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Roofing Contractors in Alpharetta: Questions to Ask First

By Alpharetta Roof Repairs · September 8, 2026 · 5 min read

There are more roofing companies working North Fulton than there are Waffle Houses, and the number doubles the week after a storm. Most are fine. Some are a truck, a magnetic sign and a subcontracted crew from three states away. The way to sort them isn't a star rating — it's ten minutes of questions, asked before you sign anything. Here they are, with what a good answer sounds like.

The paperwork and the people

1. "What license do you hold?"

This is the trick question, and it's the one to ask first. Georgia does not license roofers. The state's residential contractor license specifically exempts roofing, so there is no Georgia roofing license number. A contractor who says "we're state licensed roofers" and gives you a number is either confused or lying, and either way you've learned something.

The right answer: "Georgia doesn't license roofing. We're registered with the Secretary of State as a business, we hold an occupational tax certificate from the city, and we carry general liability and workers' comp — here are the certificates." Roofing contractors Alpharetta homeowners can trust know this and say it plainly.

2. "Can you send the insurance certificates from your insurer?"

Not a photocopy from the contractor. A certificate of insurance emailed to you directly by the insurance agent, naming you as certificate holder, for both general liability and workers' compensation. A crew without workers' comp is a crew whose fall from your 12/12 roof becomes a claim against your homeowners policy.

3. "Who is actually doing the work?"

Most roofing companies use crews rather than employees. That's normal. What you want to know is whether the crew is one the company uses every week and supervises, or whoever was available. Ask who will be on site the day of the job and whether a company foreman will be there.

4. "Will you go in the attic?"

A good estimate comes from the roof and the attic. Satellite measurements are useful for a shingle count; they don't show the decking, the ventilation, or the water trail. A roofer who quotes a $25,000 replacement without opening the attic hatch is guessing at the part of the job that changes the price most.

The job itself

5. "What exactly is in the quote?"

You want a written, itemized scope: tear-off, underlayment type, where the ice-and-water membrane goes, the named shingle product and wind rating, nails per shingle, a per-sheet decking allowance, new flashing and boots, ridge vent, cleanup, and both warranties in years. The cost page has the full list. A quote that says "replace roof, 40 sq, $19,500" isn't a scope, it's a number.

6. "How do you handle the HOA?"

Most Alpharetta subdivisions require architectural review for a color or profile change, and the golf communities in Johns Creek review everything. A roofer who works here regularly has a submittal package ready — spec sheet, physical sample, photos — and knows not to order material until it's approved. One who says "HOAs don't usually care" hasn't worked in Windward.

7. "What happens if it rains?"

Summer afternoon storms are the schedule risk here. The answer you want: the crew tears off only what it can dry in before the forecast turns, and no deck is left open overnight. The answer you don't want: "we'll tarp it."

8. "What's the payment schedule?"

Reasonable: a modest deposit when material is ordered (many roofers take none for a repair), the balance on completion after you've walked the job. Not reasonable: 50% up front, or full payment before the shingles arrive. Georgia sees deposit scams after every storm season — someone collects $8,000 to "order materials" and is never seen again.

9. "Can I see the last two roofs you did near here?"

Not a testimonial — an address. Drive past. Look at whether the ridge line is straight, whether the flashing at the chimney is a clean step-and-counter job, and whether the yard has nails in it. Any company doing roofing in Alpharetta GA every week has a job within a mile of you.

10. "Do I have to decide today?"

If the answer is yes — the price only holds today, the crew is only available tomorrow, the storm-damage window is closing — walk away. A written estimate should be good for 30 days. Roofs that have lasted 22 years last another week.

Storm-specific questions

After a thunderstorm or hail event, add three more:

• "Are you asking me to sign an assignment of benefits or a contingency agreement?" These hand control of your insurance claim to the contractor. Don't sign one at the door.
• "Will you absorb my deductible?" The only right answer is no. Inflating the invoice to cover a deductible is insurance fraud in Georgia.
• "Where is your office?" A street address in North Fulton or the surrounding counties, not a P.O. box and a phone number with an out-of-state area code.

The one-page version

Georgia doesn't license roofers, so the paperwork you can check is business registration, an occupational tax certificate, and two insurance certificates sent from the insurer. Beyond that: attic inspection before the quote, an itemized written scope, a sensible payment schedule, an HOA plan, a local address, and no pressure. Our about page lays out how we answer each of these, and the storm-chaser section of the storm damage page covers what happens after the door-knockers leave.