How to choose a roofing contractor in Cherokee County

Start with a roofer you can find again

A new roof should last for decades, and so should your ability to reach the people who put it on. Before anything else, make sure the company has a real local address, a phone number that a person answers, and a history you can look up. Search the business name with "reviews" and read the oldest ones as well as the newest.

Be careful with any crew that shows up at your door after a storm with an out-of-state truck and a deal that ends today. Some are honest. Some are gone by the time a leak shows up the following spring, and a workmanship warranty is only worth something if the company that wrote it is still around.

Ask for proof of insurance, in writing

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, and workers’ compensation if the company has employees. Roofing is dangerous work. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or a crew damages your siding, gutters or landscaping, you want their insurance to handle it, not yours.

A real certificate comes from the insurance agent, names the company exactly as it appears on your contract, and shows dates that cover your project. You can call the agent listed on it to confirm the policy is active.

Check licenses and permits for your job

Ask the roofer which licenses they hold and look them up yourself through the Georgia Secretary of State’s professional license search. Then ask whether your project needs a building permit, and who will pull it. A roofer who says permits are never needed, or asks you to pull one in your own name, is a reason to slow down.

Get a written, itemized estimate

Get at least two or three estimates, and compare what each one includes, not just the total. A good estimate spells out the work so there are no surprises halfway through. Look for:

• The shingle or metal brand and product line, not just "architectural shingles"
• Whether the old roof is being torn off or covered over
• The price per sheet to replace rotted decking, since nobody can see it until the old roof is off
• Underlayment, flashing around chimneys and walls, drip edge and ventilation
• Cleanup and nail sweeping, and protection for your plants, gutters and driveway
• A start date, how long the job should take, and the payment schedule

Understand the two kinds of warranty

There are usually two warranties on a roof. The manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in the materials. The contractor’s workmanship warranty covers how the roof was installed, which is where most problems come from. Ask how long the workmanship warranty lasts, what it covers, and get it in writing with your contract.

Some manufacturers offer stronger warranties when the roof is installed by a contractor they have certified. If a roofer mentions a certification, ask which one and check it on the manufacturer’s website.

If a storm damaged your roof

Take photos of any damage you can see safely from the ground, call your homeowner’s insurance company, and have a roofer you chose do the inspection. Read anything you are asked to sign before you sign it, and be wary of agreements that hand control of your insurance claim to the contractor. If something is unclear, ask your insurance company before you sign.

Avoid paying the full price up front. A deposit for materials is common; paying everything before the work starts is not.

Questions to ask every roofer

• How long have you been roofing in Cherokee County, and can I see jobs near me?
• Who will be on my roof: your own crew or subcontractors?
• Can you send your certificate of insurance from your agent?
• Will you pull the permit for this job?
• What happens if you find rotted decking, and what does each sheet cost?
• What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
• How will you protect my yard, and how do you clean up nails?