After any significant storm in Atlanta, your neighborhood will be full of roofing contractors — some legitimate, some not. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Georgia Licensing Requirements
Georgia requires residential roofing contractors to hold a Residential Basic Contractor or Residential General Contractor license issued by the Georgia Secretary of State. These licenses require passing an exam, meeting experience requirements, and maintaining liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Verify any contractor’s license at: sos.ga.gov → Licensing → Verify a License
A licensed contractor should have no problem providing their license number. If they hesitate, that’s your answer.
What “Insured” Actually Means
When a contractor says “we’re insured,” that means nothing without verification. Ask for:
- Certificate of liability insurance — with your name and address listed as the certificate holder
- Workers’ compensation certificate — covers any worker injured on your property
If a worker is injured on your roof and the contractor doesn’t have workers’ comp, you may be liable. This is not theoretical — it happens. Call the insurance company on the certificate directly to verify it’s current.
Red Flags to Watch For
Door knockers immediately after storms: Legitimate local contractors don’t need to knock doors — they have existing customers and referrals. Contractors who show up 48 hours after a hail event are often storm chasers from out of state with no local presence.
Unusually low estimates: A quote 30-40% below others isn’t a deal — it’s a signal of inferior materials, cut corners, or a contractor who intends to collect a deposit and disappear.
Pressure to sign immediately: “This price is only good today” is a sales tactic. A legitimate contractor gives you time to review and compare.
Assignment of Benefits (AOB): Some contractors ask you to sign an AOB agreement, transferring your insurance rights to them. This removes your control over the claim. Do not sign an AOB without legal counsel.
No local address or physical presence: Check that the contractor has a verifiable local address, has been operating in Atlanta for multiple years, and has local Google reviews with real names and photos.
How to Find Legitimate Contractors
Manufacturer certification programs: GAF’s Master Elite program and CertainTeed’s SELECT ShingleMaster designation require training, certification, and ongoing performance standards. These are legitimate credentialing programs.
Google reviews with substance: Look for reviews mentioning specific details — the inspector’s name, the neighborhood, what was done. Specific reviews are more reliable than generic ones.
Referrals from neighbors: After a storm, find out which contractor did the houses on your street that look best. Ask neighbors directly.
What to Get in Writing Before Signing
- Scope of work (detailed line items, not just “replace roof”)
- Materials specified (manufacturer, product line, color)
- Timeline and payment schedule
- Warranty terms (material and workmanship)
- License number
- Insurance certificate
Atlanta Roofing Experts is licensed in Georgia, fully insured, and has served metro Atlanta and outlying areas for years. Verify our license or book a free inspection →