Hail Damage Roof Inspection: What to Check and What It Costs
A safe, from-the-ground checklist after a hailstorm, the hail sizes that matter, and what a professional inspection costs.
Short answer: after a storm, check the soft metal first (gutters, downspouts, vents), look for granules washing out of downspouts, and photograph everything. If you see dents or the hail was quarter-sized (1 inch) or bigger, the National Weather Service's severe threshold, book an inspection. Angi puts a post-hail roof inspection at $125 to $600, and HomeGuide's national average for a roof inspection is $280.
Hail sizes
| Compared to | Diameter |
|---|---|
| Pea | 0.25 in |
| Penny | 0.75 in |
| Quarter (NWS severe threshold) | 1.00 in |
| Half dollar | 1.25 in |
| Ping pong ball | 1.50 in |
| Golf ball | 1.75 in |
| Hen egg | 2.00 in |
| Tennis ball | 2.50 in |
| Baseball | 2.75 in |
Verisk's 2026 Roof Report treats hail of 1 inch or more as severe and reports that in 2025, sixteen states had severe hail reach more than 20% of roofs, with Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota among the most affected.
Check your roof from the ground
- Gutters, downspouts and vents: dents or dings in soft metal mean the hail was big enough to hit shingles too.
- Downspout outlets: piles of shingle granules suggest bruised shingles.
- Siding, window screens, deck and car: fresh dents and splatter marks show storm direction and size.
- Shingles (binoculars): dark spots where granules are gone, cracks, or missing tabs. Wood shakes show bright splits.
- Attic and ceilings: new stains or drips after the next rain.
- Photograph everything with dates before anything is repaired.
Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Leave that to the inspector.
Roof inspection cost
| Inspection type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Physical (inspector walks the roof) | $75–$200 |
| Drone | $100–$450 |
| Infrared (finds trapped moisture) | $400–$600 |
| Roof certification (add-on) | $75–$200 |
| National average, any type | $280 |
Many roofers inspect free when bidding on a job, and an insurer's adjuster inspects at no charge when you file a claim. HomeGuide warns that unsolicited free inspections are a common start to roofing scams, so check licensing and reviews first. More detail: roof inspection cost.
If you find damage
- Price it: hail damage roof repair and replacement cost.
- See what a claim would pay: roof claim payout calculator.
- Angi advises filing within six months of the storm date; your policy may set a different limit.
Sources
- NOAA National Weather Service, SKYWARN hail size chart and glossary: hail size.
- Verisk, 2026 U.S. Roof Report press release, May 29, 2026 (insurance claim averages for 2025).
- Angi, How Much Does Hail Damage Roof Repair Cost? [2026 Data], updated Oct 16, 2026.
- HomeGuide, Roof Inspection Cost (2026), Dec 8, 2025.
Accessed October 30, 2026. National figures; local prices and your policy wording decide the real numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What size hail damages a roof?
The National Weather Service treats 1-inch (quarter-size) hail as severe, and Verisk counts 1 inch or more as severe hail for roofs. Older or brittle roofing can be damaged by smaller hail.
How much does a hail damage roof inspection cost?
About $125 to $600 (Angi, 2026). HomeGuide puts the average roof inspection at $280, with drone inspections $100–$450 and infrared $400–$600. Roofers bidding on a job and insurance adjusters often inspect free.
How long do I have to file a hail claim?
Angi advises filing within six months of the storm. Your policy sets the actual deadline, so check it.
Last reviewed 2026-10-30. Results are estimates for planning; confirm quantities with your supplier and requirements with your local building code and the manufacturer's instructions.