Roofing questions, answered straight

There's no single price — it depends on your roof's size and pitch, the shingle system, how many layers come off, and complexity like valleys, chimneys, and skylights. That's why an honest number requires a look at your specific roof. We give a written, itemized quote after a free inspection, and if it's a covered storm claim, your out-of-pocket may be limited to your deductible.

Minor repairs — a few missing shingles, a boot or flashing reseal — are typically a few hundred dollars. Larger repairs involving decking, multiple leaks, or matching older shingles cost more. We'll tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or whether you're better off putting that money toward a replacement.

Because they're often not for the same roof. A lowball quote may skip a full tear-off, reuse old flashing, use thinner materials, or leave off proper ventilation — corners that cost you when the roof fails early. Compare written, itemized scopes line by line, not just the bottom number.

If the damage is isolated and the roof has years of life left, repair is the smart spend. If the roof is aging, losing granules across multiple slopes, or leaking in several spots, repeated repairs add up fast and replacement is usually more cost-effective. We give you the honest math either way.

Yes. A new roof is one of the highest-return exterior improvements, boosts curb appeal, and removes a major objection for buyers — many buyers and their inspectors flag an old roof immediately. It also transfers a fresh manufacturer warranty to the next owner.

Yes — a free, no-pressure inspection with photo documentation you keep, whether or not you decide to do anything. You get an honest read on your roof's condition and remaining life, not a hard sell.

Usually yes when the damage is from a covered peril — hail, wind, or a fallen tree — and it's documented. Roofs that simply wore out from age or lack of maintenance are generally not covered. A professional inspection tells you which situation you're in.

Georgia generally allows up to two years from the date of the storm. But the longer you wait, the harder it is to prove the damage came from that specific event — so it's smart to have it inspected and documented promptly, even if you don't file right away.

A single weather-related (non-fault) claim typically affects your premium less than at-fault claims, but it varies by carrier. Getting an inspection first tells you whether you even have a claimable loss worth filing.

Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays what it costs to replace the roof today, minus your deductible — the better coverage. Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays the depreciated value of your old roof, which can leave a large gap you cover yourself. Check your policy's declarations page.

Yes, and we recommend it. When our roofer walks the roof with your adjuster, damage is far less likely to be missed or under-scoped. Most underpaid claims trace back to an adjuster inspecting alone.

On RCV policies, the insurer initially holds back depreciation and pays it after the work is completed and invoiced. Once the job is done, you submit for that remaining amount — so your final out-of-pocket is typically just your deductible.

A denial isn't always the end. We review the adjuster's scope for missed items, provide additional documentation, and can submit a supplement or request a re-inspection. Thorough photo evidence is what turns many denials around.

Yes — your deductible is your responsibility on any insurance claim, and it's illegal in Georgia for a contractor to promise to waive or absorb it. Be wary of any roofer who offers a "free roof" with no deductible.

Look for dark bruises where granules are knocked off, random impact marks (not in a pattern), cracked shingles, and dented gutters, vents, or AC fins. Much of it is subtle and easy to miss from the ground, so a professional close-up inspection is the reliable way to confirm.

Usually not reliably. Dented gutters, downspouts, and soft metals like vents or your mailbox are visible clues, but the shingle bruising that actually matters for a claim needs a close-up look on the roof.

Lifted, creased, or missing shingles, exposed underlayment or nail heads, and debris or granule loss in the gutters. Wind often loosens the seal on shingles even when they don't blow off, which leads to leaks later.

Within a week or two is ideal. Ground-level clues fade, later storms muddy the picture, and prompt documentation makes any insurance claim stronger. If there's an active leak, get it tarped immediately.

Be cautious. Reputable local companies don't pressure you to sign on the spot. Get an independent inspection and a written scope before committing to anyone, and never sign an open-ended contract with a storm-chaser passing through town.

It varies with wind speed and roof age, but hail around one inch (about a quarter) and up can start damaging asphalt shingles, and older or brittle roofs are affected by smaller stones. The only way to know is an inspection after the storm.

Most residential roofs in North Georgia are completed in a single day, including cleanup. Larger, steeper, or more complex roofs may take two. You'll have a clear timeline before we start.

No, you don't have to be home, though many homeowners like to be there at the start and for the final walkthrough. We'll keep you updated and photograph the finished job either way.

We don't recommend it. Georgia allows up to two layers, but a full tear-off lets us inspect the decking, replace any rotten wood, install fresh underlayment, and give you the best warranty. Roofing over old shingles hides problems and shortens the new roof's life.

It's a noisy day — there's hammering and tear-off — but it's usually just one day. We protect your landscaping and siding, and finish with a full cleanup and a magnetic sweep for nails so your yard is left clean.

We haul it all away as part of the job. Materials are staged to protect your property during the work, and everything is cleaned up and removed when we're done — you shouldn't be left with a pile in the driveway.

Roofs can be installed year-round in North Georgia. Fall and spring are popular for mild weather, but we install in summer and winter too — we simply schedule around rain and extreme cold to protect the installation.

Yes. We tarp and cover plants, shrubs, and siding, stage materials carefully, and run a magnetic nail sweep of the yard and driveway at the end. Protecting your property is part of doing the job right.

Yes — isolated damage, a handful of missing shingles, flashing issues, and leaks around penetrations are all repairs, not replacements. We'll always tell you honestly when a targeted repair is the right call.

Common culprits are failed flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents; cracked or missing shingles; worn pipe boots; ice-dam or storm damage; and clogged gutters backing water up under the edge. We trace the leak to its true source rather than just patching the stain.

Contain the water inside with a bucket and move valuables, and if it's safe, place a bucket or towels under the drip. Don't climb on a wet roof yourself. Call us — emergency tarping is available same-day when a roof is actively leaking.

A properly done repair with quality materials can last for years. The exception is an old, failing roof — patching one spot on a worn roof often just moves the next leak down the line, which is why we give you an honest repair-vs-replace recommendation.

Yes — flashing failures around chimneys, skylights, and walls are one of the most common leak sources, and we re-flash and reseal them correctly so they stop leaking for good.

Architectural (or "dimensional") shingles are thicker, multi-layer asphalt shingles that look richer, last longer, and resist wind better than old 3-tab shingles. They're the standard choice on most North Georgia homes today.

Both are excellent when installed correctly. Architectural asphalt offers strong value, quick installation, and easy repairs (18–25 years). Metal lasts far longer (40–70 years) and reflects summer heat, but costs more upfront. If you're staying long-term, metal can pay off; for most homeowners, quality asphalt is the better value.

We're a CertainTeed-certified team and install their full architectural shingle lineup, so you get manufacturer-backed warranties on top of our workmanship warranty. We'll help you pick the right system for your home and budget.

Impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles are built to withstand hail better, and in hail-prone North Georgia many insurers offer a premium discount for them. If you've had hail damage before, they're often worth the upgrade.

In the Georgia climate, architectural asphalt typically lasts 18–25 years, 3-tab shingles less, and metal roofs 40–70 years. Ventilation, sun exposure, and installation quality all move that number.

Underlayment is the water-resistant layer between your decking and shingles — your roof's backup barrier. Quality synthetic underlayment (and ice-and-water shield in vulnerable areas) is a big part of why a properly installed roof lasts, and it's something cheap bids often skimp on.

Proper intake-and-exhaust ventilation keeps your attic cooler and drier, which extends shingle life, lowers cooling bills, and helps prevent moisture problems. We assess and correct ventilation as part of a replacement — it's not an afterthought.

Plenty — from weathered wood and charcoal to slate grays, browns, and more, in a range of blends. We'll show you options that complement your home's brick, siding, and trim.

We photograph and document every slope, check flashing, penetrations, ventilation, and the decking where visible, and look for storm or age-related damage. Then we explain what we found in plain English and give you an honest recommendation — no pressure.

Free inspection with photos → a clear written plan and price → we schedule the install (and meet your adjuster if it's a claim) → a certified crew installs it, usually in a day → we clean up, do a final walkthrough with you, and hand over photos and your warranty.

Inspections are usually scheduled within a day or two, and same-day for active leaks. Install timing depends on materials and the schedule, but because we're local to Buford we move quickly — you'll get a firm date, not a vague window.

Yes — where a permit is required, we handle it. Proper permitting and code-compliant installation protect you and keep your warranty and any future home sale clean.

Always. We run a magnetic sweep across the yard, driveway, and flower beds to collect stray nails, and haul off all old materials, so your property is left clean and safe for kids and pets.

Twice a year for most North Georgia homes — spring and fall — and more often under heavy tree cover. Clogged gutters are a leading cause of fascia rot, foundation water, and edge leaks.

If you have a lot of trees, guards can dramatically cut how often gutters clog and reduce overflow damage. They're not fully maintenance-free, but for the right home they pay for themselves in avoided cleanings and repairs.

Once a year, plus after any major storm, is a good rule. Catching a lifted shingle or failing boot early turns a small fix into pennies compared to a water-damaged ceiling later.

Keep gutters clear, trim overhanging branches, ensure good attic ventilation, address small issues promptly, and get periodic inspections. Most roofs that fail early do so from neglect and poor ventilation, not just age.

A tune-up reseals exposed nails and boots, checks and repairs flashing, replaces loose or missing shingles, and flags anything developing — with a photo report. It's the cheapest roofing you'll ever buy and it heads off expensive claims.

You get two layers of protection: the manufacturer's warranty on the shingle system (from our CertainTeed certification) plus our own workmanship warranty on the installation. We hand over the paperwork at your final walkthrough.

The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves; the workmanship warranty covers how they were installed. You want both — a great shingle installed poorly still leaks, and both are only as good as the company standing behind them.

It's a top-tier CertainTeed installation credential. Every Bailey rep is CertainTeed certified and our senior managers hold ShingleMaster™ credentials — which lets us offer stronger manufacturer warranties and proves the installation meets their standards.

Yes — Bailey Roofing & Restoration is fully licensed and insured, and we're a BBB-accredited, family-owned company based in Buford. Always confirm a roofer's license and insurance before work begins.

Manufacturer warranties are typically transferable to the next owner (often within a set window), which is a real selling point. We'll walk you through the specifics of your system's coverage.

Yes — flexible monthly payment options for roof replacements, so a necessary roof doesn't have to be a lump-sum shock. Many homeowners use insurance for storm damage and financing for upgrades they choose to add. Ask during your free inspection.

Yes — our office is at 218 S Hill St in downtown Buford. We're a family-owned local company, not a national franchise routing your call to a call center, and your neighbors are our references.

Buford and 16 more North Georgia cities — including Alpharetta, Auburn, Braselton, Cumming, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Hoschton, Jefferson, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee — across Gwinnett, Hall, Forsyth, Fulton, Jackson, and Barrow counties.

Look for a licensed, insured, local company with real reviews, manufacturer certification, a written itemized scope, and a workmanship warranty. Be wary of storm-chasers, high-pressure sales, and deals that sound too good — like a "free roof" with your deductible waived.

Yes — flat and low-slope commercial systems, re-roofs, repairs, and storm restoration on churches, retail, offices, and larger buildings, with the same documentation and finish quality we bring to homes.

Yes — that's the Bailey difference. We handle water and fire restoration, remodeling, and full interior reconstruction, so if a storm damages your roof and the rooms below it, one team handles all of it and manages the insurance claim.

We typically inspect within 24–48 hours, with emergency tarping available same-day when a roof is actively leaking. Being based in Buford is the whole advantage — our response time is measured in hours, not days.