What Is a HAAG Certified Roof Inspection? A Guide for North Idaho Homeowners and Buyers
If you're buying a home in North Idaho or dealing with storm damage, you may hear the phrase "HAAG certified inspection." It sounds technical, and most homeowners haven't heard of it until they need one. Here's what it means, what you get from one, and when it's worth asking for.
- HAAG is a forensic engineering and consulting company founded in 1924 in Dallas, Texas. It also trains roofing professionals through its Haag Certified Inspector program.
- The program's three-day courses cover residential roofs, commercial roofs, and wind damage, with testing to make sure inspectors can assess damage.
- A HAAG certified inspection documents your roof's condition and separates storm damage from wear and installation problems.
- Lakeview is HAAG certified for residential and commercial inspections, and our inspections are free.
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What Is HAAG?
A forensic engineering and consulting company founded in 1924 in Dallas, Texas, by civil engineer Walter G. Haag. It describes itself as a multi-faceted forensic engineering and consulting company and is now part of Salas O'Brien.
HAAG says it provides professional services to the legal and insurance industries, as well as to corporations, manufacturers, government agencies, and individuals.
What Does "HAAG Certified" Mean for a Roof Inspector?
The inspector has completed HAAG's Haag Certified Inspector training. HAAG describes intensive three-day courses on commercial roofs, residential roofs, and wind damage, designed for intermediate-level professionals and combining damage assessment training with comprehensive testing.
The skill that matters most is telling storm damage apart from normal wear, aging, or installation problems. An insurance claim depends on what caused the damage, not only on the fact that damage exists. Lakeview Roofing is HAAG certified for both residential and commercial roof inspections.
What Does a HAAG Certified Roof Inspection Report Cover?
The roof's overall condition, any storm damage and its likely cause, wear and installation issues kept separate, flashing and roof openings, photos of what was found, and recommended next steps.
Overall condition
The state of the roofing material and how much life it likely has left.
Storm damage and its cause
Hail or wind damage identified, with the likely cause.
Wear, kept separate
Aging and installation problems documented apart from storm damage.
Flashing and openings
Flashing, vents, and other roof penetrations.
Photos
Photos documenting everything that was found.
Next steps
A repair, a replacement, or nothing at all.
Lakeview's inspections typically take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, and the written report follows within 24 to 48 hours. See our roof inspections.
Why Do Home Buyers Ask for a HAAG Inspection?
Because a general home inspection doesn't look at the roof up close. Under the InterNACHI home inspection standards, a home inspector inspects the roof from ground level or the eaves and isn't required to walk on it or predict how long it will last.
A roof-focused inspection tells a buyer whether the roof has years left or needs work soon, before closing, and gives you a documented report to bring to the negotiation. Buying soon? Use our roof inspection guide for home buyers.
When Does a HAAG Inspection Help After a Storm?
After hail or a windstorm. The inspection documents what the storm did to your roof and separates it from damage that was already there, which is what you and your adjuster work from.
Lakeview inspects the roof, documents the damage, and works directly with your adjuster. For the full claim process, read how to file a roof insurance claim in Idaho.
Is There a HAAG Certified Inspector in Coeur d'Alene?
Yes. Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofer based in Rathdrum, provides HAAG certified roof inspections across Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Spirit Lake, Sandpoint, and the rest of North Idaho.
We'll tell you what we find, including when your roof doesn't need anything. Request a free inspection.
Book a Free HAAG Certified Inspection
Photos, a written report within 24 to 48 hours, and a straight answer, including when your roof doesn't need anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HAAG certified roof inspection?
A roof inspection by an inspector trained through HAAG's Haag Certified Inspector program, whose three-day courses on residential roofs, commercial roofs, and wind damage combine damage assessment training with testing.
What is HAAG?
A forensic engineering and consulting company founded in 1924 in Dallas, Texas, by civil engineer Walter G. Haag. It provides services to the legal and insurance industries, among others.
Why get a HAAG inspection when buying a home?
A general home inspector can inspect the roof from the ground or the eaves without walking it. A HAAG certified roof inspection focuses on the roof and documents its condition and remaining life before you close.
Does a HAAG inspection help with an insurance claim?
It gives you and your adjuster a documented record that separates storm damage from wear that was already there. Your insurer makes the coverage decision.
Is there a HAAG inspector in Coeur d'Alene?
Yes. Lakeview Roofing, based in Rathdrum, is HAAG certified for residential and commercial inspections and serves Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho. Inspections are free.
About this guide. Written by Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofing company in Rathdrum, Idaho, and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor with HAAG certified inspectors. Facts in this guide were checked against the sources listed below.