Hiring the right Atlanta drywall contractor requires an understanding of both how to choose the best drywall company for a particular job and the state laws regarding contractors.

The first criteria for choosing a contractor is determining whether the company has met state licensing requirements. Since July 1, 2008, all Georgia general contractors have been required to be licensed by the state, but specialty contractors who perform only one type of work do not have to meet the requirement. If the job is less than $2,500 total, a company does not have to be licensed, regardless of what tasks it performs.

The distinction between a general contractor and a specialty contractor leaves a bit of a gray area, but if a contractor performs more than one kind of construction work, the company must be licensed. That means if a drywall installer also paints or does carpentry work, a license is required.

Reputable contractor gladly provide their license numbers, but smart homeowners verify that a license is valid and renewed. The Georgia Secretary of State's website makes checking a contractor's license easy.

Homeowners who work with unlicensed contractors risk having their projects stopped by Atlanta's building code enforcement officials. The contractor could be fined or jailed, and any contract with an unlicensed builder can be ruled unenforceable.

Choosing the right company for the job
Installing drywall is really two jobs. First, the sheetrock must be cut and hung. Then, the seams and screw heads must be taped and bedded to perfectly conceal them. While the wallboard must be hung securely and correctly, the job must be properly finished so that the individual pieces look like one smooth, beautiful wall.

Because a bad drywall job can ruin the look of a room, it is important to choose a drywall contractor with references from previous clients, a strong reputation in the industry and fair, upfront pricing. Check contractor ratings and read member reviews of recent services by signing-in to Angie’s List.

Not every licensed company performs drywall installation to meet the scrutiny of every client, so it is important to choose a company that is a good match for the job. While a utility room may not require perfection in the eyes of some homeowners, a living room almost always does.

To verify that a contractor is right for the job at hand, ask how long the company has been in business and whether they have their own experienced and trusted crew. Do not be afraid to ask for proof of insurance, tentative start and finish dates and information on when payments are expected.

As with any construction job, a written contract is essential to protecting both the client and the contractor.