Before you hire anyone to build a garage in Georgia, check the state license, ask for proof of insurance and get a written contract. The checks below apply to every builder you talk to, including us.
Does a garage builder need a license in Georgia?
Yes, for most garage jobs. Georgia requires a residential or general contractor license for residential contracting work where the value or the contractor's pay is more than $2,500. Licenses are issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, part of the Georgia Secretary of State. The Residential-Basic class covers one- and two-family homes and townhouses up to three stories, along with their accessory buildings, such as a garage. Electrical and plumbing work have their own licensed trades.
How do I check a contractor's license in Georgia?
Look the license up on the Georgia Secretary of State website, sos.ga.gov, using the license search. Check that the name and license number match the company on your contract and that the license is active. You can report an unlicensed contractor to the licensing board through the Secretary of State's complaint process.
What insurance should a garage builder carry?
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation coverage, sent to you by the insurance company, not just a copy from the builder. Liability insurance covers damage to your house or a neighbor's property; workers' compensation covers a worker hurt on your lot. Call the insurer to confirm the policy is current.
How much deposit should a garage builder ask for?
The Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division advises never paying for an entire project before work begins, and keeping the down payment to no more than 25%, or at most one-third, of the total. That is consumer advice, not a state cap. Tie later payments to finished stages, such as slab poured, framing passed and final inspection.
What should a garage contract include?
A garage contract should spell out the full job, so nothing is left to a handshake. The Consumer Protection Division says to put all guarantees, warranties and promises in writing and to write start and completion dates into the contract. Make sure it covers:
- Size, layout, wall height and roof pitch.
- Foundation type and slab thickness.
- Siding, roofing, doors, windows and trim, by material.
- Electrical, plumbing and any heating or cooling.
- Who gets the permits and the HOA approval.
- Driveway work, grading, gutters and cleanup.
- Price, payment schedule and how changes are priced.
- Start date, completion date and any warranty terms in writing.
Should I hire a garage specialist or a general contractor?
Either can build a good garage; what matters is the license, the plan and the track record. A general contractor may handle an attached garage tied into a remodel, while a garage specialist knows slabs, doors and detached buildings well. In Georgia, whoever signs the contract for work over $2,500 needs the right state license, and the electrician and plumber need their own.
How many quotes should I get for a garage?
Get written bids from several builders; the Consumer Protection Division recommends written bids, and three is a common number. Be wary of a bid far below the rest. Compare quotes line by line on the same size and scope, not just the bottom line.
What are the red flags when hiring a garage builder?
The red flags that should stop you:
- No Georgia license for a job over $2,500.
- Asking you to pull the permit in your name.
- A price given over the phone without seeing the lot.
- Pressure to sign today or pay most of the price up front.
- Cash only, or no written contract.
- No proof of insurance from the insurer.
- Saying the HOA or a permit is not needed without checking.
How do I find a good garage builder near Griffin?
To find a good builder, ask neighbors who added a garage recently, read recent reviews, and check the license on the Secretary of State site. A builder worth hiring comes out to see the lot, asks about the drive, slope and HOA, and puts the scope in writing. If answers are vague, keep looking.
What questions should I ask a garage builder?
- Who prepares the plans and pulls the permits?
- What goes under the slab, and how thick is it?
- How will water be kept away from the garage?
- Who are the electrician and plumber, and are they licensed?
- What is the payment schedule?
- What warranty do you put in writing, and what do the door, roof and opener makers cover?
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Call or text (678) 661-6646 to set up a free on-site estimate. We look at the lot, the drive and where the garage can go, then give you a written quote. We work in Griffin, McDonough, Peachtree City, Newnan, Fayetteville, Stockbridge, Locust Grove, Hampton, Jonesboro, Barnesville, Senoia and Thomaston.