What does this roofing final checklist cover?

13 items across 4 sections, covering field and edges, penetrations and flashing, drainage, closeout and warranty. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The roofing foreman at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After the finish material and all flashing and edge metal are installed, before turnover and warranty issuance.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

9 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 15 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a roofing final inspection?

Edge metal seams left unsealed or fasteners exposed where the spec calls for concealed fastening. Debris and fastener scraps left on the roof and in gutters, found by the owner instead of the closeout walk. Drains not flood-tested, so a clogged strainer or low spot isn't found until the first storm.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Roofing

Roofing final inspection checklist

Roofing final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against NRCA guidance, manufacturer installation requirements. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Field and edges

Field material laid straight with consistent exposure
Courses or panels aligned, exposure consistent across the roof, no lifted or cracked pieces.
Edge metal, drip edge and coping seated and fastened
Seams lapped in the direction of water flow, fasteners at the spacing called for, no oil-canning at coping caps.
Ridge, hip and termination laps fastened and sealed
Ridge, hip and rake caps lapped away from the prevailing wind with each fastener covered, or on low slope, membrane terminations and laps sealed at their ends.

Penetrations and flashing

Pipe boots, curbs and stacks sealed and counterflashed
No visible gaps at the collar, sealant tooled and continuous, counterflashing covering the base flashing.
Wall and parapet counterflashing seated and sealed
Where the roof meets a wall or parapet, counterflashing is set in the reglet or held with bar, sealant continuous along the top edge, laps running with the water.
No photo
Equipment supports and pipe stands isolated from the membrane
Where equipment or piping sits on the roof, supports rest on pads or stands the manufacturer allows, no bare metal, wood or block on the roof surface.
No photo
Roof walked for other trades' damage before turnover
Areas where mechanical, electrical, solar or vent crews worked checked for punctures, scuffs and dropped-tool marks; anything found repaired by the roofer.

Drainage

Drains, scuppers and gutters clear and flow-tested
Water introduced at the high point drains fully with no ponding at low spots after a set time.
Roof surface free of debris and fastener scraps
No loose fasteners, cut-offs or packaging left on the roof or caught in gutters.
Each roof outlet connected and guarded at its discharge
Gutters pitched to outlets with downspouts tied to splash blocks or the storm line, or drain strainers and clamping rings bolted tight and scupper boxes connected.

Closeout and warranty

Baseline photo set taken of each roof area at completion
Wide shots of every roof area plus close-ups at penetrations, drains and edges, filed as the reference for future maintenance walks.
Manufacturer's final inspection done and its punch items closed
Rep's final report on file where the warranty requires one, each listed item marked corrected before turnover.
No photo
Warranty application and roof as-built plan submitted
Warranty paperwork, roof plan with drain and penetration locations, and maintenance requirements handed to the owner's closeout file.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Edge metal seams left unsealed or fasteners exposed where the spec calls for concealed fastening.
Debris and fastener scraps left on the roof and in gutters, found by the owner instead of the closeout walk.
Drains not flood-tested, so a clogged strainer or low spot isn't found until the first storm.

Verified against

NRCA roofing guidance

Common questions

6 answers

What does this roofing final checklist cover?: 13 items across 4 sections, covering field and edges, penetrations and flashing, drainage, closeout and warranty. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The roofing foreman at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After the finish material and all flashing and edge metal are installed, before turnover and warranty issuance.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 9 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 15 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a roofing final inspection?: Edge metal seams left unsealed or fasteners exposed where the spec calls for concealed fastening. Debris and fastener scraps left on the roof and in gutters, found by the owner instead of the closeout walk. Drains not flood-tested, so a clogged strainer or low spot isn't found until the first storm.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Roofing Rough-inRoofing rough-in inspection checklistDeck condition, fastening and underlayment verified before the finish layer goes on14 items18 photos Roofing Pre-coverRoofing pre-cover inspection checklistFlashing and underlayment details verified before the finish roofing layer covers them14 items13 photos Roofing PMRoofing preventive maintenance checklistRecurring roof walk to catch debris, drainage and membrane problems before they leak15 items12 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 15 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.