Missing Shingles on a New Home: What Homeowners Need to Know

Buying a new home is an exciting experience, especially when you’ve had a hand in designing it. From the kitchen layout and bathroom finishes to closet space and garage size, everything feels customized and carefully planned. When you move in, the home feels perfect — new, clean, and built to last.

That’s why it can be so surprising when, just three to five years later, you look up at your roof and notice shingles missing.

This was the exact situation a recent Roof Nurse client found themselves in.

Over time, what seems like a small issue can quickly raise bigger concerns, especially on a home that’s still relatively new.

How Shingle Issues Can Hide in Plain Sight

From the ground, missing shingles aren’t always easy to spot. Homeowners may notice one area and assume it’s isolated or storm-related. During this client’s Roof Nurse Clinical Evaluation, we discovered multiple areas across the roof where shingles were missing or improperly installed — including spots the homeowner couldn’t see on their own.

Issues like this often trace back to installation, not age. On new construction, roofing crews are often working on tight timelines, and small mistakes can take years to reveal themselves. By the time shingles begin to disappear, moisture intrusion may already be starting beneath the surface.

The Value of a Professional Roof Evaluation

One of the biggest advantages of a Roof Nurse inspection is thorough documentation. For this homeowner, we provided clear photos and detailed findings in a Performance Report, outlining each area of concern and how the issues related to workmanship.

That documentation gave the homeowner the evidence they needed to return to the original roofer and request repairs under the existing workmanship warranty — avoiding unnecessary repair costs and protecting their investment.

Without a professional evaluation and report, many homeowners end up paying out of pocket for problems that should have been addressed by the original installer.

Why Even New Homes Need Roof Inspections

This situation is a good reminder that a standard home inspection doesn’t always catch roofing issues, especially on newly built homes. Even when a roof looks new, problems can exist that won’t become visible for several years.

Before purchasing a home — whether new or existing — it’s always a smart decision to have a licensed roofing professional inspect the roof. Catching issues early can help preserve warranties, prevent water damage, and save thousands in future repairs.

Noticing missing shingles or unsure about the condition of your roof ?

Roof Nurse provides honest roof inspections with detailed photo documentation and clear recommendations. Contact our team today to schedule a professional roof evaluation and get peace of mind knowing your home is protected.