Columbia, SC · Roof Inspection

Roof Inspection Services in Columbia, South Carolina

Know your roof's real condition before it becomes an emergency. 26 local roofers listed.

Short answer: A professional roof inspection in Columbia costs $150–$400 for a standard home, and many roofers do it free when you are getting a repair quote; after a hail day or 50+ mph wind, book one before you file a claim. In Columbia: 51.9% of homes built before 1980. Ask any roofer for a license number and a certificate of insurance.

Get a free quote See Columbia in numbers
  • 51.9%of homes built before 1980
  • 1978median year homes were built
  • 13hail days (1 inch+), 2014–2026
  • 47.3%of homes are owner-occupied

How much life is left in my Columbia roof?

Typical lifespans are published ranges for each material; for a Columbia house, real life also depends on installation, attic ventilation and the weather Columbia gets.

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Booking a Columbia inspection at the end of hurricane season finds loosened ridge caps, cracked step flashing, and lifted shingles before winter rains exploit every gap that storm-season wind opened. Inspections cost $150 to $400 for a standard home, and many Columbia-area contractors offer free assessments when you are actively considering repair or replacement.

Columbia in numbers

Public records for Columbia and its county, not estimates. Each figure shows its source.

  • #3of 209Columbia ranks #3 of the 209 cities we cover for damaging thunderstorm-wind days.

Hail reports per year in the county

Hail events per year in the county, 2017 to 2024 8 2017 4 2018 2 2019 4 2020 2 2021 6 2022 2 2023 10 2024
Hail events per year in the county, 2017 to 2024
20178
20184
20192
20204
20212
20226
20232
202410

38 recorded events across 8 years represented in the data, about 4.8 per represented full year. 2024 had the most events among represented full years: 10.

Source: NOAA hail events, county level · data as of 2017–2024

When storms hit Columbia

Hail reports by month in the county, all years combined 1 Jan 9 Feb 5 Mar 3 Apr 11 May 13 Jun 10 Jul 3 Aug 1 Sep 1 Oct 0 Nov 0 Dec
Hail reports by month in the county, all years combined
Jan1
Feb9
Mar5
Apr3
May11
Jun13
Jul10
Aug3
Sep1
Oct1
Nov0
Dec0

Most hail reports come in June; the season runs February to August. Book inspections and repairs before that window, not after.

Source: NOAA Storm Events · data as of 2014–June 2026

Roofing trade around Columbia

  • 22 roofing companies with payroll in the county, employing about 183 people; 64% have fewer than 5 employees.
  • A roofer's median pay here is $44,660 a year (Columbia, SC Metro Area).
Source: Census CBP · data as of 2023 Source: BLS OEWS, roofers · data as of May 2025

Columbia storm record: Richland County

What the National Weather Service logged in Richland County in 2014–2026. County level, because storm reports are filed by county, not by city limits.

Where hail of 1 inch or more was reported in Richland County

1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1 in hail1.25 in hail1.5 in hail1.5 in hail1.75 in hail1.75 in hail2.75 in hail Columbia
  • 191 to 1.74 in
  • 21.75 to 2.74 in, golf ball to tennis ball
  • 12.75 in and up, baseball

Largest plotted stone: 2.75 in. Bigger dots are bigger stones.

22 reports of 1 inch or larger have coordinates. Each dot is a reported location, not a storm path.

Sources: NOAA, Census county outline

Biggest hail days

DateLargest hailReports that dayWhere it was reported
May 23, 2014 2.75 in, about the size of a baseball 4 Langfords Xrds
April 5, 2017 1.75 in, about the size of a golf ball 2 Leesburg
April 7, 2015 1.75 in, about the size of a golf ball 1 Blythewood
“Public reported golfball to baseball size hail in the Lake Carolina Vicinity.”
National Weather Service report, May 23, 2014
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database · data as of 2014–2026

Last big hail on record

April 5, 2017

Hail of 1.75 inches (golf ball) or larger fell on 3 days in 2014–2026. Our records end where NOAA's do, so a newer storm may not be listed yet.

Strongest tornado

EF1 · April 13, 2020

It stayed on the ground for 4.89 miles and was up to 80 yards wide. A strong EF-1 tornado began near the intersection of Lee Road and Trowbridge Road. The tornado continued northeast for just under 5 miles. The tornado crossed Hard Scrabble Road, Kelly Mill Road, Langford Road and dissipated near Heins Road.

Strongest thunderstorm gust

100 mph · April 15, 2018

The damage was mainly confined to a cove along Muskrat Run which is located off of Salem Church Road. The maximum wind speeds associated with the event ranged from 90-100 mph. One tree did fall and reached the patio of a home, but did little to no damage.

Storm data: NOAA Storm Events (public domain). City facts: Wikidata (CC0).

What it costs in Columbia

Asphalt-shingle re-roof, 2,000 sq ft home, adjusted for Columbia labor and material prices. Your quote depends on roof size, pitch and scope.

That typical price is about 4.0% of the median Columbia home value ($243,500).

Source: Census ACS (Columbia city) · data as of 2019–2023

Full Columbia cost guide by material →

What Columbia's climate means for roof inspection

  • Book a Columbia inspection at the end of hurricane season to catch loosened flashing and ridge caps before winter rains exploit them.

Roofers in Columbia, SC

26 listed, first 20 shown. Roofers we verified against a public registry come first.

This list covers roofing companies generally. Confirm roof inspection experience, materials, insurance and current availability with each company. A Verified badge refers to the registry check, not a confirmed specialty.

Roof Inspection in Columbia: questions

How do I find a roof inspection company in Columbia?
PickARoofer lists roofing companies serving Columbia, SC. This is a general roofing directory; confirm roof inspection experience and availability with each company. A Verified badge describes a separate registry check, not a confirmed service specialty or insurance check. Confirm scope, insurance and availability directly. Requests go to one contractor at a time, with up to three attempts; a response or start date is not guaranteed. Free for homeowners.
Should I repair or fully re-roof in Columbia?
Ask a roofer to document the damage and compare a written repair scope with a replacement estimate. Roof condition, remaining life, materials and the extent of damage affect the decision. Confirm any inspection fee before booking.
How big does hail get near Columbia?
The largest hail NOAA logged near Columbia measured 2.75 inches, about the size of a baseball. Hail of an inch or more fell on 13 days in the same record. The biggest day was May 23, 2014, with 4 reports. The National Weather Service calls hail of 1 inch or larger severe; the bigger the stone, the more likely it is to crack a shingle.
How long does a South Carolina insurer have to answer a roof claim?
South Carolina sets time limits in writing. For example, the insurer must send you proof-of-loss forms after your notice within 20 days (S.C. Code §38-59-10). The full list and a date calculator are on our South Carolina claim-deadlines page: pickaroofer.com/claim-deadlines/sc.
When is hail season in Columbia?
June is the worst month: 23% of the 57 hail reports NOAA holds for the county came then. Reports run from February to August. Book the inspection before February, while crews still have open dates.
What does roofing cost in Columbia?
For an average 2,000 sq ft home we model asphalt-shingle re-roof at $6,090 to $13,485 in Columbia, around $9,800 in the middle. That is about 4% of the median home value of $243,500. Your quote moves with roof size, pitch and how many layers come off.
How many roofing companies work around Columbia?
The Census Bureau counts 22 roofing companies with payroll in Richland County, employing about 183 people. 63.6% of them have fewer than five employees, so most quotes come from owner-run crews. A roofer's median pay is $44,660 a year (BLS).
How old are the homes in Columbia, and does it matter for the roof?
The median home in Columbia was built in 1978, and 51.9% of homes date from before 1980 (Census ACS). A roof on a home that old has often been re-covered at least once, so ask the roofer whether there is a second layer underneath: it changes the tear-off cost. The area sees about 31 freeze-thaw days a year, which loosens flashing and sealant.
Should I inspect my Columbia roof before or after hurricane season?
Both, if your roof is over 10 years old. A pre-season inspection in May catches loose flashing, lifting ridge caps, and dried-out sealant before storm-force wind exploits them. A post-season inspection in November finds what the storms opened — often small damage that is easy to repair before winter rains work into the framing. In Columbia, a documented inspection record also supports a homeowner insurance claim by showing the pre-storm roof condition.
What will a roof inspector check on a Columbia home?
A standard inspection covers shingle condition (cracking, curling, granule loss, missing pieces), flashing integrity at chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall junctions, gutter condition and drainage performance, attic ventilation assessment for moisture and heat buildup, and overall structural assessment of decking and rafters where accessible. You receive a written report with photos and prioritized recommendations. SC Residential Builders Commission license or registration required. PickARoofer connects you with Columbia inspectors. Contractors with a Verified badge have had their license independently confirmed against the official state registry. Submit above for a free or low-cost initial assessment.
Do I need a permit for roof inspection in South Carolina?
Permit requirements depend on the property, scope of work and local jurisdiction. Check with the city or county building department and confirm who will obtain any required permit before work starts.

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Figures above: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail, wind, tornado; county of the city, 2014–2026), U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (housing), NASA POWER (temperature and rain, 2014–2023). Prices: our published price method. How we collect data.