Roof Replacement Cost in Georgia: 2026 Prices, Laws and Storm Data

Roof replacement cost in Georgia usually runs $8,000 to $20,000, and Fixr puts the most common job, about 2,000 sq ft of architectural asphalt shingles, near $12,000. This Old House reports a Georgia average of $8,918 (June 2026). Labor is why Georgia sits below the national price: the state’s roofers earn a mean $23.29 an hour, about 83 percent of the U.S. mean of $27.95, per BLS May 2025 data.

This page covers what is specific to Georgia: the 2024 code edition that took effect on January 1, 2026, the state’s lack of a roofing license, Georgia’s insurance-claim roofing law, a decade of NOAA storm records, and the new storm mitigation grants scheduled for 2027. For national ranges by material and size, start with our roof replacement cost guide. For how Atlanta compares with other big metros, see roof replacement cost by metro.

By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.

Key numbers at a glance

These are the Georgia figures most homeowners come looking for, each tied to a named source and the job it describes. They are typical ranges, not quotes. Roof size, pitch, the number of old layers and the material decide where a specific house lands, and code and permit figures apply statewide or only to the named city.

Measure	Georgia figure	U.S. or comparison	Source
Typical replacement, 2,000 sq ft architectural shingle roof	About $12,000; range $8,000 to $20,000	National average about $12,000	Fixr, Georgia (updated Jan. 31, 2025)
Georgia average roof replacement	$8,918; range $6,965 to $21,455	Not stated	This Old House, Georgia (updated June 16, 2026), RSMeans data
30-square asphalt shingle replacement, Atlanta	$29,851 (68.6% recouped at resale)	$31,871 national; $32,253 South Atlantic	Cost vs. Value Report 2025 (JLC)
30-square standing-seam metal replacement, Atlanta	$43,826 (61.5% recouped)	$51,865 national	Cost vs. Value Report 2025 (JLC)
Roofer mean hourly wage	$23.29 (83% of U.S.)	$27.95	BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 47-2181
Atlanta reroof permit, $12,000 job	About $385; city minimum permit $150 plus $25 technology fee	About $226 average across 26 cities	PermitCalculator 2026; City of Atlanta Office of Buildings
Hurricane and tropical storm property damage recorded in Georgia, 2016 to 2025	About $3.2 billion, mostly Michael (2018) and Helene (2024)	Hail at 1 inch or larger: 917 reports, 27th among states	NOAA Storm Events Database, Roofing Brief tally
Residential code in force	2024 IRC with Georgia amendments, effective Jan. 1, 2026	Varies by state	Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
State roofing license	None; roofing is an exempt specialty trade	Varies by state	O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(f); Georgia Secretary of State

How much does a new roof cost in Georgia?

A new roof in Georgia usually costs $8,000 to $20,000, with about $12,000 typical for a 2,000 sq ft architectural shingle roof, per Fixr’s Georgia data. This Old House reports an average of $8,918, built from RSMeans pricing. Steep pitches, two old layers to strip, decking repairs and metal or tile push totals past $20,000.

The Cost vs. Value Report shows a much higher Atlanta number, $29,851, because it prices a different job: a 30-square (3,000 sq ft) hip roof torn off to bare sheathing, with new underlayment and two skylights. That works out to about $9.95 per sq ft of roof in Atlanta. A typical Atlanta replacement on 1,700 to 2,200 sq ft of roof falls between $8,000 and $20,000, with a midpoint near $14,000, in our metro price data.

Published Georgia averages disagree mainly because each source prices a different roof size. The table lines them up so you can compare a bid against the row that matches your roof.

Source	Georgia figure	Roof it describes	Implied cost per sq ft of roof
This Old House (June 2026)	$6,965 asphalt; $8,918 average	About 1,436 sq ft of roof (Roofing Brief calculation: $6,965 divided by its $4.85 per sq ft)	$4.85 asphalt
Fixr Georgia guide (Jan. 2025)	$12,000 typical; $8,000 to $20,000	2,000 sq ft architectural shingle roof	About $6.00
The Roofing Brief metro data (2026)	Atlanta $8,000 to $20,000, midpoint about $14,000	1,700 to 2,200 sq ft architectural roof with tear-off	About $6.40 to $8.20 at the midpoint
Cost vs. Value 2025, Atlanta	$29,851 asphalt; $43,826 metal	3,000 sq ft hip roof, two skylights, full tear-off	$9.95 asphalt; $14.61 metal

A $16,000 bid can be normal for a large one-story ranch and high for a small two-story house. Our roof replacement cost calculator shows how to turn floor area into roof squares before you judge a quote.

Georgia roof replacement cost by material

Asphalt shingles are the cheapest full replacement in Georgia at about $3 to $5 per sq ft installed, and architectural shingles run $4 to $10, per Fixr’s Georgia guide. Metal runs $7 to $15, and clay tile and slate $12 to $25. This Old House’s Georgia averages land inside those ranges, at $4.85 for asphalt and $9.56 for metal.

Material	Fixr Georgia, installed per sq ft	This Old House Georgia, per sq ft	Total on a 2,000 sq ft roof (Fixr range)	Source
Asphalt shingles (3-tab)	$3 to $5	$4.85 (all asphalt)	$6,000 to $10,000	Fixr (Jan. 31, 2025); This Old House (June 16, 2026)
Architectural shingles	$4 to $10	Not split out	$8,000 to $20,000	Fixr
Metal	$7 to $15	$9.56	$14,000 to $30,000	Fixr; This Old House
Cedar or wood	$7 to $12	$11.03	$14,000 to $24,000	Fixr; This Old House
Concrete tile	$10 to $20	Not listed	$20,000 to $40,000	Fixr
Clay tile	$12 to $25	$14.83	$24,000 to $50,000	Fixr; This Old House
Slate	$12 to $25	$14.93	$24,000 to $50,000	Fixr; This Old House

The last numeric column is our arithmetic, Fixr’s per-sq-ft range times 2,000 sq ft, and assumes a walkable pitch. Our site-wide baseline in the 2026 roofing cost report is $5 to $8 per sq ft for architectural asphalt nationally; Georgia’s lower labor rates pull typical bids toward the bottom half of that band. Tile and slate over 7.5 pounds per sq ft need an engineered review of the roof structure under the 2024 IRC re-roof guide published by Tifton, Georgia, which adds design cost on top of the material price. For metal-specific numbers, see our metal roof cost guide.

Roof cost by house size, including a 2,200 sq ft house

A 2,200 sq ft Georgia house carries about 1,340 sq ft of roof if it is two stories and about 2,680 sq ft if it is a one-story ranch, in our estimate. At Fixr’s typical Georgia rate of about $6 per sq ft for architectural shingles, that is roughly $8,000 for the two-story and $16,100 for the ranch.

The worked table converts floor area to roof area so you can sanity-check a bid. Roofing Brief estimate, with the arithmetic shown: roof area equals the home’s footprint times 1.09 (one-foot eaves on a typical rectangular plan) times 1.118 (the slope factor for a 6/12 pitch). A two-story house has a footprint of half its floor area. This Old House’s column uses its own blended one- and two-story method.

Home floor area	Roof area, one story	Cost at $6 per sq ft, one story	Roof area, two story	Cost at $6 per sq ft, two story	This Old House Georgia, by home size
1,500 sq ft	1,828 sq ft	About $11,000	914 sq ft	About $5,500	$9,094
2,000 sq ft	2,437 sq ft	About $14,600	1,219 sq ft	About $7,300	$9,272
2,200 sq ft	2,681 sq ft	About $16,100	1,340 sq ft	About $8,000	Not listed
2,262 sq ft (Georgia median per This Old House)	2,757 sq ft	About $16,500	1,378 sq ft	About $8,300	Not listed
3,000 sq ft	3,656 sq ft	About $21,900	1,828 sq ft	About $11,000	$11,941

Sources: Fixr Georgia ($12,000 for 2,000 sq ft of architectural roof, about $6 per sq ft); This Old House Georgia, by home square footage. At Fixr’s full $4 to $10 architectural range, the 2,200 sq ft ranch spans about $10,700 to $26,800 and the two-story about $5,400 to $13,400. Steeper pitches raise the slope factor: 8/12 is 1.202 and 10/12 is 1.302. Our 2,000 sq ft roof cost and 3,000 sq ft roof cost guides walk through other sizes.

Roof costs across Georgia metros

Atlanta is Georgia’s most expensive roofing labor market, with a mean roofer wage of $23.94 an hour in May 2025, while Augusta and Columbus sit near $21.60. Atlanta also employs two of every three payroll roofers in the state. Only Atlanta has Cost vs. Value roofing prices, so the smaller metros are compared on wages.

Metro area	Roofer mean hourly (May 2025)	Share of U.S. mean	Roofer median hourly	Roofers employed	Contractor list
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell	$23.94	86%	$23.61	1,440	Best roofers in Atlanta
Savannah	$22.55	81%	$23.43	70	Best roofers in Savannah
Macon-Bibb County	$22.35	80%	$22.13	40	Best roofers in Macon
Augusta-Richmond County (GA-SC)	$21.70	78%	$19.92	90	Best roofers in Augusta
Columbus (GA-AL)	$21.55	77%	$20.81	80	Best roofers in Columbus
Georgia statewide	$23.29	83%	$22.57	2,160	All metros listed below
United States	$27.95	100%	$26.65	135,490	Roofer salary by state

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2181 (Roofers), state, national and metropolitan estimates. BLS does not publish a roofer wage for the Athens, Gainesville, Warner Robins, Albany, Valdosta or Dalton metro areas. The Augusta and Columbus areas include South Carolina and Alabama counties. Small samples (40 roofers in Macon) make metro wages rough, and OEWS counts payroll employees only, not self-employed roofers.

Why Georgia labor makes a roof cheaper than the U.S. average

Georgia roofs cost less mainly because Georgia roofers are paid less. The state’s mean roofer wage is 16.7 percent below the U.S. mean, and labor is 40 to 60 percent of an installed roof, per Fixr. That predicts a Georgia job about 7 to 10 percent below the national price, and Atlanta’s Cost vs. Value asphalt figure lands 6.3 percent below.

Step	Georgia statewide	Atlanta metro	Source or method
Roofer mean hourly wage	$23.29	$23.94	BLS OEWS, May 2025
Gap vs U.S. mean of $27.95	16.7% lower	14.3% lower	Roofing Brief calculation
Predicted price gap at a 40% labor share	6.7% lower	5.7% lower	Gap times 0.40 (labor share per Fixr)
Predicted price gap at a 60% labor share	10.0% lower	8.6% lower	Gap times 0.60
Actual gap, 30-square asphalt job	Not published statewide	6.3% lower ($29,851 vs $31,871)	Cost vs. Value 2025
Actual gap, 30-square metal job	Not published statewide	15.5% lower ($43,826 vs $51,865)	Cost vs. Value 2025

Atlanta’s asphalt price sits inside the range that wages alone predict. Its metal discount is deeper than wages explain, which points to local panel pricing and contractor competition as added factors. Materials are priced on national supply chains, so a material upgrade, such as Class 4 shingles or standing-seam metal, moves a Georgia bid by a larger percentage than the same upgrade does in a high-wage state. For labor-only pricing, see roofing labor cost per square.

What changes the price of a roof in Georgia

Beyond size and material, the Georgia price movers are the tear-off rules in the 2024 code, local permit fees, any optional high-wind appendix your city or county has adopted, algae-resistant shingles, storm-season demand, and how your insurer handles wind damage. The table maps each driver to its usual effect and the source behind it.

Driver	Effect on a Georgia quote	Source
Existing layers	A recover is barred over two or more existing layers, over slate or tile, or over a water-soaked or deteriorated roof, so those jobs need a full tear-off and more disposal	2024 IRC R908.3.1.1, as summarized in Tifton, Georgia’s 2024 re-roof guide
Local permit	Atlanta’s minimum permit is $150 plus a $25 technology fee; about $385 on a $12,000 reroof	City of Atlanta Office of Buildings; PermitCalculator 2026
Optional Appendix U (Disaster Resilient Construction)	Where a city or county adopts its roofing section: taped deck seams, two-layer underlayment and at least six nails per strip shingle	DCA, IRC 2026 Georgia amendments, Appendix U, Section AU408
Decking found rotten at tear-off	About $500 to $1,000 for typical rot repair; often invisible until the old roof is off	This Old House, Georgia
Algae-resistant shingles	Common in Georgia’s humid climate; algae warranties run 10 years (Owens Corning StreakGuard) to 25 years (GAF StainGuard Plus)	Manufacturer warranty documents, via our algae report
FORTIFIED upgrade	About $1,000 to $3,000 over a code reroof on a 2,000 sq ft home, plus a $325 to $475 evaluator fee	IBHS, via our FORTIFIED roof cost guide
Spring storm season	About 77% of Georgia’s 1-inch-plus hail reports fall in March to June, and June leads for damaging wind, when crews book out	NOAA Storm Events, 2016 to 2025, Roofing Brief tally
Sales tax on materials	Built into the bid: Georgia treats a contractor improving real property as the consumer of the materials, so the roofer pays the tax when buying them	Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. 560-12-2-.26
Percentage wind or hail deductible	A 2 percent deductible on a $350,000 dwelling limit is $7,000 out of pocket on a claim, which can outweigh the gap between two bids	Your policy declarations page (example arithmetic)

Georgia building code rules for a reroof in 2026

Georgia homes fall under the 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia amendments, which took effect on January 1, 2026, per the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The Georgia amendments do not change the IRC’s Chapter 9 roofing rules, so the 2024 IRC’s roof-covering and re-roofing sections apply as written, plus any local amendments.

Three code points shape a Georgia roof bid:

• Tear-off triggers. Under 2024 IRC R908.3.1.1, a new covering cannot go over an existing roof that is water-soaked or deteriorated, that is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile, or that already has two or more layers. Tifton’s 2024 re-roof guide sums it up: no more than two layers allowed on completion.
• Inspections. Tifton’s guide says the permit holder must call for a final roof inspection and that a mid-roof inspection may be required. Atlanta and other cities set their own permit steps, so ask the building department before work starts.
• Optional high-wind rules. DCA publishes Appendix U, Disaster Resilient Construction, which a city or county may adopt by ordinance. Its roofing section calls for taped sheathing joints, a two-layer underlayment and at least six fasteners per strip shingle, and it offers minimum design wind speeds of 100, 110, 120 or 130 mph.

DCA has also adopted revised Georgia amendments to the 2024 codes that take effect on January 1, 2027, so check which version your permit falls under if the job straddles the new year. Georgia treats the International Existing Building Code as optional unless a local government adopts it. Our roof permit cost by metro report compares Atlanta’s fee with 25 other cities.

Storms that drive Georgia roof replacements

Georgia’s roof damage comes mostly from wind, not hail. From 2016 to 2025, NOAA logged 8,679 thunderstorm wind reports and 612 tornadoes in Georgia, but only 917 hail reports of 1 inch or larger, 27th among states. Hurricanes Michael (2018) and Helene (2024) account for most of about $3.2 billion in recorded tropical storm and hurricane property damage.

Georgia storm measure, 2016 to 2025	Count or value	Comparison
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger	917 (1.3% of U.S. total)	Texas 11,063; U.S. 70,905
Hail reports, 1.75 inches (golf ball) or larger	174	38 at 2 inches or larger
Largest reported hailstone	4.0 inches, near Ticknor, Colquitt County, June 14, 2023	Single report
Share of 1-inch-plus hail in March to June	77% (703 of 917)	April (210) and March (200) lead
Counties with the most 1-inch-plus hail reports	Fulton 33; Cherokee 23; Bulloch 23; Gwinnett 19; Chatham 17; Forsyth 17; Cobb 16	Report counts track where storms were observed
Thunderstorm wind reports	8,679; peak year 2023 (1,951)	June leads with 2,113
Tornadoes	612; peak year 2017 (147)	About 61 a year
Recorded property damage, tropical storm and hurricane events	About $3.21 billion	Hail events: about $44 million recorded

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database annual detail files 2016 to 2025, deduplicated by event ID; Roofing Brief tally. Damage figures are NOAA’s recorded estimates, which are approximate and often incomplete for hail.

The two hurricanes hit different parts of the state, which matters if you live outside the coast:

Storm	Recorded Georgia property damage	Counties with the largest recorded damage	Nearby metro roofer lists
Hurricane Michael, October 2018	About $1.52 billion (hurricane events)	Decatur, Dougherty and Seminole ($300 million each), Miller ($250 million), Early ($150 million)	Albany
Hurricane Helene, September 2024	About $1.57 billion (hurricane and tropical storm events)	Lowndes ($501 million), Richmond ($500 million), Columbia ($225 million)	Valdosta, Augusta

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, Roofing Brief tally by county or forecast zone. After a hurricane, local crews fill with insurance work and prices and wait times rise. If your roof is aging but undamaged, booking in late fall or winter, after hurricane season and before spring hail, usually means more crew availability. Our cheapest month to replace a roof index shows national roofing employment bottoming out in January and February.

Heat, humidity and roof algae in Georgia

Georgia’s humidity makes algae streaking a standard part of the roofing conversation. By morning humidity normals, Georgia ties for fourth among states, with Macon at 86 percent, and Atlanta averages 81 percent in the morning, per NOAA normals compiled in our algae report. Algae-resistant shingles are the usual answer, and the warranty length varies by maker.

Algae-resistant shingles mix copper or zinc granules into the surface to inhibit the cyanobacterium that causes black streaks. Algae warranties run from 10 years for Owens Corning StreakGuard to 25 years for GAF StainGuard Plus, per manufacturer warranty documents. Ask each bidder to name the shingle line and its algae warranty term so the bids compare like for like. Streaks are mostly cosmetic, and ARMA’s cleaning guidance uses a bleach mix, a 15 to 20 minute dwell and a low-pressure rinse. Our roof algae by region report ranks every state.

Heat and humidity also shorten shingle life. This Old House puts typical asphalt life in Georgia at 15 to 22 years, against 20 to 30 years in milder climates. Our roof lifespan guide covers what shortens or extends it.

Does Georgia require roofers to be licensed?

No. Georgia does not issue a state roofing license. O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(f) lets specialty contractors work for an owner without a residential or general contractor license, and the Georgia Secretary of State lists Shingles and Shakes, Sheet Metal Roofing and Flat Roofing among those traditional specialty trades. Local business licensing and permit rules still apply.

The exemption has limits. A roofer without a residential or general contractor license may do other licensed work for an owner only when it is incidental to and part of the roofing job and does not exceed the greater of $10,000 or 25 percent of the contract value, per O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(f). A roof job that grows into framing, additions or other structural work may need a licensed contractor.

Without a state license to look up, homeowners lean on other checks: the city or county business license (many Georgia governments call it an occupation tax certificate), the contractor’s certificate of liability insurance confirmed with the insurer, manufacturer certification, and a physical local address. Georgia’s exposure to storm-chasing crews is high for the same reason; our storm-chaser contractors by state report ranks it second, and our roofing contractor red flags list covers the warning signs.

Insurance claims and Georgia roofing law

Georgia gives homeowners specific rights when a roof is paid for with insurance money. Under O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12, you may cancel a roofing contract until midnight on the fifth business day after your insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered, and the roofer may not demand payment during that window except for emergency work.

Georgia rule	What it means for your roof	Source
Five-business-day cancellation after a claim denial	The contract must include a boldface cancellation statement and a detachable Notice of Cancellation form	O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12(b) and (c), added by HB 423 (2012)
No payment during the cancellation window	Only emergency work you acknowledged in writing can be billed before the period ends	O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12(d)
Roofer may not negotiate your claim	The roofer cannot act for you on the claim unless it is a licensed public adjuster	O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12(e)
No paying or rebating your deductible	Promising to pay or rebate a deductible, including a discount for a yard sign, is a misdemeanor	O.C.G.A. 33-23-43(c)(4) and (e), added by HB 423 (2012)
Protect the roof after damage	Temporary repairs are your responsibility; keep receipts for reimbursement	Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance, Consumer Guide for Homeowners Insurance
Aerial or satellite images used to cancel or nonrenew (from Jan. 1, 2027)	The insurer must share the dated images, offer an appeal and give at least 60 days to fix the condition	O.C.G.A. 33-9-45, enacted by HB 1344 (2026)
Catastrophe claim deadlines (from Jan. 1, 2027)	After a declared disaster, the Commissioner may require insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days and affirm or deny within 60 days of proof of loss	HB 1344 (2026), Part IV

A standard homeowners policy may pay for wind or hail damage from a covered storm but not for wear, and some policies settle older roofs at actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation. Check your declarations page for a separate wind or hail deductible and the roof settlement basis before storm season. Our guide to whether homeowners insurance covers roof damage explains the policy language.

Georgia programs and insurance discounts for a new roof

Georgia law now ties insurance savings to stronger roofs. Since March 1, 2025, insurers must offer a premium discount or rate reduction for homes certified to IBHS FORTIFIED standards, under O.C.G.A. 33-32-11 (HB 279, 2024). A state grant program for roof retrofits is scheduled to start in 2027, subject to funding.

• FORTIFIED discounts. The discount applies to the wind portion of the premium (or the whole premium if the insurer does not split it out), needs a certificate from an IBHS-certified evaluator, and its size is set by each insurer’s filed rating plan, not by the statute. Get the amount in writing before paying for the upgrade.
• Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program. HB 1344 (2026) creates grants for roof retrofits that meet FORTIFIED Roof or Georgia Strong Home guidelines: up to $6,000 matching or $7,500 nonmatching. The act takes effect January 1, 2027, depends on appropriations, and states it creates no entitlement, so check the Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s office for when applications open.
• Federal credits. Asphalt and metal roofs stopped qualifying for the 25C credit after 2022, and Public Law 119-21 ended 25C for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. The 25D credit for solar roofing ended for systems installed after that date. Check current IRS guidance and a tax professional.

Our FORTIFIED roof cost guide separates the upgrade cost from the base reroof, and our impact-resistant shingle insurance discount by state report compares carrier programs.

Which roof should you pick in Georgia?

For most Georgia homes, architectural asphalt with an algae-resistant granule package is the value choice, and it recouped 68.6 percent of its cost at resale in Atlanta. Standing-seam metal suits long ownership and hurricane-exposed areas, and a FORTIFIED Roof makes sense when your insurer’s filed discount offsets the upgrade.

Your situation	Usually the better pick	Why	Source
Selling within about five years	Architectural asphalt	Atlanta asphalt recouped 68.6% at resale vs 61.5% for metal	Cost vs. Value 2025
Staying 25 years or more	Standing-seam metal	About 1.47 times the asphalt price in Atlanta ($43,826 vs $29,851), spread over a longer life	Cost vs. Value 2025
Coastal or south Georgia, hurricane exposure	FORTIFIED Roof on shingles or metal	Insurers must offer a FORTIFIED discount; 2027 grants may cover part of the upgrade	O.C.G.A. 33-32-11; HB 1344
Shaded lot or humid low-lying area	Shingles with an algae-resistant warranty	Algae warranties run 10 to 25 years depending on the line	Manufacturer warranty documents
Two layers of old shingles	Full tear-off	A third layer is not allowed	2024 IRC R908.3.1.1
Tight budget, small simple roof	3-tab or entry architectural asphalt	$3 to $5 per sq ft installed for asphalt in Georgia	Fixr Georgia

How to get an accurate roof replacement quote in Georgia

An accurate Georgia roof quote starts with the roof’s actual area, a named shingle or panel line, a tear-off and decking allowance, and the permit listed as a line item. If insurance is paying, the contract must carry Georgia’s cancellation notice. These eight steps get you to bids you can compare line by line.

1. Measure roof area in squares (100 sq ft each), not the home’s floor area, and ask for the waste factor used.
2. Count existing layers. Two or more layers mean a mandatory tear-off under 2024 IRC R908.3.1.1.
3. Ask each roofer to name the shingle line, its wind rating, its algae warranty term and any impact class (UL 2218).
4. Confirm the bid includes tear-off, disposal, underlayment, drip edge, flashing and a per-sheet price for replacement decking.
5. Have the contractor pull the permit, list the fee, and say whether your city or county enforces Appendix U high-wind roofing.
6. If insurance is involved, check for the boldface cancellation statement and Notice of Cancellation form required by O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12, and refuse any offer to cover your deductible.
7. Verify the business license, a certificate of insurance confirmed with the insurer, and a physical local address, since Georgia has no state roofing license to look up.
8. Pay in stages as work is completed, and keep the final inspection record, warranty registration and lien waivers.

Find vetted roofers in Georgia metros

We research and score roofing contractors metro by metro using certifications, licensing or registration checks, and review data. Each page lists the firms that passed our checks in that Georgia market, and explains when a market has too few qualifying firms to rank.

Metro Atlanta and north Georgia: best roofers in Atlanta, Athens, Gainesville and Dalton.

Middle Georgia and the fall line: best roofers in Macon, Warner Robins, Augusta and Columbus.

Coastal and south Georgia: best roofers in Savannah, Albany and Valdosta.

For a neighboring-state comparison, see roof replacement cost in Florida. To the northeast, see our North Carolina roof replacement cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a roof in Georgia?

Most Georgia homeowners pay $8,000 to $20,000, and Fixr puts the typical 2,000 sq ft architectural shingle job near $12,000. This Old House reports a Georgia average of $8,918 (June 2026). A large 3,000 sq ft hip roof with two skylights costs $29,851 in Atlanta in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, and the same roof in standing-seam metal costs $43,826.

How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 2,200 square foot house?

In Georgia, expect about $8,000 for a two-story 2,200 sq ft house and about $16,100 for a one-story ranch, in our estimate at Fixr’s typical $6 per sq ft for architectural shingles. The ranch carries about twice the roof, roughly 2,680 sq ft versus 1,340 sq ft at a 6/12 pitch. Steeper pitches, metal and extra tear-off layers raise the total.

Will insurance cover a 20 year old roof?

It can, if a covered peril such as wind or hail damaged it, but the payout may be reduced. Many policies settle older roofs at actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation, and no policy pays to replace a roof just because it is worn out. From January 1, 2027, Georgia insurers that cancel or nonrenew based on aerial images must give you at least 60 days to fix the problem.

What is the 25% rule for roofing?

The 25 percent rule is a Florida Building Code provision: when more than 25 percent of a roof section is repaired or replaced within 12 months, the whole section must meet current code, though Florida’s 2022 law (SB 4-D) exempts roofs built to the 2007 code or later. Georgia has no such statewide rule; its 2024 IRC with Georgia amendments contains no 25 percent trigger.

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Georgia?

Usually, yes. Cities and counties issue reroof permits under Georgia’s 2024 residential code, and fees vary. Atlanta’s minimum permit is $150 plus a $25 technology fee, and PermitCalculator puts a $12,000 Atlanta reroof near $385. Tifton’s re-roof guide requires a final roof inspection. Ask your building department, and have the contractor pull the permit in its own name.

Is it cheaper to replace a roof with shingles or metal in Georgia?

Shingles are cheaper upfront. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report prices the same 3,000 sq ft Atlanta roof at $29,851 in asphalt and $43,826 in standing-seam metal, about 1.47 times more. Fixr’s Georgia ranges are $3 to $5 per sq ft for asphalt and $7 to $15 for metal. Asphalt also recouped more at resale in Atlanta, 68.6 percent versus 61.5 percent.

Does Georgia require roofers to be licensed?

No. Georgia has no state roofing license. Roofing is an exempt specialty trade under O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(f), and the Secretary of State lists shingles and shakes, sheet metal roofing and flat roofing among those trades. A roofer may still need a city or county business license, and other licensed work on the job is capped at the greater of $10,000 or 25 percent of the contract.

Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible in Georgia?

No. Under O.C.G.A. 33-23-43(c)(4), promising to pay or rebate any part of an insurance deductible to win a job is a misdemeanor, and that includes discounts for displaying a yard sign. The Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division warns that a deductible offer can implicate the homeowner in insurance fraud. Pay your deductible and report offers to the Georgia Department of Insurance.

Sources

• Fixr, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof in Georgia?" updated January 31, 2025.
• This Old House, "The Cost of a Roof Replacement in Georgia," updated June 16, 2026 (RSMeans data from Gordian).
• Cost vs. Value Report 2025, Journal of Light Construction: Atlanta, Georgia city report, South Atlantic region and national averages, Roofing Replacement (Asphalt Shingles) and (Metal).
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2181 Roofers: U.S., Georgia, and the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Savannah, Macon-Bibb County, Augusta-Richmond County and Columbus metropolitan areas.
• Georgia Department of Community Affairs: Current State Minimum Codes for Construction; Georgia State Amendments to the International Residential Code (2024 Edition), revised January 1, 2026, including Appendix U, Disaster Resilient Construction; New Georgia Codes and Amendments effective January 1, 2027; Georgia amendments to the IBC on the optional status of the International Existing Building Code.
• City of Tifton, Georgia, 2024 IRC Residential Re-Roof building guide (SAFEbuilt, January 2026).
• City of Atlanta, Office of Buildings, Residential Permits (ATL311 knowledge article); PermitCalculator, Atlanta, GA, fee data checked September 28, 2026.
• O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12 (Fair Business Practices Act, residential roofing contractors) and O.C.G.A. 33-23-43, as enacted by House Bill 423 (2012) and as currently codified.
• O.C.G.A. 43-41-17; Georgia Secretary of State, State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, Traditional Specialty Contractors Policy Statements.
• Georgia House Bill 279 (2024), O.C.G.A. 33-32-10 and 33-32-11, windstorm mitigation premium discounts.
• Georgia House Bill 1344 (2026), Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act, including O.C.G.A. 33-9-45 and the Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program Act (O.C.G.A. 33-32-20 to 33-32-28), effective January 1, 2027.
• Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, Consumer Guide for Homeowners Insurance; Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, "Beware of roofers scamming storm victims."
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Tax Guide for Contractors; Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. 560-12-2-.26 (Contractors).
• NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, annual detail files 2016 to 2025 (Roofing Brief tally, deduplicated by event ID).
• Public Law 119-21, sections 70505 and 70506; IRS guidance on the 25C and 25D credits.

Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Prices, fees, code editions and program status change; confirm current figures with your local building department, your insurer and at least three contractors.