Plano Roofing Why the attic is part of the final inspection
Since June 1, 2003, the city's final re-roof inspection has included an attic inspection, not just a look at the roof surface. That's been true for over two decades now, which means most homeowners who've had a roof replaced in Plano since then have already been through it once, whether they remember it or not.
With a median year built of 1993 and nearly two-thirds of the city's housing stock going up between 1970 and 1999, a lot of these attics are likely on a second or third roof covering by now — not something anyone's measured, but simple arithmetic from the age of the house. The attic is where the work done on the roof can be checked from underneath.
What the inspector is actually looking for
According to the city's re-roof handout, the attic portion of the final inspection covers three specific things:
- Vent piping through the roof. The handout lists attic inspection to verify the vent piping that passes through the roof.
- Rafter positioning. The attic inspection also covers rafter positioning.
- HVAC vents reinstalled. The handout lists HVAC vents being reinstalled among the attic items.
For metal panel, metal shingle and tile roofs, the handout also lists a partial final inspection for the underlayment.
Who certifies what, and what the city does not promise
The handout includes a form on which the roofing contractor certifies that a final roof inspection, including the attic, has been completed. The handout is from 2016 and cites the 2015 International Residential Code. Whether the rules or any fees have changed since is not something we can confirm from the document, so call City of Plano Building Inspections at 1520 K Avenue, Suite 140 (972-941-7140) for current specifics.
One more distinction worth knowing: a contractor registering with the city as a general contractor — which includes roofing companies — is a city registration, not a state license. Registration and licensing aren't the same thing, and it's fair to ask any contractor you're considering whether they're registered with Plano before work starts.
Getting ready for the attic check
If you're planning a re-roof, a little attic prep ahead of the final inspection saves a callback. Before the inspector shows up, it helps to:
- Clear a path to the attic access so nothing blocks the hatch or pull-down ladder.
- Ask your contractor to confirm that the HVAC vents and vent piping were reinstalled.
- Ask whether any decking was replaced, and where.
This is also a good moment to think beyond the roof covering itself. A re-roof is a natural time to have ventilation and decking looked at together, since both get touched during tear-off anyway — see attic ventilation and roof decking for how that fits into a typical project. And if you're not mid-project but just wondering whether your attic and roof are in shape, a straightforward roof inspection can tell you.
What this means for older Plano houses
The attic inspection is part of the city's final re-roof inspection, so it applies to any Plano re-roof that needs one. The city's re-roof handout says a permit is needed when work exceeds 25% of the roof area; see the Plano re-roof permit guide for how that works. Houses built from 1970 to 1999 make up about 64% of Plano's housing, so many are likely on a second roof covering, which is arithmetic from year built, not a measured count. If a full roof replacement is in your future, knowing that the attic gets a look too is one less surprise at the end of the job.
The takeaway: Plano's final re-roof inspection checks the attic as closely as the shingles, so a roofing job on an older Plano home isn't finished until the vent piping, rafters and HVAC vents have been looked at too.