Homeowner worksheet · Roof project completion
New Roof Final Walkthrough Checklist for Louisiana & Mississippi Homeowners
The crew has finished, but the project still needs a clear handoff. Use this checklist to record what you can see, what the contractor needs to demonstrate, and which documents remain outstanding.
Keep observation separate from technical verification
You can discuss the work from the ground and photograph visible concerns. You cannot verify concealed fastening or underlayment simply because the shingles look straight. Ask the roofer to review those details using project records and appropriate inspection methods.
| Review layer | Useful homeowner action | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Visible finish and cleanup | Walk accessible ground areas with the contractor and record questions. | Compliance of concealed work. |
| Installation details | Request labeled progress photos and an explanation of the installed system. | That a few photos capture every required detail. |
| Permit and inspection status | Obtain the applicable record from the authority responsible for the property. | Manufacturer warranty registration or FORTIFIED designation. |
| FORTIFIED, if contracted | Track the evaluator’s submission and the issued designation. | Automatic payment of a grant or insurance discount. |
Do not climb onto the roof or step into an attic without safe access. A homeowner walkthrough is not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Ask about the details that are now covered
Start with the signed scope and approved changes. For each item, ask what confirms it was completed. If the roof deck required repairs, connect the approved change order to the location and quantity documented during the work. If flashing was reused, ask where that was agreed and how its condition was assessed.
For roofs in Louisiana and coastal Mississippi, make the conversation specific to the house: porch tie-ins, wall intersections, roof penetrations, and the relationship between roof edges and gutters. These locations deserve clear records even when the finished roof looks uniform from the driveway.
For a contracted FORTIFIED project, an independent evaluator documents the required features and IBHS reviews the submission before issuing a designation. A contractor’s invoice describing the roof as FORTIFIED is not the issued designation. Review the official FORTIFIED process.
Your final walkthrough worksheet
Mark completed items and add your notes. This worksheet does not save your entries. Print or save a PDF with your browser before closing the page. You can also print it blank and complete it with your contractor.
1. Scope and visible conditions
2. Records and explanations
3. Follow-up
Open item record — copy for each concern
This is a discussion record, not a certificate of compliance, warranty, release, or change to your contract’s payment terms.
Keep one project folder with these records
Use a folder labeled with the property and completion year. Save the contract and approved changes, final scope and invoices, product information, project photos, applicable inspection records, warranty documents, and service contact details. Add the FORTIFIED designation only if the project receives one.
Keep an outstanding-documents note at the front. A homeowner in Baton Rouge should confirm records with the authority handling that address; a Gulfport or Bay St. Louis project may involve a different office and process. Avoid assuming one city’s checklist applies throughout both states.
What to do if a concern appears after the crew leaves
Photograph what you can safely see and record when it appeared. Refer to the affected location rather than making a technical diagnosis: “water stain beside the rear porch connection” is more useful than “the whole roof was installed wrong.” Contact the agreed service person and keep the response with the project file.
A short period without rain does not verify every weather-exposure condition. If a later rain reveals a concern, report it promptly through the agreed process. Do not perform your own roof water test or disturb installed materials to investigate.
New roof walkthrough FAQ
Can I confirm correct nailing from the driveway?
No. Ask for appropriate installation evidence and professional review if the answer remains uncertain.
Is the final walkthrough my last chance to report a problem?
No. Later issues may become apparent. Keep the agreed service procedure and applicable written terms so you know how to report them.
Does a permit inspection replace the FORTIFIED review?
No. They are separate processes. Record their statuses separately.
What if I have not hired a roofer yet?
Ask for a closeout package in the proposed scope before work starts. That gives both parties a shared expectation about the final handoff.
Ask for a clear roof project handoff
Planning a roof replacement with SHIC in Southeast Louisiana or the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Ask how the written scope addresses completion records, the final walkthrough, and follow-up service.
Request a project estimate