Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor in Savannah, GA

Why the Right Questions Protect Your Investment

Hiring a roofing contractor in Savannah is a high-stakes decision. A full roof replacement is one of the most expensive home improvements you'll ever make, and the consequences of hiring the wrong contractor range from voided warranties and poor workmanship to outright fraud. The Savannah area, like all of Coastal Georgia, sees an influx of out-of-state contractors after every major storm — companies that arrive, collect deposits, do substandard work (or no work at all), and disappear before problems surface.

Asking the right questions before signing a contract is your best defense. Here are the essential questions every Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, and Tybee Island homeowner should ask — and what the answers should sound like.

Licensing and Insurance

1. Are you licensed to perform roofing work in Georgia?

Georgia requires roofing contractors to hold a valid state license. Ask for the license number and verify it through the Georgia Secretary of State's website. The license confirms the contractor has met minimum requirements for competence and business operations. Any hesitation or excuse about licensing is an immediate disqualifier.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation?

General liability insurance protects your property if the crew damages it during the job. Workers' compensation covers injuries to workers on your property. Without workers' comp, you — the homeowner — can be held liable if a worker is injured on your roof. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you as additionally insured, and call the insurance company to verify the policy is current. Minimum liability coverage should be $1 million.

3. How long has your company operated in the Savannah area?

Local longevity matters for two reasons: it demonstrates business stability (critical for honoring workmanship warranties), and it means the contractor has experience with Savannah's specific conditions — our wind codes, historic district regulations, permitting processes, and the effects of salt air and humidity on roofing systems. Storm chasers and newly formed companies can't provide this local expertise or long-term warranty backing.

Materials and Specifications

4. What specific shingle brand and product line will you install?

A professional contractor names the exact product — "GAF Timberline HDZ in Charcoal" or "Atlas Pinnacle Pristine in Obsidian" — not just "30-year shingles." Generic descriptions suggest the contractor will use whatever's cheapest at the supply house that week. The specific product determines your warranty coverage, wind rating, algae resistance, and long-term performance.

5. What underlayment will you use, and will you install ice-and-water shield in the valleys?

This question separates contractors who understand roofing systems from those who just nail shingles. The answer should include a specific underlayment product (synthetic is the standard for Savannah), ice-and-water shield in valleys and at penetrations, and compliance with the manufacturer's requirements for enhanced warranty activation. If the contractor seems unsure or says "we just use felt paper," that's a concern.

6. Will you replace damaged decking, and how is that priced?

Decking damage is invisible until old shingles are removed. A professional contractor will explain their decking inspection process and pricing approach upfront — typically a per-sheet price for replacement plywood or OSB, triggered only when damage is found during tear-off. Contractors who include no provision for decking are either planning to install over damaged decking (bad) or planning to hit you with a surprise change order (worse).

Warranty and Protection

7. What manufacturer warranty tier will this installation qualify for?

The answer should reference a specific warranty program — GAF Golden Pledge, Atlas Platinum Pledge, etc. — not just "it comes with a warranty." Ask whether the warranty is backed by the manufacturer or only by the contractor. A manufacturer-backed warranty protects you even if the contractor goes out of business. This is one of the most important distinctions in roofing.

8. What is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?

Workmanship warranties vary from 1 year (minimal) to 25 years (excellent). Ask for the duration, what's covered (leaks from installation error, lifted shingles, flashing failure), and whether the warranty is transferable if you sell. Get it in writing as part of the contract — verbal promises have no legal standing.

9. Will you register the warranty with the manufacturer?

Many enhanced warranties require registration within 30–60 days of installation. If the contractor doesn't register it, you may default to the basic material-only warranty. Ask who handles registration and get confirmation in writing that it will be completed.

Process and Logistics

10. Will you pull the required Chatham County permit?

Roofing permits are required in Chatham County. A reputable contractor pulls the permit as part of their scope. Unpermitted work can create problems when you sell your home, file an insurance claim, or need warranty service. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit "to save you money," that's a major red flag.

11. Who will actually be on my roof — your employees or subcontractors?

Some contractors use their own trained crews; others subcontract the labor to third parties. Neither approach is inherently wrong, but you deserve to know who's doing the work. If subcontractors are used, verify that they carry their own workers' compensation insurance and that the general contractor takes responsibility for their workmanship.

12. What is your cleanup procedure, and do you use magnetic nail sweeps?

Roofing generates enormous debris — old shingles, nails, packaging, and dust. A professional contractor includes thorough cleanup in their scope: tarps around the perimeter during work, a dumpster for debris, magnetic nail sweeps of the entire property (yard, driveway, and street), and a final walkthrough with the homeowner. Leftover nails that puncture tires are one of the most common complaints about roofing projects.

13. What happens if it rains during the project?

In Savannah, rain interruptions are virtually guaranteed during summer. Ask how the crew protects exposed decking — the answer should involve synthetic underlayment installed the same day as tear-off, so the home is waterproof every night even if shingle installation continues the next day. A contractor who tears off an entire roof without a plan for rain is putting your home at serious risk.

Payment and Contract

14. What is your payment schedule?

Reputable contractors do not require full payment upfront. A typical structure is 30–50% deposit at contract signing (to cover material ordering) with the balance due upon completion. Any contractor demanding full payment before work begins should be avoided. Georgia law provides specific consumer protections against contractors who collect payment and fail to perform.

15. Will the final price match the estimate, or are there potential additional costs?

Legitimate additional costs include decking replacement (discovered during tear-off) and code-required upgrades not visible during the estimate. Everything else should be in the contract. Ask specifically about dump fees, permit costs, and drip edge — some contractors exclude these to present a lower initial estimate and add them as "extras" later.

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

• Knocking on your door unsolicited after a storm offering "free inspections"
• Pressuring you to sign immediately ("this price is only good today")
• Unable or unwilling to provide license number or insurance certificate
• Offering to waive your insurance deductible (this is insurance fraud in Georgia)
• No physical business address in the Savannah area
• Requesting full payment upfront or cash-only payment
• No written contract or a vague one-page agreement with no specifications