Roof Inspection in Des Moines: Free vs. $98 Service Call (2026)

Not every roof inspection is the same. Some calls are about storm damage or replacing an aging roof. Others are about finding one leak, one pipe boot, or one flashing problem without turning it into a sales pitch.

Here is how Bakeris handles roof inspections in Des Moines, when they are free for storm damage or full replacement estimates, when the $98 repair diagnosis applies, and what we check before we recommend anything.

The Short Answer: When the Inspection Is Free

A Bakeris inspection is free when the appointment is for suspected storm damage or a full roof replacement estimate. If the issue is one leak, one pipe boot, loose shingles, or another repair-only problem, the $98 repair service call applies.

Those storm and replacement inspections are free because the scope is bigger than a single repair. We are looking at the whole roof system, documenting the condition, and explaining whether the next step is replacement, storm documentation, targeted repair, or no work at all.

Common free-inspection situations include:

• Hail or wind moved through your neighborhood
• You are seeing missing shingles after a storm
• You are thinking about replacing a 15- to 25-year-old roof
• You are buying or selling a home and need a full replacement estimate
• You need a written replacement estimate for planning or financing

The goal is not to turn every inspection into a job. If the roof has years left, we tell you that. A clean inspection is useful too.

When the $98 Repair Service Call Applies

The $98 service call applies when the job is diagnostic repair work. That means you have a leak, stain, loose shingle, cracked pipe boot, chimney flashing issue, or another specific problem you want tracked down and fixed.

That fee covers the trip, the hands-on diagnosis, and the time it takes to find the real source. Roof leaks are not always directly above the ceiling stain. Water can enter at a vent, travel down a rafter, and show up six feet away inside the house. A useful repair call is not just looking from the driveway and guessing.

If you approve the repair, the $98 is credited toward the approved repair invoice. That keeps the diagnosis honest. We can tell you, "This is a small repair," without needing to inflate the job to justify a free visit.

For typical repair ranges, see our Des Moines roof repair cost guide. If you already know you need a repair team, start with our roof repair in Des Moines page.

What We Check During a Residential Roof Inspection

A good inspection is a system check, not just a shingle check. On a normal Des Moines home, we look at:

• Shingle condition, including curling, cracking, missing tabs, bruising, and granule loss
• Pipe boots, exhaust vents, ridge caps, and other penetrations
• Chimney, skylight, wall, and valley flashing
• Gutters, downspouts, drip edge, and signs of overflow
• Decking softness or movement underfoot
• Attic ventilation, moisture trails, and daylight through the roof deck when attic access is available
• Storm indicators like dents in soft metals, broken seal strips, and wind creases

Photos matter. If we find something, we document it so you can see what we saw. If the roof looks good, we can document that too, which is helpful before storm season or during a home sale.

Why Des Moines Roofs Need More Than a Driveway Glance

Central Iowa roofs take a beating. The NOAA NCEI Storm Events data compiled on our Iowa hail statistics page shows Iowa recorded 3,736 hail events and 4,928 wind events from 2015 through 2025. Polk County alone had 171 hail reports in that period.

That does not mean every storm damages every roof. It means a quick look from the ground misses too much. Hail bruising can be invisible from the driveway. Wind damage can look like a lifted corner until you touch the shingle and feel the broken seal. A failing pipe boot may look fine from ten feet away and still be letting water into the attic.

Des Moines also has a wide mix of housing stock. A Beaverdale roof with older decking, a South Side ranch, and a newer west-metro build fail in different ways. The inspection has to match the roof.

When You Should Schedule an Inspection

The right time is before the problem becomes urgent. Call for an inspection if:

• A ceiling stain appears after rain or snow melt
• You find shingles or ridge caps in the yard
• Gutters, vents, or downspouts show fresh hail dents
• The roof is 15 years old and you do not know its condition
• You are getting ready to list the house
• You bought the home and inherited an unknown roof history
• Your neighbors are getting storm inspections after the same weather event

If water is actively coming in, treat that as urgent. We can help with temporary protection and then diagnose the permanent fix.

What Happens After the Inspection

You should leave the inspection with one of four answers.

No work needed. The roof is doing its job. Keep an eye on it and inspect again after major weather.

Targeted repair. One or two items need attention, like a pipe boot, flashing detail, or small shingle area. That is where the $98 service call model makes sense.

Replacement planning. The roof is aging out, the repair math no longer works, or there are multiple failure points. We explain the scope and give a written replacement estimate. For the full process, read our roof replacement process guide.

Storm documentation. If hail or wind caused the damage, we photograph what we found and explain the construction scope. Coverage decisions belong to you and your insurance carrier; we do not negotiate claims for you. For the storm-specific version, read our storm damage roof inspection guide or start with storm damage roof repair in Des Moines.

FAQ: Roof Inspections in Des Moines

Do I need to get on the roof before calling?

No. Please do not climb onto the roof. Take ground-level photos if you can do it safely, check gutters and downspouts for obvious dents, and look in the attic for water stains if access is easy. Leave the roof walking to someone with the right shoes, ladder setup, and insurance.

How long does a roof inspection take?

Most residential inspections take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on roof size, pitch, attic access, and how many problem areas we need to document. A leak diagnosis can take longer because the water entry point is not always where the stain shows up inside.

Does the $98 go toward the repair?

Yes. If you approve the repair, the $98 service call is credited toward the approved repair invoice. If the inspection is for storm damage or a full replacement estimate, there is no service-call fee.

Should I call insurance before or after the inspection?

If you are not sure whether the damage is storm-related, get the roof documented first. Photos and a written construction scope help you make a better decision before calling your carrier. For policy and coverage questions, talk to your agent or insurance company.

Get the Right Inspection, Not a Sales Pitch

If you need a straight answer on your roof, call (515) 967-8199 or request an inspection online. Bakeris Roofing has inspected, repaired, and replaced residential roofs across Des Moines and Central Iowa since 1990.

Start with roof inspections, roof repair in Des Moines, roof replacement in Des Moines, or storm damage roof repair in Des Moines.