Roofing Inspection Checklist in Georgia

Georgia's Two-Phase Roofing Inspection Process

Georgia building departments inspect roofing projects in two phases. The pre-cover inspection happens after the contractor installs the deck repair, underlayment, flashing, and drip edge but before the shingles go on. The final inspection happens after the project is complete. Both inspections must pass before the building department closes the permit.

Not every jurisdiction requires both phases. Some smaller municipalities combine the inspections into a single final inspection. The major metro Atlanta counties, including Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb, require both phases on full roof replacement projects. Repair permits may require only a final inspection depending on the scope of work.

The contractor calls in each inspection after completing the relevant phase of work. The building department schedules the inspection within 24 to 48 hours under normal conditions. During peak storm season (May through September), when permit volume surges across metro Atlanta, scheduling can extend to 3 to 5 business days. The contractor cannot proceed to shingle installation until the pre-cover inspection passes. Covering the underlayment and flashing before the inspector arrives results in an automatic fail and a re-inspection requirement.

Our team at 1 Source Roofing coordinates both inspection phases on every permitted project. We build the inspection timing into our project schedule so the homeowner knows when each phase will occur. We do not proceed past the pre-cover phase until the inspector approves the underlayment and flashing work. For the broader code framework, see our Georgia residential roofing code guide.

Pre-Cover Inspection: What the Inspector Checks Before Shingles

The pre-cover inspection is the most critical phase because it verifies the components that will be hidden once the shingles go on. After this point, the inspector cannot see the underlayment, flashing details, or deck condition without removing the finished roof. Every item on this checklist must be visible and accessible when the inspector arrives.

Item	Code Reference	What the Inspector Checks	Common Fail Reason
Roof deck condition	R803.2	Plywood/OSB integrity, no rot, proper thickness (min 7/16" OSB or 15/32" plywood)	Rotted deck sections not replaced
Deck fastening	R803.2.1	8d ring-shank nails at 6" OC edges, 12" OC field	Staples used instead of nails
Underlayment	R905.1.1	ASTM-rated felt or synthetic, full coverage, proper overlap (4" horizontal, 6" end laps)	Gaps in coverage, insufficient overlap
Drip edge at eave	R905.2.8.5	Metal drip edge under underlayment at eave, extending past deck edge	Drip edge over underlayment (reversed)
Drip edge at rake	R905.2.8.5	Metal drip edge over underlayment at rake	Missing at rake entirely
Valley flashing	R905.2.8.2	Metal or ice-and-water shield in all valleys, 24" wide minimum	Woven valley without underlying protection
Wall flashing	R903.2.1	Step flashing at roof-to-wall, 4" onto wall and roof surfaces	Flashing too short, gaps between pieces
Chimney cricket	R903.2.2	Cricket behind chimneys wider than 30 inches	Missing on qualifying chimneys
Pipe/vent flashing	R903.2	Flashing boots around all pipe penetrations	Old boots reused instead of replaced
Ice barrier (where required)	R905.1.2	Self-adhering membrane at eaves in ice-prone areas	Not extending 24" past interior wall line

The pre-cover inspection takes 15 to 30 minutes. The inspector walks the roof surface, checks each item against the code, photographs the installation, and records the result. A passing inspection clears the contractor to install shingles. A failing inspection generates a correction notice with specific items to address before re-inspection.

For detailed requirements on individual checklist items, see our guides on drip edge code, flashing code, cricket requirements, and underlayment standards.

Final Inspection: What the Inspector Checks After Completion

The final inspection verifies the finished roof. The inspector evaluates the visible components: shingle installation, ridge treatment, ventilation, kickout flashing, and site cleanup. This inspection confirms that the contractor completed the work to code and that the roof is ready for service.

Item	Code Reference	What the Inspector Checks	Common Fail Reason
Shingle installation	R905.2	Proper offset pattern (min 4" stagger), correct exposure	Insufficient stagger, visible nail heads
Nail pattern	R905.2.6	4 nails per shingle (6 in high-wind zones), placed per manufacturer specs	High nailing, insufficient nails in wind zone
Ridge cap	R905.2	Ridge cap shingles installed with proper overlap and fastening	Field shingles used as ridge cap
Ventilation	R806	1:150 or 1:300 NFA ratio met, balanced intake and exhaust	Insufficient NFA, blocked soffit vents
Kickout flashing	R903.2.1	Diverter at every roof-to-wall termination above gutter	Missing at one or more locations
Pipe boot sealing	R903.2	Rubber boots seated and sealed around all pipe penetrations	Boot not sealed to pipe, shingles not dressed around boot
Gutter integration	Local codes	Drip edge extends into gutter, downspouts connected	Gap between drip edge and gutter
Site cleanup	Permit condition	Debris removed, nails swept, landscaping protected	Nails in driveway, debris in yard

The final inspection takes 15 to 20 minutes. The inspector walks the property perimeter, views the roof from the ground and ladder, and checks each visible component. On steep roofs where walking is unsafe, the inspector uses binoculars or a drone to verify shingle installation and ridge details.

For ventilation requirements that inspectors check during the final phase, see our ventilation code guide. For kickout flashing details, see our kickout flashing code page.

The Five Most Common Roofing Inspection Failures in Metro Atlanta

Building inspectors across Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb counties see the same failures on a regular basis. These are the items that cause the most correction notices and re-inspections across metro Atlanta.

1. Missing Drip Edge at the Rake

The number one fail point. Contractors install drip edge at the eave where it feeds into the gutter but skip the rake (side edge). The code requires drip edge at both eaves and rakes. The fix requires lifting shingles along the rake, installing drip edge over the underlayment, and re-sealing the shingle edge. Time to correct: 2 to 4 hours. Cost to the contractor: $300 to $600 in labor.

2. Reversed Drip Edge Sequence at Eave

Drip edge installed over the underlayment at the eave instead of under it. The correct sequence places drip edge on the deck first, with the underlayment overlapping over the drip edge. The reversed sequence allows water to run behind the drip edge and onto the fascia. Inspectors check this by lifting the underlayment edge at the eave.

3. Missing Kickout Flashing

Every roof-to-wall transition that terminates at a gutter or open eave needs a kickout diverter. Contractors skip this piece because it requires an extra step at each location. The inspector walks the eave line and checks every roof-to-wall termination. One missing kickout fails the entire inspection.

4. Insufficient Ventilation

The ventilation code requires a specific ratio of net free ventilation area to attic floor area (1:150 without a vapor retarder, 1:300 with one). Inspectors calculate the required NFA and compare it to the installed vent area. Common problems: blocked soffit vents (insulation pushed against the vent opening), insufficient ridge vent length, or mixing exhaust vent types (ridge vent plus powered attic vent creates short-circuiting).

5. Missing Chimney Cricket

Chimneys wider than 30 inches require a cricket on the uphill side. Inspectors measure the chimney during the pre-cover inspection and verify that a cricket exists if the chimney triggers the 30-inch threshold. Missing crickets are common on reroofing projects where the original roof never had one and the contractor did not add it.

"Five items cause 80% of roofing inspection failures in metro Atlanta. Every one of them is preventable with correct installation the first time."

How to Prepare for a Roofing Inspection in Georgia

The homeowner's role during the inspection process is limited but important. The contractor handles the technical work and the inspection scheduling. The homeowner needs to ensure access, verify the permit, and understand the timeline.

Before the Pre-Cover Inspection

1. Verify the permit is posted: Georgia requires the building permit to be posted and visible from the street. The inspector looks for the permit placard before starting the inspection. If the permit is not posted, the inspector may leave without inspecting.
2. Ensure site access: The inspector needs access to the roof (ladder), the attic (for ventilation verification), and the property perimeter (for ground-level flashing and drip edge checks). Gate codes, locked attic hatches, and aggressive dogs all delay inspections.
3. Confirm the contractor called it in: Ask your contractor to confirm the inspection request with the building department and provide you the confirmation number and scheduled window.

Before the Final Inspection

1. Walk the property perimeter: Before the inspector arrives, walk around the house and look for debris, exposed nails in the driveway, and any visible installation issues. Alert your contractor to anything you notice so they can address it before the inspector arrives.
2. Check gutter function: Run water from a hose into the gutter to verify that downspouts drain and the gutter system functions. A non-functional gutter can trigger a drainage concern during final inspection in some jurisdictions.
3. Attic access: Open the attic hatch so the inspector can check ventilation without delay. Some inspectors skip the attic if access is difficult, which can result in a conditional pass that requires a follow-up visit.

For homeowners working with 1 Source Roofing, we handle the preparation checklist and coordinate all inspection logistics. We notify the homeowner when each inspection is scheduled and when it passes. The homeowner's project file includes copies of the inspection results and the closed permit documentation.

Re-Inspection Process, Fees, and Timeline

When a roof fails inspection, the inspector issues a correction notice that lists every item that does not meet code. The contractor must correct all items and request a re-inspection. The re-inspection verifies that the corrections address the specific items on the notice. The inspector may also check items that were borderline on the original inspection.

Re-Inspection Fees by Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction	First Re-Inspection Fee	Second Re-Inspection Fee	Scheduling Window
Gwinnett County	$50	$75	24-48 hours
Fulton County	$75	$100	24-48 hours
Cobb County	$50	$75	24-48 hours
DeKalb County	$50	$75	24-72 hours
City of Atlanta	$75	$100	48-72 hours

Re-inspection fees are the contractor's responsibility, not the homeowner's. A reputable contractor absorbs the cost of re-inspections because the failure resulted from their installation work. If a contractor asks the homeowner to pay re-inspection fees, that contractor did not install the roof to code and is now passing the cost of their error to the customer.

Open Permit Consequences

An open permit remains on record with the building department until the inspection passes and the permit is closed. Open permits create problems during home sales. Title companies in Georgia run permit searches as part of the closing process. An open roofing permit shows up on the title search and can delay or block the sale until the homeowner resolves it. Resolving an open permit years after the fact costs more than passing the inspection during the original project.

Our team closes every permit on every project. We do not consider a job complete until the final inspection passes and the building department closes the permit. The homeowner receives documentation confirming the closed permit status.

How 1 Source Passes Inspections on Every Project

We pass inspections because we install every component to code before the inspector arrives. This is not a claim. It is a process. Our project managers carry the same checklist the building inspector uses and verify every item before calling in the inspection.

Our internal pre-inspection checklist mirrors the items above, plus additional manufacturer-specific requirements from GAF and CertainTeed that exceed the code minimum. The manufacturer's installation specifications address items the building code does not cover in detail, such as specific nail placement zones, sealant strip positioning, and starter strip overhang measurements.

Our Quality Sequence

1. Crew chief self-inspection: The crew chief walks the roof after each phase and checks every item against the internal checklist before calling the office.
2. Project manager verification: The project manager visits the site, photographs each checklist item, and confirms compliance before calling the building department for inspection.
3. Building department inspection: The inspector arrives and evaluates the same items our team already verified. The inspection becomes a confirmation, not a discovery.

This three-step sequence eliminates surprises. The homeowner does not receive a call about a failed inspection because the items were caught and corrected during steps one and two. We invest the time in self-inspection so the building department inspection is a formality.

"We check every item before the building inspector arrives. The inspection confirms what we already verified."

For homeowners comparing contractors, ask a simple question: "Do you pull a permit and schedule inspections for every roofing project?" If the answer is no, or if the contractor suggests skipping the permit to save money, that contractor plans to install your roof without third-party verification. Our team pulls permits on every project, schedules both inspection phases, and closes the permit when the job passes. This protects your investment, your warranty, and your ability to sell the home in the future.

Explore More Georgia Roofing Code Guides

• Georgia Residential Roofing Code Guide
• Drip Edge Code Requirements
• Kickout Flashing Code
• Roof Cricket and Saddle Code
• Roof Ventilation Code Requirements
• Roof Flashing Code in Georgia
• Underlayment Requirements
• Permit Requirements for Roof Replacement
• Roof Access and Fall Protection Code
• Roof Replacement Services