Free, photo-documented inspections
A roof certification letter is a roofer’s written statement about your roof’s condition at the time of a hands-on inspection, backed by photos. BRC Construction inspects the roof, shows you what we found, can make any needed repairs, and then provides your letter.
A roof certification letter puts a roofer’s findings in writing. Instead of a guess from the curb, it describes the roof’s condition as we found it up close on the day of the inspection, and photos from that inspection back it up.
Home sellers often get one so buyers have straight answers about the roof. Buyers ask for one when the home inspection flags the roof or nobody knows how old it is. Real estate agents commonly request them, and property managers sometimes want a roofer’s written view too.
A letter isn’t the same as a general home inspection. A home inspector covers the whole house and may view the roof from the ground, a ladder or a drone. A roof certification comes from a licensed roofing contractor who looks only at the roof, up close, and can make the repairs.
Owner Anthony Hill brings 30+ years of roofing experience to shingle, flat, slate and metal roofs across Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County. We’re licensed and insured (MHIC No. 92337), and our roof inspections are free and photo-documented.
When to call
When a roof inspection or certification letter helps
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You’re getting ready to sell
An inspection before you list lets you handle small problems on your own schedule and gives buyers written answers about the roof instead of guesses.
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You’re buying a home
If the home inspection report says the roof needs a closer look, a roofer can tell you what’s really going on and what any repair involves.
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Nobody knows the roof’s history
No paperwork, old patches or a stained ceiling upstairs are all good reasons to have a roofer check the roof before a big decision.
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You just want a straight answer
Not every inspection needs a letter. If your roof is getting older, a free inspection gives you photos and a clear read on its condition.
Inspection checklist
What the inspection covers
- Roof covering: missing, cracked, curling or slipped shingles and slates, granule loss and worn metal
- Flashing at chimneys, sidewalls, valleys, skylights and parapet walls
- Penetrations, including pipe boots, plumbing vents, exhaust fans and roof hatches
- Flat-roof membrane and seams: splits, blisters, punctures and ponding water
- Drainage: gutters, downspouts, drip edge, scuppers and roof drains
- Signs of leaks and soft decking, plus attic ventilation and ceiling stains where we can get inside
Roof types
What we check on each type of roof
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Asphalt shingle roofs
We look for lifted, creased, curling or cracked shingles, granule loss, nail pops and worn ridge caps, plus the valleys and step flashing.
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Flat and low-slope roofs
On EPDM rubber, TPO and modified bitumen roofs, we check seams, blisters, cracks, ponding, parapet flashing and whether drains and scuppers are clear.
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Slate roofs
We note broken, slipped or missing slates and the flashing at chimneys and valleys. Slate can crack underfoot, so we’re careful about where we step.
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Metal roofs
We check panels, seams, fasteners and rust, and the flashing where the metal meets walls, chimneys and vents.
Our process
How roof certification works
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Tell us what you need
Call or send a request and tell us why you need the inspection: a sale, a purchase, your agent’s request or peace of mind.
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Hands-on roof inspection
When it’s safe to be on the roof, we check every section, including porch, garage and addition roofs, and look in the attic or at top-floor ceilings where we can.
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Photos and a clear explanation
We go over the photos with you and explain, in plain words, what’s in good shape, what to keep an eye on and what needs repair.
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Repairs first, if needed
If we find problems, you get a free estimate backed by the photos. We can make the repairs and photograph the finished work.
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Your roof certification letter
We provide a written letter describing the roof’s condition and any repairs we made, supported by photos and ready to share.
Local know-how
What to know around Baltimore
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Baltimore City rowhomes
Many city rowhomes have flat or low-slope roofs that share parapet walls with the neighbors. We pay close attention to the parapet flashing, the joint at the party wall and the drain or scupper, which are common leak points.
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Baltimore County and Howard County homes
Colonials, split-levels and ranchers usually have asphalt shingle roofs, often with porch, garage or addition roofs tied in. We check those tie-ins closely, along with the main roof.
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Maryland weather and safe conditions
Freeze-thaw cycles crack flashing and sealant, summer heat bakes shingles and rubber pipe boots, and heavy rain and wind find weak seams. Snow or ice can hide that wear and make a roof unsafe, so we reschedule rather than guess.
Based in Pikesville, serving Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Howard County.
See the areas we serveRepair estimates
What affects repair costs
Our roof inspections are free. If we find problems, you get a free estimate for the repairs, backed by photos.
- Whether the inspection turns up repairs to make before the letter
- The type of roof and how many roof sections need repairs
- Flashing repairs at chimneys, walls or skylights
- Flat-roof seam, membrane or drainage repairs
- Soft or rotted decking under a problem area
- Roof height, steepness and safe access for the repair work
FAQ
Roof certification questions
What does a roof certification letter include?
It describes the property, the type of roof, what we found and any repairs we completed. It’s supported by photos and reflects the roof’s condition at the time of our inspection.
Who asks for a roof certification?
Home sellers, buyers and real estate agents commonly ask for one. Property managers sometimes request one too.
What happens if my roof needs repairs first?
We show you photos of each problem, explain the fix and give you an estimate. We can make the repairs, then provide the letter describing the roof’s condition.
Is a roof certification the same as a home inspection?
No. A home inspection covers the whole house. A roof certification comes from a roofing contractor who focuses only on the roof and can repair what we find.
Is your roof inspection free?
Yes. Our roof inspections are free and include photos, a clear explanation of what we found and an estimate if repairs are needed.
What if the person asking for the letter needs something specific?
Ask them for any form, checklist or wording they need and share it with us before we inspect. We’ll tell you plainly what we can put in writing based on what we see on your roof.
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Related services
Need a roofer you can trust?
Book a free, no-pressure roof inspection. We’ll show you photos of everything we find.
- MHIC No. 92337
- Licensed & insured
- GAF Certified contractor