Forensic vs Standard Roof Inspection: What Homeowners Miss

A standard inspection identifies what's visibly wrong and produces a price estimate. A forensic inspection determines why the roof is failing, applies the PCC Method (Problem, Cause, Consequence) to every finding, includes ASTM-aligned thermal imaging, and produces adjuster-grade documentation. Standard takes 10-15 minutes; forensic takes 60-90 minutes.

No. Forensic inspections require HAAG Certified Inspector credentialing, which fewer than 5% of US roofing contractors hold. The Master Level tier — what Jim Dodson holds at JDH (cert #992109047) — is the highest. Most roofers offer "inspections" that meet only the NACHI Standards of Practice baseline.

Because the NACHI Standards of Practice scope is intentionally limited to visible exterior components. It doesn't require physical roof walking, attic moisture measurement, thermal imaging, or cause-of-loss analysis. Standard inspections are designed to catch the obvious; forensic inspections are designed to catch what's invisible from the ground.

No. About 1 in 4 JDH forensic inspections result in zero recommended work because the forensic data doesn't support intervention. Another segment results in a targeted repair instead of a full replacement via the 35% Rule. JDH is salaried, not commission-based, so there's no incentive to push replacement when repair is the right answer.

Plan for 60-90 minutes on-site. The on-roof phase is typically 30-45 minutes; the rest is property review, attic verification, documentation, and the live driveway review. The written report is emailed before the inspector leaves your property. See the full 7-phase walkthrough.

Photos document static conditions; video documents the inspection methodology itself. GoPro narrated video lets the homeowner verify the inspector actually walked the roof, what they looked at, and the reasoning behind each finding. It's also what makes the report defensible to a third-party reviewer (insurance adjuster, structural engineer, second-opinion contractor).

Yes, that's the primary use case. Insurance adjusters use the HAAG forensic methodology themselves, so a report written by a HAAG Master Certified inspector speaks the adjuster's documentation language directly. For storm-related losses, JDH also meets your adjuster on the roof. See the full insurance claims process.

Industry-wide, yes — forensic inspections are typically $400-$800 vs $125-$376 for a standard. JDH is the exception: forensic inspections are free for homeowners because we're a roofing contractor, not a standalone inspection service. The inspection is the conversation that determines whether work is needed. Standalone certification letters for third-party requesters (lenders, agents, brokers) cost $250.

JDH's inspection team is led by Inspector Manager Brian McClees. The forensic methodology was authored by owner Jim Dodson, who holds HAAG Certified Inspector: Master Level credentials (#992109047). The field team consists of four Design Specialists trained on the 7-phase protocol, each with 5-15 years of trade experience.

Use the form at the bottom of this page or visit the free inspection scheduling page. JDH responds same-day during business hours and typically schedules inspections within 24-72 hours. We cover 9 counties across Maryland and Northern Virginia. See the service area map.