North Georgia is no stranger to severe weather. If you look back at Atlanta-area weather events over the last several years, you’ll find ice storms, heavy rains, hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds, and other acts of nature with the potential to damage roofs. Georgia’s heat, humidity, and precipitation can also put a lot of wear–and tear on your roof over time.
This can be bad news if you are trying to sell a house in the Atlanta real estate market. Here is some information about different types of Georgia roofs, what it can cost to make repairs, how insurance typically covers roof repair and replacement, and options if insurance won’t cover the house you’re trying to sell.
Types of roofs you’ll find in Atlanta
Here are some common types of roofing material you’ll find in the Atlanta metro area, with cost and lifespan estimates from Angi.com as of October 2024.
- Asphalt: Asphalt is probably the most common kind of roofing material used in the United States. It is sturdy, affordable, and suitable for virtually any climate. Damaged shingles are easy and inexpensive to replace. The average cost of asphalt roofing is $1–$1.20 per square foot, and the lifespan is 10–20 years.
- Metal: Metal shingles and shakes are popular because they mimic the look of more expensive natural materials like slate. Metal roofing is very durable and requires less maintenance than other types of roofing. The average cost of metal roofing is $6–$16 per square foot, and the lifespan is 50–75 years.
- Wood: Wood shingles and shakes give houses a charming, rustic look. Wood roofs are more costly to maintain than other types, and the heat and humidity in the Southeast can attract algae and moss. Wood roofing averages $6–$15 per square foot and lasts an average of 30–50 years.
- Slate: Many homeowners find slate roofs very attractive, and they are sturdy and well suited for hot Southern climates. The downside is that slate is expensive and too heavy to install on a roof that wasn’t built to support the weight. Slate roofing will run you $10–$30 per square foot and has a lifespan of 125–200 years.
- Clay: Clay tiles, also known as barrel tiles, are popular in Mediterranean and Spanish-style houses. Like slate, clay is a very heavy roofing material that might not be right for every house. Maintenance on a clay roof can be pricey and usually requires a clay roofing specialist. On average, clay costs between $10–$20 per square foot and lasts 50–100 years.
- Synthetic: Synthetic roofs are made from lightweight materials like plastic, rubber, and polymers, and are designed to resemble traditional roofing materials. Synthetic roofs are very durable and are great for humid regions like Atlanta. These roofs usually require a trained contractor to install. Synthetic roofing averages between $5–$12 per square foot and lasts 25–50 years.
Roof damage that is easy to repair
Regardless of what type of roof you have, chances are you’ll need to repair it at some point—especially if you’re selling your house. Here are some common roof repairs that are relatively minor and often cost under $1,000 to fix. These cost estimates from Angi.com are up to date as of October 2024.
- Shingle leak: $350
- Skylight leak: $300–$800
- Roof flashing repair: $200–$500
- Patching a hole: $100–$1,000
- Roof vent repair: $75–$250
- Roof ridge cap repair: $200–$750
As you can see, a lot of roof leak repairs and minor roof damage from storms can be affordable, depending on your budget.
Roof damage that is hard to repair
Other types of roof damage require major repairs and are often expensive to fix. This kind of damage can be caused by severe weather, insects, and deterioration over time.
- Major leak: $360–$1,550
- Sagging roof: $1,500–$1,700
- Hail damage: $700–$4,000
- Soffit and fascia repair: $600–$6,000
- Roof truss repair: $500–$5,000
- Eave repair: $1,500–$1,700
Major repairs to a roof can be both costly and urgent because a damaged roof can cause serious problems elsewhere in the house you’re trying to sell.
Insurance claims and coverage for roofs
Many Georgia homeowners have “all-perils” insurance coverage, which means that roof damage caused by a sudden, accidental event like a fire, a tornado, or a hailstorm will be covered. All the homeowner has to do is pay the policy deductible, choose a contractor, and get their roof fixed. All-perils coverage comes in especially handy for hail-damaged roofs, which is one of the most expensive kinds of damage to repair.
Some policies may cover replacement of old roofs. For example, if your roof is 20 years old, you might want to check with your insurer to see if you have any options.
Homeowners insurance is less likely to cover roof damage caused by wear and tear, even when it can be traced to climate factors like heat and moisture.
What to do if insurance won’t cover your roof
If you need to get your roof repaired or replaced before putting your house on the market, and insurance won’t cover costs, you have a few options.
- Appeal the claim: The insurance company will send a new adjuster and might come back with a different decision.
- File a lawsuit against the insurance company: If you believe that the insurer should cover your claim, but it won’t, you can file a lawsuit against the insurance company. Look for an attorney who specializes in homeowner claims. This approach can be time-consuming and expensive, and it might not be right for you if you’re trying to sell your house fast.
- File a complaint with the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: The Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, OCI for short, investigates disputes between Georgia homeowners and insurance companies. You can always file a complaint with the OCI if you feel that your roof claim is being denied unfairly, but getting the issue resolved through the state will likely take time.
- Look for financing: You can use a bank loan, a home-equity loan, or another form of financing to get your roof fixed. Some roofing companies offer customer financing as well.
- Sell your house “as is” to an off-market buyer like We Buy Ugly Houses®: Off-market buyers like We Buy Ugly Houses® buy houses that need new roofs and other major repairs. Selling your house “as is” can make a lot of sense for sellers who just got saddled with the cost of a new roof.
Why you should consider selling with us
When you sell your house off-market with We Buy Ugly Houses, we won’t ask you to fix your roof. We also won’t ask you to clean or make other repairs. All you need to do to get started is reach out to our Atlanta team and we’ll send a property buyer to your address. We’ll do a quick, no-obligation walkthrough, answer your questions, and can come back with an offer—sometimes on the same day. We do our best to ensure a fast, hassle-free closing and make things easy for you every step of the way.
We Buy Ugly Houses has purchased over 150,000 houses across the country over the last 25, and we have a 95%* national customer satisfaction rating. Rest assured, damaged roofs don’t scare us.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
