Choose a roofer who can show proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, holds the local business license your city or county requires, pulls permits when needed, and gives you a detailed written contract. Avoid anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot, wants a large payment upfront, offers to cover your deductible, or can't show a verifiable local address.
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A new roof is one of the largest purchases most homeowners make, and the quality of the installation matters as much as the materials. In Metro Atlanta, the challenge is often not finding a roofer but sorting through all of them, especially after a hailstorm when door knockers and yard signs appear overnight. This guide covers how to check a contractor, what a good contract looks like, and the red flags worth walking away from.
Understand Georgia's licensing picture
Georgia does not issue a statewide license specifically for residential roofing. That means a state license search alone won't tell you whether a roofer is qualified. Instead:
- Many cities and counties require contractors to hold a local business license, and many require a permit for re-roofing work. Check with your city or county building department.
- Larger projects that go beyond roofing, such as structural repairs or additions, may require a contractor licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. You can verify those licenses through the Georgia Secretary of State.
- You can look up whether a company is registered to do business in Georgia through the Secretary of State's Corporations Division.
Verify insurance yourself
Insurance is one of the most important things to check, because it protects you if someone is hurt or your home is damaged during the job.
- General liability insurance covers damage to your property caused by the contractor's work.
- Workers' compensation covers injured workers. Georgia generally requires employers with three or more employees to carry it. Roofing is dangerous work, and an uninsured worker who is injured on your property can create problems for you.
Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurance agency listed on it to confirm the policy is active. If the crew will be a subcontractor, ask whether the subcontractor carries its own coverage.
Check reputation and track record
- Look for a physical business address in the area, not just a cell phone number and a truck.
- Read reviews across more than one site and look for patterns, especially in how the company handled problems.
- Check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Protection.
- Ask for addresses of recent jobs nearby that you can drive past.
- Ask whether the company holds any manufacturer certifications, and what extra warranty coverage, if any, that makes available to you.
Compare written estimates
Get at least two or three written estimates. A good estimate spells out:
- The shingle or roofing product by brand and line, plus color.
- Whether the old roof will be torn off and how many layers.
- Underlayment, ice and water shield in valleys and around penetrations, drip edge, and starter strips.
- Flashing work: whether chimney, wall, and step flashing will be replaced or reused.
- Ventilation changes, such as ridge vents or added intake.
- How rotted decking will be handled and priced, usually per sheet.
- Cleanup, magnetic nail sweeps, and debris disposal.
- Permits and who pulls them.
When estimates differ a lot in price, the scope usually differs too. Line them up item by item before assuming the cheapest one is the best deal.
What a good contract includes
- The company's legal name, address, and contact information.
- The full scope of work and materials, matching the estimate.
- The total price, the payment schedule, and what triggers each payment.
- Estimated start and completion dates and how weather delays are handled.
- Workmanship warranty terms in writing, separate from the manufacturer's material warranty.
- How change orders are approved and priced.
If the job is being paid through an insurance claim, Georgia law gives homeowners specific rights, including the ability to cancel within a short period if the insurer denies all or part of the claim. The contract should include notice of those rights. As payments are made, you can also ask for lien waivers. Georgia uses statutory lien waiver forms, which help protect you from claims by unpaid suppliers or subcontractors.
Red flags that point to storm chasers
Not every out-of-town crew is a problem, and some reputable companies travel to help after big storms. But be cautious of anyone who:
- Knocks on your door right after a storm and says your roof is damaged before looking at it closely.
- Pressures you to sign today, or says a "special price" expires soon.
- Asks for a large payment or full payment upfront, or wants cash only.
- Offers to waive, cover, or rebate your insurance deductible.
- Asks you to sign a form that assigns your insurance claim or its payments to them, or says they will "handle the insurance" for you.
- Can't produce a certificate of insurance or a local business address.
- Uses a vague contract with no product names, no warranty terms, or blanks left to fill in later.
Another common tactic is offering a "free inspection" and then showing photos of damage that may not be from your roof. If something seems off, get a second opinion before signing.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How long have you been working in this area, and can I see recent local jobs?
- Will your own crew or a subcontractor do the work, and who will supervise it?
- Who pulls the permit, and will the job be inspected?
- What happens if you find rotted decking?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
- How do you protect landscaping, gutters, and driveways during the job?
Taking an extra day or two to check a contractor rarely costs you anything, and it can save you from a bad installation or a lost deposit. If you'd like help finding an independent roofing contractor, send a request and compare their estimate with others.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay a roofer upfront?
It varies, and there's no single standard. Many homeowners prefer a modest deposit, with the balance due when the work is complete and inspected. Be cautious of anyone asking for most or all of the price before work begins.
Is it a bad sign if a roofer knocks on my door after a storm?
Not always, but it's a reason to slow down. Ask for proof of insurance and a local address, get other estimates, and never sign on the spot or hand over control of your insurance claim.
Does Georgia require roofers to be licensed?
Georgia does not have a statewide license specifically for residential roofing. Many cities and counties require a local business license and permits, and broader projects may require a state-licensed residential or general contractor.