Like the Falcon's Super Bowl run in 1999, in which they lost the final contest to John Elway and the Denver Broncos, it's a fact of life that all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, your roofing is no different. There's a time in every homeowner's tenure when they have to accept that fact and shell out for a new Atlanta roof installation. While it is a costly home improvement (we'll get to what to expect cost-wise here in a moment), it's probably the single most important form of home maintenance you're going to face as a homeowner. Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the weather. Ignore any crack in the armor, so to speak, and you can be faced with some much larger, and more expensive, problems down the road.
Causes of Roofing Failures that Require an Atlanta Roof Installation
By far the most common reason behind needing a new roof in Atlanta is age and regular wear and tear. The roofs covering Atlanta homes are bombarded by thunderstorms, freezing rain, tropical depressions, and even occasional snowfalls, year in and year out. When you take into account the fact that Atlanta actually gets more rain annually than Seattle does (over 50 inches a year!), it's easy to see how that amount of precipitation is eventually going to take its toll on even the best roofs across the metro area. Of course, you may also find yourself the victim of extreme weather events. While Atlanta is pretty sheltered as far as weather goes, those tropical depressions and thunderstorms can bring high winds and hailstorms under the right conditions, either of which can do in a roof in a matter of minutes or hours. Finally, sometimes you've got your own house to blame. Poor attic ventilation, especially in an area as humid and wet as Atlanta (which is technically classified as a subtropical climate), can lead to moisture buildup under the roof decking and the roofing materials itself, causing a host of problems that lead to the need for a roof installation in Atlanta.
Atlanta Roof Installation Costs and Timelines
Whatever the cause, once you've realized it's time and that there's a need to replace your roof, your first few thoughts are likely to center around how much it's going to cost and how long it's going to take. Fortunately for you, ServiceMagic refers contractors to thousands of Atlantans every year and tracks the costs, durations, and quality of each job that originated in our system. Based on that data, we can report with confidence that a roof installation in Atlanta averages $6,500, with a low of $2,500 and a high of $11,000. Keep in mind that our data tends to focus on asphalt shingle roofing, so if you're purchasing another material, you should expect to spend quite a bit more. As for how long a roof installation takes, our data shows that one to two days is pretty standard, though larger projects did take as long as two work weeks to complete.
Homeowner Advice on Atlanta Roof Installation
Besides gathering information on final costs, project durations, and customer satisfaction, we also ask whether homeowners would like to leave any words of wisdom to aid their fellow Atlantans who might be facing a roof installation project in the future. Residents of Hotlanta prove to be practical folks in this regard. As a whole, they focused their comments on the importance of finding good contractors if you hope to be a satisfied customer. "Get references from the contractor first," suggested one homeowner, while another wrote that you ought to "Use a certified roofer, even if it costs a little more, and go with your first impression during the interview." Add to that bringing in multiple contractors at the beginning to put in bids, and you've got a formula for success. There are fraudulent contractors out there, and the roofing industry, for whatever reason, seems to draw more than most. By following the advice of your fellow Atlantans, and taking advantage of ServiceMagic's pre-screened referral service, you'll be a step ahead of anyone trying to take you to the cleaners. It's probably also worth mentioning that Georgia doesn't require contractors to obtain licenses to operate, making it all the more important that you cover your bases before you sign any contracts and any money changes hands.
Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. When it comes time to replace it, don't put off bringing in a qualified contractor to bring your roof back up to specs. Always remember, if you do your homework and purchase quality materials, this is a job you shouldn't have to pay out for more than once every twenty years or more. That being the case, a roof installation in Atlanta is one home improvement that is worth every penny for what you get in return.

Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.