What is in a photo report
An American Roofing Pro photo report is a PDF document delivered by email the next business day after job completion. It documents what was done, with photos, in a format the homeowner can keep for the life of the property. Specific contents:
- Job summary: project address, dates, crew lead, scope of work completed
- Before photos: condition of the roof on the first day, including any damage or defects
- During photos: tear off, deck condition, underlayment installation, flashing details
- After photos: completed roof from multiple angles, including drone shots when applicable
- Materials installed: brand, model, color, any warranty registration information
- Permit and inspection sign offs if applicable
- Final walkthrough notes from the senior roofer or owner who closed the project
- Recommendations for ongoing maintenance
Why we do this
Three reasons:
1. The homeowner deserves a record
A roof replacement is one of the largest exterior projects a homeowner ever does. The work happens up on the roof, away from view. The photo report shows the homeowner what they paid for, including the parts that get covered up by the next layer.
2. The record holds up at home sale
When the home is eventually sold, the buyer or buyer's agent typically asks about the roof. A homeowner who can produce a photo report from a documented project closes faster and at higher value than a homeowner who can only say the roof was done some years ago.
3. The record supports any future warranty or insurance discussion
If a material defect appears years later, the photo report documents that the original install used the correct materials and methods. If a storm damages the roof, the photo report documents the pre damage condition. The record protects the homeowner.
How the photo report is delivered
By email, as a PDF attachment, within one business day of job completion. The email includes a brief summary of the project and a link to download the PDF if the attachment is large. The PDF is also stored on our internal system, so if the homeowner loses the original, we can resend at any time.
What a sample photo report looks like in practice
A typical 2,500 sq ft composition shingle replacement photo report runs 12 to 20 pages and includes 30 to 50 photos. A tile roof replacement runs longer because tile work has more documented detail steps. A repair job photo report is shorter, typically 4 to 8 pages with 8 to 15 photos.
Who else does this
Very few roofing contractors deliver formal photo reports as standard. Many promise documentation in writing and never deliver. We made the photo report a standard deliverable in 1993 because it differentiated us then. Three decades later, it still does.
Want to see a sample report
We do not publish complete homeowner photo reports because the addresses are private. If you would like to see a redacted sample report before scheduling a project, ask during your free in person estimate and we can share one with the homeowner names and addresses removed.