How a JDH Forensic Roof Inspection Actually Works

Drones see the surface. They don't feel underfoot deflection where decking has weakened, can't lift a shingle to check sealant bond, and can't test flashing flexibility. We use drones as a supporting tool (great for aerial overview and hard-to-reach valleys), but the on-roof walk is what makes the report defensible to an insurance adjuster or a structural engineer. Drone-only inspections are common because they're cheap to deliver, not because they're better. See the methodology comparison in Forensic vs Standard Inspections.

PCC stands for Problem, Cause, Consequence. Every finding on the report gets all three. "There's a crack" isn't useful. "There's a crack in the step flashing at the chimney, caused by differential thermal movement between brick and metal, which will allow water entry into the framing within 12-18 months" is useful. It tells you what to do and how urgent it is. The framework also makes our reports usable by insurance adjusters who need cause-of-loss documented.

If a repair costs less than 35% of a full replacement and we can document it as a long-term solution (not a band-aid that triggers leaks elsewhere), we recommend repair. Above 35%, or for systems too brittle to safely manipulate without creating new failures, replacement is the more durable answer. The threshold is based on real outcomes from our 1,460+ inspections, not a marketing number. Full breakdown in Repair vs Replacement.

You get the inspection report on file and we recommend no action. The "no-action protocol" is explicit: if forensic data shows the roof is performing as intended, we say so. About 1 in 4 of our inspections result in zero work for JDH. We're not paid on commission, so there's no incentive to invent a problem.

Yes. Our inspectors hold HAAG Master Certification, the same credential most insurance adjusters carry. The report structure (cause-of-loss, supporting photos, measurement-based degradation findings, pre-loss condition documentation) meets standard adjuster documentation requirements. If your loss is storm-related, we will also meet your adjuster on the roof so nothing gets missed or downgraded during their inspection. See our insurance claims process for more detail.

Plan for 60 to 90 minutes on-site. The on-roof phase is typically 30 to 45 minutes; the rest is property review, attic interior work, documentation, and the live driveway review. You'll have the written report by email before the inspector leaves your property.

Steep pitches, ice, snow, recent rain, or compromised decking are all reasons to defer the on-roof phase. When that happens, we either reschedule for safer conditions, use a lift or scaffolding if access is needed urgently, or perform a limited drone-and-attic inspection with that limitation explicitly noted in the report. We don't fake an on-roof inspection from the ground.