⌂ RoofingCalculatorHQ

Roof Inspection Cost Calculator

Estimate Canadian 2026 roof inspection cost by roof size, inspection type (visual, drone, thermal, moisture, comprehensive), pitch, material, and storey — sized to NBC 2020 and CRCA guidance for pre-purchase, post-storm, and insurance claim reports.

Roof Inspection Cost Calculator

Estimate Canadian 2026 roof inspection cost by roof size, inspection type (visual, drone, thermal, moisture, comprehensive), pitch, material, and storey — sized to NBC 2020 and CRCA guidance for pre-purchase, post-storm, and insurance claim reports.

Estimated inspection cost
$360
Range: $306 – $432
inspection + report + add-ons
Inspection fee
$280
Written report
$80
Insurance doc
$0
Drone scan
$0
Thermal scan
$0
Moisture survey
$0

What this calculator estimates

This calculator quotes the all-in installed price for a residential roof inspection in 2026 Canadian dollars. It separates the bill into the line items real CRCA-member contractors invoice:

  • Inspection fee — base walk-over fee scaled by roof size, pitch, material, storey count, and inspection type.
  • Written report — PDF report with photos and findings.
  • Insurance-grade documentation — claim-ready format for Intact, Aviva Canada, Co-operators, TD, Wawanesa adjusters.
  • Drone aerial scan add-on — Transport Canada Advanced RPAS pilot operation.
  • Thermal scan add-on — pre-dawn or post-sunset IR sweep for heat-loss and ice-dam risk mapping.
  • Moisture probe survey — dielectric resistance probing to quantify trapped water.
  • Rush / next-day priority — 25 percent surcharge for fast-turnaround service.

A minimum service-call fee of C$245 applies in most Canadian metros and rises to C$320 in downtown Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montréal — small inspections hit the floor because mobilising a roofer, vehicle, ladders, and report time is the dominant cost on small jobs.

How to use it

  1. Pick roof size — small (under 1,500 sqft / 140 m²), medium (1,500–2,500 sqft default), large (2,500–4,000 sqft), or very large (over 4,000 sqft).
  2. Pick inspection type — visual walk-over (standard), drone aerial, thermal infrared, moisture probe, or comprehensive bundle.
  3. Set roof pitch — low (under 4/12), moderate (4/12–9/12 default), or steep (over 9/12, rope access).
  4. Pick roof material — asphalt shingle, concrete or clay tile, metal standing seam, flat membrane (TPO/EPDM/BUR/SBS), or slate.
  5. Set storey count — 1.0 single, 1.1 two, 1.3 three or higher.
  6. Toggle written report if you want a PDF deliverable (default ON).
  7. Toggle insurance-grade if filing a claim or supporting a real estate negotiation.
  8. Toggle add-on scans if you chose a visual base but also want drone, thermal, or moisture.
  9. Toggle rush for next-day priority service.

Typical 2026 Canadian roof inspection cost ranges

These ranges reflect 2026 nationwide pricing from HomeStars, Renomii, CRCA and provincial contractor surveys, and Q1 2026 quotes from major Canadian metros.

Scope (medium 2,000 sqft, moderate pitch, asphalt, single-storey)2026 installed price
Visual walk-over with written reportC$280 – C$455
Drone aerial scan with reportC$380 – C$650
Thermal infrared scan with reportC$565 – C$1,000
Moisture probe survey with reportC$520 – C$925
Comprehensive (visual + drone + thermal + moisture)C$830 – C$1,650
Add insurance-grade documentation+C$165 – C$245
Pre-purchase CRCA-member inspectionC$345 – C$650
Post-storm hail/wind damage assessmentC$430 – C$1,050

Add 10 percent for two-storey access, 30 percent for three-storey (common in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal), and 30 percent for steep roofs above 9/12 that require rope access.

Cost drivers

Inspection type. Visual walk-over is cheapest. Drone surveys cost about 35 percent more due to equipment, Transport Canada Advanced Operations RPAS certification, and image processing. Thermal IR roughly doubles visual cost. Moisture probes cost 75 percent more than visual.

Roof size. A 1,500 sqft bungalow with a simple gable takes 45 minutes. A 4,000 sqft two-storey with valleys and dormers takes two hours.

Pitch. Above 9/12, most inspectors require harness, rope, or roof jacks for provincial OHS compliance (Ontario Reg 213/91, Alberta OHS, BC OHSR Part 11). Set-up adds 30 to 45 minutes; inspection itself takes 50 percent longer.

Material. Slate is most expensive (fragility). Clay and concrete tile add 10 percent. Metal standing seam adds 5 percent. Flat membrane (SBS modified-bitumen, TPO, EPDM) is fastest.

Storey count. Two-storey adds 10 percent. Three-storey adds 30 percent due to 9-to-10-metre extension ladders, stand-off stabilisers, and the time premium for working at height.

Climate zone. Quebec, the Maritimes, and northern Ontario require ice-dam-aware inspectors (premium of 10 to 15 percent). Coastal BC requires moss and moisture expertise. Prairies require hail-belt expertise.

Geography. Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary CBD run 25 to 40 percent above national. Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax are near national. Rural areas add travel surcharge (C$1.00 to C$2.00 per km beyond 25 km).

When to get a roof inspection

Pre-purchase. Every offer on a home with a roof over 12 years old in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, BC, and the Maritimes should include a roof-specific inspection contingency beyond the standard CAHPI / InterNACHI-Canada home inspection. C$345 to C$575 is the cheapest insurance in Canadian property purchase.

Post-storm. After major hail in southern Alberta or southern Ontario, after ice storms in Quebec / Maritimes, or after wind events anywhere, get a CRCA-member inspection within 30 days. Most policies have a 12-month claim window.

Pre-sale. Sellers with a clean condition report close faster and avoid surprise discoveries.

Routine. Every 3 to 5 years for asphalt under 15 years old. Every 1 to 2 years for any roof over 20 years old. Annual for any flat membrane, parapet-wall, or low-slope commercial roof.

Before re-roofing. A moisture survey before flat-roof re-roofing tells you whether tear-off or overlay is appropriate.

Insurance renewal. Some insurers (Intact, Aviva, Wawanesa, RSA) request a condition report at renewal for homes with roofs over 15 years old in known hail and ice-storm zones.

What to expect from a professional Canadian roofer

A competent CRCA-member roofer will:

  1. Walk every accessible plane (or fly drone where unsafe).
  2. Inspect every penetration: chimney, plumbing stack, vent, valley, skylight.
  3. Photograph every elevation and every defect.
  4. Probe step-flashing reglets, valley flashings, drip-edge, and ridge ventilation.
  5. Inspect ice-dam history zones: eave underlayment, gutter back, soffit-fascia transition.
  6. Inspect from the attic: stains on decking, rusted nails, insulation R-value, ventilation balance per NBC 9.19, ice-shield extent.
  7. Identify and date remaining service life with photos.
  8. Deliver a written report within 48 to 72 hours.

Red flags: refusal to walk the roof, refusal to enter the attic, no written report, no CRCA / provincial association membership, and any “free inspection” tied to a sales pitch for replacement.

Canadian codes and standards

  • NBC 2020 Section 9.26 — Roofing.
  • NBC 2020 Section 9.19 — Roof spaces (ventilation balance).
  • NBC 2020 Section 9.27 — Cladding.
  • CSA A123 series — Asphalt shingle and modified-bitumen standards.
  • CSA O80 — Wood preservation (decking).
  • Provincial OHS Regulations — Working at height (Ontario Reg 213/91, Alberta OHS, BC OHSR Part 11, etc.).
  • Transport Canada Advanced Operations RPAS — Drone pilot certification for commercial aerial inspections.
  • CRCA Technical Bulletins and Roofing Specifications Manual — Industry guidance.
  • HAAG Engineering damage assessment standards — For storm damage forensic inspection.

A contractor offering a “free inspection” who insists on starting work that day is the most common Canadian roofing scam pattern — provincial consumer protection offices and the BBB have issued warnings, particularly after hail events in southern Alberta and ice events in Ontario / Quebec.

Diagnostic walk-through

  1. Kerb and binocular check — algae streaks, lifted shingles, missing tabs, ice-dam ridge zones.
  2. Eave and gutter check — ice-shield exposure, gutter sag, fascia rot, soffit ventilation.
  3. Field walk — granule loss, hail bruising (soft thumb-test), nail backout, blistering.
  4. Penetration check — chimney apron + step + counter flashing, skylight curb, plumbing-stack collar.
  5. Valley check — open vs closed-cut detail, ice-shield exposure, debris dam.
  6. Ridge and gable check — ridge cap nail exposure, ridge vent baffle integrity.
  7. Attic check — sheathing stains, rusted nails, insulation R-value (NBC 9.36 minimum), ventilation balance, ice-shield extent (NBC 9.26.5).

Avoiding scams and overcharging

The free-inspection-then-replacement-sales-pitch is the most reported residential roofing scam in Canada, especially after hail in southern Alberta and ice storms in Ontario / Quebec. Red flags:

  • Unsolicited door-knocker after a storm claiming “wind damage.”
  • Pressure to sign a contract on first visit.
  • Refusal to provide a provincial contractor license number, WSIB / CSST clearance, or insurance certificate.
  • Verbal-only findings, no written report.
  • Quotes escalating from C$400 of “minor repair” to C$22,000 of full replacement at first visit.
  • Demand for cash deposit, especially over 25 percent.

Always pay for the inspection separately from any repair quote. Get a written report. Verify the contractor’s licence and WSIB / CSST clearance independently. If you suspect storm damage, contact your insurance adjuster before signing any contract. Insurance-deductible waivers are illegal in most provinces.

Sources: 2026 HomeStars Roof Inspection Cost Guide; Renomii 2026 pricing data; CRCA Technical Bulletins; NBC 2020 Sections 9.19, 9.26, 9.27, 9.36; CSA A123 series; provincial OHS regulations; Transport Canada Advanced Operations RPAS; HAAG Engineering damage assessment standards.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a roof inspection cost in Canada in 2026?
Most Canadian homeowners pay C$245 to C$575 for a standard visual roof inspection on a medium 2,000 sqft / 180 m² single-storey home in 2026. Drone aerial scans run C$345 to C$775, thermal infrared inspections C$520 to C$1,150, moisture probe surveys C$465 to C$1,000, and full comprehensive inspections C$780 to C$1,800. Two-storey homes add 10 percent, three-storey add 30 percent. Steep roofs above 9/12 add 30 percent for rope access. A minimum service-call fee of C$245 applies in most provinces. Source: 2026 HomeStars, Renomii, and CRCA contractor surveys plus Q1 2026 quotes from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montréal.
Should I get a separate roof inspection beyond a pre-purchase home inspection?
Yes. A CAHPI or InterNACHI-Canada home inspection typically examines the roof from ground level and the attic only — the inspector rarely walks the roof and almost never identifies hail damage, ice-dam history, lifted asphalt shingles, or hidden flashing failure. For properties with roofs over 12 years old, properties with concrete tile or slate, or properties in hail belts (southern Alberta, southern Ontario, Saskatchewan), a separate roof inspection by a CRCA-member roofer costs C$345 to C$575 and can save C$12,000 to C$30,000 in undisclosed repair costs.
What's the CRCA and why does it matter?
The Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) is the national trade body for roofing. CRCA members are vetted on WSIB / CSST coverage, qualifications, and code-of-practice compliance. Their reports are widely accepted by insurers (Intact, Aviva Canada, Co-operators, TD Insurance, Wawanesa) for claim documentation. Provincially, organizations like OIRCA (Ontario), AIRCA (Alberta), and ARCASM (Maritimes) cover local regulation. For HAAG-certified inspections (the North-American standard for storm damage forensics), look for HAAG Engineering certification on top of CRCA membership.
When should I get a thermal or moisture inspection?
Thermal infrared inspections find heat-loss signatures, ice-dam risk zones, and trapped moisture in flat membrane roofs that visual inspection cannot detect. Moisture probe surveys use dielectric resistance meters to measure water content in insulation and decking. Use thermal when: the roof is over 15 years old, when you have a history of ice damming, when you see interior ceiling stains without obvious source, after a major storm, or for any low-slope flat-membrane roof. Use moisture probes before re-roofing a flat or low-slope roof to know whether full strip or overlay is appropriate. For a pre-purchase visual on a 5-year-old asphalt roof you do not need either.
Does home insurance cover the cost of a roof inspection?
Home insurance typically does NOT pay for routine roof inspections — that is considered maintenance. However: if you have hail, wind, or ice-dam damage and need a written roofer report to support a claim, most major Canadian insurers (Intact, Aviva, TD, Co-operators, Wawanesa, RBC) will reimburse the inspection fee as part of the claim payout (up to C$500 to C$700). File the claim first, ask the adjuster in writing whether inspection fees are covered, and keep the receipt. Comprehensive policies generally reimburse; basic policies often do not.
How long does a roof inspection take?
A standard visual inspection of a 2,000 sqft single-storey asphalt or metal roof takes 45 to 90 minutes on site, plus another hour for the report. Drone aerial scans add 20 to 30 minutes for flight planning and capture (Transport Canada Advanced Operations RPAS Pilot Certificate required for commercial work). Thermal IR scans must happen before sunrise or after sunset for thermal contrast — they add 60 to 120 minutes. Moisture probe surveys add 30 to 90 minutes. A comprehensive inspection on a medium home takes 3 to 5 hours on site. Steep roofs and complex multi-plane geometries can double the time.
Can I inspect my own roof?
You can do a binocular and attic check yourself: from the ground, look for missing or curled shingles, lifted flashing, dark streaks, and obvious sagging. From the attic, look for staining on decking around chimneys, vents, valleys, and skylights, and inspect insulation for damp spots. What you cannot replicate: walking the field to find hail bruises before they fail, probing the integrity of step-flashing reglets, or finding trapped moisture under SBS modified-bitumen or single-ply. The DIY path is fine for routine 6-month checks. For pre-purchase, post-storm, and any documented condition report, hire a CRCA-member contractor.
What should be in a written Canadian roof inspection report?
A professional report should include: photos of every elevation and every roof penetration (chimney, plumbing stack, vent, valley, skylight, dormer); identification of the roof system (material, layer count, manufacturer, approximate age); ventilation balance assessment (intake vs exhaust per NBC 9.19); ice-dam risk and existing ice-dam history; itemised list of defects with photos and locations; expected remaining service life; recommended repairs prioritised by urgency; cost estimates per recommendation; insurance-relevant findings (hail, wind, ice-dam) clearly flagged. Reports under 8 pages on a typical home are usually too thin — demand 12 to 25 pages with embedded photos for any inspection over C$350.

Related calculators