How do you verify a roofing company's license and credentials in Georgia?
Short answer. Because Georgia does not issue a roofing license, verify credentials in layers: confirm the business is registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, check the state contractor license lookup if the company claims a residential or general license, get insurance certificates from the agent, and check manufacturer certification and local reviews. Each check takes minutes and together they filter out most problem contractors.
Step by step
- Business registration. Search the company name in the Georgia Secretary of State's corporations database. Look at the formation date and registered address. A company formed last month after a hailstorm deserves more questions.
- State contractor license, if claimed. If the company says it holds a residential or general contractor license, look it up on the Secretary of State's professional licensing search. Roofing only companies usually will not hold one, which is normal in Georgia.
- Local business license. Ask for the city or county business license or occupation tax certificate.
- Insurance. Ask the company's insurance agent to send you certificates for general liability and workers' compensation directly.
- Manufacturer certification. Shingle manufacturers list their certified contractors on their websites. Certification can unlock enhanced warranties.
- Reviews and history. Look for years of local reviews with specific details and photos.
- Permits. Confirm the company will pull the permit in its own name where one is required. See roofing permits in Georgia.
What credentials do not tell you
Paperwork shows a company exists and is insured. It does not show workmanship. For that, ask to see recent jobs, ask how flashing and ventilation are handled, and read the warranty. Our guide to choosing a Georgia roofing contractor covers those questions.