Roof inspection photo checklist

Why the order and the naming matter

A carrier reviewer, an IA file auditor, or opposing counsel does not open a folder of 140 unlabeled images and start guessing. They look for the photo that matches a specific Xactimate® or Symbility® line: the test square that supports a full-roof shingle replacement, the penetration that supports a pipe boot line, the gutter shot that supports an eave-and-rake charge. If the file is organized by location and named consistently, that photo is found in seconds. If it is not, the line gets questioned or cut.

The set below is not exhaustive for every roof type, but it is the minimum that holds up on a residential shingle or tile claim. Add photos for anything unusual on the specific roof: solar mounts, satellite dishes, patch repairs, tree contact.

Checklist by location

• Four elevation overviews (front, back, left, right) showing the whole structure and roofline

  Establishes the property, the roof shape, and which slopes exist before any close-up is taken. This is the shot that orients everyone else in the file.

• One full-length photo of every slope, ridge to eave

  Confirms slope count and general condition, and shows any slope that was inaccessible or excluded, with a note as to why.

• One test square per distinct slope or pitch group, wide and close-up

  This is the photo that supports a full-slope or full-roof replacement decision. Without it, a reviewer has no basis to accept the damage density claimed for the rest of the slope.

• A separate photo of every penetration: plumbing boots, roof vents, skylights, chimney flashing, satellite mounts

  Each penetration is a separate Xactimate® or Symbility® line item. A missing photo means that line has no support in the file.

• Gutters, downspouts, drip edge, and fascia at each elevation

  Supports gutter and eave/rake line items and documents granule loss or impact evidence collecting in the gutter run, which is separate evidence from the shingle surface itself.

• Interior attic decking, insulation, and any ceiling or wall staining tied to a leak path

  Connects exterior roof damage to interior loss, which matters for causation and for any interior line items on the same claim.

• A close-up of any manufacturer marking, shingle wrapper, or existing repair patch found on the roof

  Supports age, product match, and any pre-existing repair note without relying on memory later in the file.

Capturing the test square

The test square is the single most disputed photo in a roof file, so it is worth doing the same way every time.

A 10-foot by 10-foot marked section is a common way to represent a 100 sq ft area for damage density counts on a slope. Confirm the method your carrier or client actually accepts before you standardize on a size, since some files call for a different square footage or a different count per slope.

1. Choose a representative section

   Pick an area of the slope that reflects the general condition, not the weakest spot and not the best spot on that slope.

2. Mark the boundary

   Use chalk, tape, or a marked square tool so the boundary is visible in the photo, not just described in a caption.

3. Shoot wide first

   One photo showing the marked square in context on the slope, so a reviewer can see where on the roof it sits.

4. Shoot close second

   One or more close-up photos inside the marked boundary showing individual hits, with a reference object (chalk mark, tape measure, or coin) for scale.

5. Repeat per slope group

   Take one test square per distinct pitch or exposure group, not one for the whole roof, since damage density can vary by slope direction.

6. Log the count

   Note the hit count from that square directly in the file or the estimate comment, next to the photo reference number.

File naming and minimum counts

A simple naming convention beats a clever one. Use claim number, location, and a sequence number, in that order, so files sort correctly in any folder view.

Adjust minimums for roof size and complexity. A large cut-up roof needs more slope and test square photos than this baseline; a simple gable roof may need fewer penetration shots.

Attaching photos to the estimate file

Both Xactimate® and Symbility® let a user attach photos directly to the claim file and, in Xactimate®, to specific sketch areas or line items; menus vary by version, so verify the exact steps in your build via the vendor's official help documentation rather than following a screenshot from an older release.

A measured report delivered as ESX or XML gives the sketch its slopes and facet counts before photos are attached, so the photo set and the measured file describe the same roof from the start. If the file still needs a measured roof, order a roof report by address and attach the photo set to the same claim number once both are on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Xactimate® supports attaching photos to the claim file and to sketch areas or line items; exact menu steps vary by version: Xactware Help Center (as of August 2026)
• Symbility® / CoreLogic claims platforms support attaching photo documentation to the claim file: CoreLogic Claims Documentation (as of August 2026)
• Sketch My Roof residential report ordering, formats, and delivery terms: Sketch My Roof residential order page (as of August 2026)