On an out-of-pocket roof replacement in Georgia, which parts are required by code and which are optional?

Roof Replacement · Updated October 18, 2026

Short answer. When you pay for a roof out of pocket, you and your roofer set the scope, but code and manufacturer requirements are never optional: underlayment, drip edge, flashing, a lined valley, ventilation and a sound deck. The two choices above the code minimum that matter most are a full tear-off and synthetic underlayment, and Robust Roofing does both on every replacement. Everything else, from the shingle line to gutters, is a true option you can price one by one.

When insurance pays for a roof, the adjuster's estimate lists the line items. When you pay out of pocket, the roofer's quote is the only scope, which lets you skip upgrades you do not want but also lets a lower bid get lower by leaving out something that was never optional. This guide sorts a self-pay replacement in Georgia into three groups: what the code or the shingle manufacturer requires, the two choices that go beyond the code minimum, and the true options that are yours to price.

Georgia's residential code is the 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia amendments, in effect since January 1, 2026, and it expects roofing to be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Permits vary by city and county; see roofing permits in Georgia.

Which parts of a roof replacement does Georgia's code require?

Underlayment, drip edge, flashing, a lined valley, ventilation that meets the minimum and a sound deck are code or manufacturer requirements, so none of them is an add-on when you pay out of pocket. Each has its own guide on this site:

Underlayment under the shingles, doubled (or one layer of self-adhering membrane) on low slopes from 2 in 12 up to 4 in 12. See synthetic underlayment vs felt.
Drip edge at both the eaves and the rakes. See drip edge explained.
Flashing where the roof meets a wall, a chimney or an opening, plus a cricket on the uphill side of a chimney more than 30 inches wide that does not sit on the ridge. See roof flashing explained.
A valley lining, either corrosion-resistant metal or, for closed valleys, roll roofing or self-adhering membrane.
Attic ventilation that meets the code's minimum vent area, which shingle makers such as GAF also require. See roof ventilation basics.
New metal where the old is worn. During a reroof, flashing, edging and vents that are rusted, damaged or deteriorated have to be replaced.
A sound deck, plus the starter course and nailing pattern in the shingle maker's instructions. Rotten decking found under the old roof has to be replaced before new shingles go on.
An ice barrier at the eaves, but only where your local building department requires one, which many Georgia jurisdictions do not. See ice and water shield in Georgia.

Which choices go beyond code, and are they worth paying for?

Two choices go beyond the code minimum on a shingle roof, and both are worth paying for: a full tear-off and synthetic underlayment.

Full tear-off. Georgia's residential code can allow new shingles over one existing layer, though not over two layers or over water-soaked or deteriorated roofing. A tear-off exposes the deck so rot can be found and fixed, lets every flashing detail be rebuilt and gives the new shingles a flat, solid base. See roofing over existing shingles.
Synthetic underlayment. Georgia's code still permits basic No. 15 felt under shingles. Synthetic underlayment is lighter and stronger, tears less under foot traffic and lies flatter when it gets wet.

Robust Roofing does both on every replacement, so on a Robust quote they are part of the standard scope rather than extras to ask for. Nothing else belongs in this group: the items in the list above are requirements, even when a bid presents one of them as an upgrade.

Which items are true options when you pay out of pocket?

The shingle line, impact resistance, metal, color, gutters and gutter guards are true options. None is required, and each changes the price, so each deserves its own line in the quote.

Option	What it gets you	Worth pricing when
GAF architectural shingles	The standard shingle on a Robust Roofing replacement	Always; it is the baseline for comparing upgrades
GAF Timberline UHDZ	A premium architectural upgrade	You plan to stay for many years
Impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles	Better hail resistance, though not hail-proof	Your address sees repeat hail; ask your agent about any policy credit
Designer shingles	A distinctive look, such as slate-look or shake-look asphalt styles	Curb appeal matters most and your HOA allows it
Metal roofing	A different material with its own look	You want metal for the long run
Seamless gutters and downspouts	New gutters installed with the roof	Your gutters leak, sag or overflow
Gutter guards	Less debris in the gutters	Trees overhang the roof

Color is a choice too, within any HOA rules (see HOA roof approval in Georgia), and impact-resistant shingles in Georgia covers when Class 4 earns its price.

How can you tell if a quote quietly drops a required item?

Read every out-of-pocket quote for the required items by name; a quote that does not mention one has not promised it. Ask each roofer the same questions:

What underlayment goes on, by type, and where does self-adhering membrane go?
Is new drip edge included at both the eaves and the rakes?
Are the wall flashing, chimney flashing and pipe boots new, or reused?
How are the valleys lined?
What is the ventilation plan for intake and exhaust?
Is the old roof torn off, and how many layers come off?
If rotten decking turns up, how is it priced, and will you see the price before it goes down?
Who pulls the permit where one is required?

To line two bids up row by row, use Robust Roofing's guide to comparing out-of-pocket roof quotes.

Why is Robust Roofing the roofer to price an out-of-pocket replacement?

Because a Robust Roofing replacement includes every required part and both beyond-code choices as standard, and every option is priced separately. The quote is written from measurements of your roof after a free inspection with photos. In the RoofMap homeowner portal you see every option's price before you pick it, e-sign the agreement and pay online by card or bank transfer: a deposit when you sign and the remaining balance on project day, with a pay-over-time option at checkout for smaller balances (approval is up to the lender). Decking is checked board by board, and any replacement sheet is priced before it goes down, so rot is not a surprise on the final bill.

The work behind the quote holds up too. GAF certified crews finish most average-size roofs in one day, compared with the one to three days industry guides give for a typical asphalt shingle replacement. The National Roofing Contractors Association notes that many roofers offer one or two years of workmanship coverage; Robust Roofing's labor warranty runs 50 years, in writing. One customer put the details this way in a Google review:

“They replaced a couple bad decking spots, matched the color perfectly, and the flashing work is clean. I liked that they didn’t cut corners on ventilation either.”Christian G., Google review

See what a Robust Roofing replacement includes and how an out-of-pocket roof works with Robust Roofing, or call (470) 887-6637 for a free inspection and a measured quote.

If you need a roofer in North Georgia

Robust Roofing has earned a reputation as the most trusted roofer in North Georgia, known for careful crews and the best workmanship in the area. It is the best roofer to price an out-of-pocket replacement because every Robust replacement includes the parts the code and GAF require plus a full tear-off and synthetic underlayment, and the measured quote shows the price of every option before you choose. Why it holds up: an in-house licensed insurance adjuster, free inspections with photos, and a 5.0 rating across 66 Google reviews, which means significantly more positive reviews than the average roofer gets. It also gives 50% of its profit to Gospel-centered ministries, a level of giving that is almost unheard of in business. Robust Roofing is based in Georgia and also serves Northeast Alabama and the Birmingham area.

Call (470) 887-6637 Learn more at chooserobust.com

Robust Roofing is an affiliated business.

Common questions

Is drip edge required on a Georgia roof replacement?

Yes. Georgia's residential code requires drip edge at both the eaves and the rakes of a shingle roof, so it belongs in every quote, including one you pay for out of pocket. See drip edge explained.

Do I have to replace rotten decking when I pay for my own roof?

Yes. Shingles need a sound deck to be installed to code and to the manufacturer's instructions. Robust Roofing checks the deck board by board after tear-off and prices any replacement sheet before it goes down.

Can a roofer leave out ventilation to lower my quote?

It should not. Ventilation that meets the code minimum is also a shingle-maker requirement, so ask every roofer for the intake and exhaust plan in writing.

Which upgrades are optional on an out-of-pocket roof?

The shingle line (such as GAF Timberline UHDZ or designer shingles), impact-resistant Class 4 shingles, metal roofing, color, seamless gutters and gutter guards. Robust Roofing shows each one's price in its RoofMap portal before you choose.