Contractors cut corners where you can't see. Starter strips, ridge cap fastening, and drip edge are the top three shortcuts on new NM roofs — and each one is a wind-uplift entry point and an IRC code violation. I walk every foot of ridge, hip, rake, and eave and document what's actually there.
Starter strip presence and correct orientation at every eave (IRC R905.2.7.1)
Ridge cap adhesive bond + fastener count (hand-tug test, per manufacturer spec)
Drip edge at eaves AND rakes per IRC R905.2.8.5 — the #1 statewide code miss
Hip ridge and rake edge starter for architectural shingle warranty compliance
Wind-driven rain entry point audit at every eave-to-rake transition
Photo report with per-foot condition score and code-citation column
Walk-inspection of every ridge, hip, rake, and eave on all accessible slopes. Starter strip verification at eaves (present + correct orientation per IRC R905.2.7.1). Ridge cap adhesive bond test (hand-tug) and fastener-count sample per manufacturer install spec. Drip edge audit at eaves and rakes per IRC R905.2.8.5 — I flag both material presence and 2-inch deck lap / 1/4-inch overhang. Hip ridge starter and rake edge sealing for architectural shingle warranty compliance. Wind-driven rain entry-point audit at every eave-to-rake transition, valley termination, and step-flash termination. Written report with per-foot condition score, photos, and IRC / manufacturer citations.
Homeowners with a new roof (within warranty) who suspect corners were cut. Owners in high-wind zones — West Mesa, East Mountains, Sandia Foothills, Los Alamos, high plains. Buyers under contract wanting to catch install defects before closing. Owners after a wind event to document what actually held up vs what didn't. HOA / property managers documenting install quality across a portfolio.
Standard Ridge & Eave Report — $299 Ridge + Eave + Full Wind-Uplift Zone Audit — $449 New-Roof Punch-List (before final payment) — $549 Add to any inspection — $149 Most are $299–$449. Catching missing rake drip edge on a new roof before final payment gets it fixed at contractor cost — after, you pay $600–$1,200.
They take the worst wind loads (ASCE 7 Zone 2 and Zone 3 uplift), and they're where 90% of contractors cut corners because homeowners never see them from the ground. Missing starter strip, hand-nailed ridge caps with too few fasteners, and no drip edge on the rakes are the top three shortcuts I document on new roofs.
Yes. IRC R905.2.8.5 requires drip edge at eaves AND rakes on shingle roofs, and it must extend a minimum of 2 inches onto the deck and 1/4 inch past the fascia. About one-third of the roofs I inspect statewide are missing rake drip edge entirely. It's a code violation and a leak path.
Look up from the yard: lifted or curled caps, visible nail heads, and any gap in the ridge line where you can see attic ventilation is worst-case failure. From the roof: hand-tug on caps, check for adhesive bond, look for missing sealant on exposed nail heads. I score every foot of ridge, hip, and eave and photograph anything at risk.
Reserve study + per-unit documentation.
Party-wall + shared-roof attribution.
Step, counter, cricket flashing audit.
SMACNA sizing + downspout audit.
I've watched too many neighbors sign contracts they didn't understand for roofs they didn't need. That stops with a written report they own.