Roof Inspections Christchurch

Most people only think about their roof when it leaks. A roof inspection turns that around. We look at the whole roof on a dry day, find what is wearing out and what is fine, and put it in writing with photos you can keep, share with a buyer or send to an insurer.

The report tells you what the roof needs now, what can wait, and roughly how long it has left. If repairs will extend its life, we say so. If it is close to the end, we explain why and what a roof replacement would involve, so you can plan and budget rather than react to a leak.

Pricing: every roof gets a free on-site measure and an itemised written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.

Roof Inspections by Cheeky's Roofers roofers in Christchurch

Who a roof report is for

Different people want different answers from the same roof, so we shape the report around the reason you are asking:

Homeowners: how long the roof has left and what maintenance or repairs will stretch it further
Buyers: what the roof is likely to need in the next few years, before you commit
Sellers: an independent report to share with buyers, plus a short list of fixes worth doing before listing
Landlords and body corporates: a condition baseline and a ranked maintenance plan
Insurance claims: storm or impact damage recorded with photos and a scope of repair

What we inspect

Every inspection follows the same core checklist, adjusted for the roof type. On steel that means the coating and any corrosion, laps, fixings and washers, ridging, barge and apron flashings, penetrations, valleys and spouting. On tiles it means cracked or slipped tiles, ridge bedding and pointing, valleys and the state of the underlay. On membrane areas we check seams, upstands, outlets and overflows.

Where access is safe we also go into the roof space, because many problems show there first: staining on framing, condensation marks on the underside of steel, daylight through the roofing, and tired or torn underlay. BRANZ has shown how condensation can form under a metal roof when the roof space is cold and damp. It can look like a leak but needs a different fix, which our roof ventilation service deals with.

How It Works

Book a time and tell us why you need the report

On-site inspection of the roof, flashings, spouting and roof space where safe

Photos labelled and findings ranked by urgency

Written report sent to you, with repair or replace advice

Optional follow-up call to talk through the findings

What the written report includes

You get a written report with labelled photos of each issue, a summary of overall condition and recommendations ranked by urgency. Where repairs are needed we describe what they involve, so you can get comparable quotes from anyone, not just us. Where the roof is near the end of its life, we explain how we reached that view and how long maintenance is likely to keep it going.

For context, the New Zealand standard for residential property inspections, NZS 4306, describes a visual, non-invasive inspection that reports significant defects, gradual deterioration and significant maintenance needs. A roof report works in the same spirit but goes deeper on the roof. Like any visual inspection it is a picture of the roof on the day, not a guarantee against future problems.

Common problems on Christchurch roofs

Christchurch roofs carry the marks of the city's history. Heavy concrete tile roofs on older houses are common, and research after the 2011 earthquake found that heavy tile roofs and brick chimneys caused much of the damage to houses. Many chimneys were damaged or brought down in the Canterbury earthquakes, so old chimney openings that have been closed off, patched sections of roofing and newer flashings next to older ones are common. We check that those details are still watertight.

Around 67,000 homes went through the earthquake repair programme run for the Earthquake Commission, so a repaired roof is normal here and not a warning sign in itself. What matters is the condition of the roof today, which is what the report records. Under the Building Code, roof cladding is expected to last at least 15 years, and many roofs we look at are well past that. Some older materials, including Super Six fibre cement and some decramastic, can contain asbestos. If we suspect it, we note it and recommend testing before any repair, cleaning or replacement.

Buying, selling and heritage homes

A pre-purchase roof report is worth having on any house you are serious about, and especially on one that has had earthquake repairs or an extension. We record what has been done to the roof, what is original and what is likely to need attention first, so the price you offer reflects the roof you are buying. If a house is a scheduled heritage item or sits in one of Christchurch's Residential Heritage Areas, changing the roof material may need checking with the council, and we note that in the report when it applies.

Each council issues its own building consents and Code Compliance Certificates: Christchurch City Council in the city, Selwyn District Council for towns such as Rolleston and Lincoln, and Waimakariri District Council for Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Pegasus. If roof work appears to have been done without the paperwork you would expect, we flag it so you can ask the right questions.

Cost, storms and insurance

A roof report for a homeowner who is also getting a repair or re-roof quote is part of our free measure. Standalone reports for buyers, sellers, insurers and body corporates take longer to write and are priced before we visit, based on roof size and complexity, height and access, whether the roof space can be reached, how fast you need it and how much detail you want. Ask through our contact page.

Canterbury's nor'wester can reach storm force, and southerlies occasionally bring snow and hard frost to the plains. After a weather event, insurers generally want evidence of the damage and a clear scope of work. We photograph the damage, separate storm damage from existing wear, and give you a report to lodge with your claim. If the roof needs making safe first, our storm damage roof repairs team does that before the full report is written.

Why Choose Cheeky's Roofers for Roof Inspections

Written by roofers

The report goes further into flashings, fixings, underlay and spouting than a general building inspection.

Photos of every finding

Each issue is photographed and labelled, so you can see what we saw.

Straight repair or replace advice

We tell you when a roof has years left and when it does not, with the reasons.

Useful to anyone

The scope is written so you can get comparable quotes from any roofer, not just us.

Roof Inspections FAQs

How long does a roof inspection take?

Time on site depends on the size and pitch of the roof and whether the roof space can be reached. We give you an estimate when you book, and the written report follows the visit.

Is a roof report the same as a building inspection?

No. A general building inspection covers the whole house at a lighter level. A roof report goes into much more detail on the roof, flashings, spouting and roof space.

Will you walk on my tile roof?

Only where it is safe and only on the parts of the tile that bear weight. Where walking risks breaking tiles, we inspect from ladders, edges and the roof space instead.

Can you tell how long my roof has left?

We give a reasoned estimate based on the material, its condition and the exposure, and explain what would extend it. It is a professional view, not a guarantee.

Should I get a roof report on a house with earthquake repairs?

It is a sensible step. Repaired roofs are common in Christchurch, and a report shows you what was done and what condition the roof is in now.

Do you check for asbestos?

We note materials that might contain asbestos, such as Super Six or some decramastic, and recommend testing before any work is planned.

Roof Inspections Across Christchurch

We cover every region: Central Christchurch, North Christchurch, East and Coastal Christchurch, South Christchurch and Port Hills, West Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri.

Related Roofing Services

Roof Inspections Guides

See the roof replacement cost guide or every service we offer.

Sources and further reading