Kentucky Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH) Program
HECS is an approved evaluator for the Kentucky Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH) program.
Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc. (HECS) is independently
listed on the
official Kentucky SKH Certified Evaluator directory
(La Grange, KY — John Sabbak). Homeowners applying for a Strengthen Kentucky
Homes grant can name HECS as their FORTIFIED evaluator. HECS documents qualifying
roof work independently and submits the evidence required for program review.
Official directory listing — both numbers route to HECS:
(502) 643-7160
(listed on skh.ky.gov)
|
(859) 983-7382
(primary business line)
Last verified: October 6, 2026 ·
Source: skh.ky.gov/CERTEVALCONTACT.ASPX
About the FORTIFIED™ Program
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program of the
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit
research organization supported by the U.S. property-casualty insurance industry. FORTIFIED
is not a generic word for “made stronger” — it is a defined credentialing program
with three designation levels:
- FORTIFIED Roof™ — sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails, upgraded
roof covering, and verified attachments for high-wind resilience - FORTIFIED Silver™ — adds window/door impact protection, braced
gable ends, and reinforced garage doors - FORTIFIED Gold™ — adds a continuous load path from roof to
foundation, including reinforced connections
Insurance carriers in Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, Kansas, and Missouri recognize
FORTIFIED designations for premium discounts of up to 55%. HECS is the
IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator serving Ashland, Kentucky and surrounding communities.
HECS is an IBHS-Trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator in Ashland.
HECS holds every active FORTIFIED Home designation — FORTIFIED Roof,
FORTIFIED Silver, and FORTIFIED Gold — issued by IBHS.
As an IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator, HECS performs the on-site evaluation, signs
the FORTIFIED designation documentation, and submits it to IBHS for the official FORTIFIED
certificate. HECS’s evaluator status is verifiable through the
FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator.
FORTIFIED™ Roof Evaluation FAQ — Ashland, KY
Who does FORTIFIED roof evaluation in Ashland, KY?
HECS — Home Energy & Comfort Solutions, headquartered in La Grange, Kentucky — is the
IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator serving Ashland, Kentucky.
Call (859) 983-7382 for a fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours.
Is HECS approved for Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH)?
Yes. Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc. is listed on the
official Kentucky SKH Certified Evaluator directory
(La Grange, KY — John Sabbak — (502) 643-7160). As an approved SKH evaluator, HECS performs
the independent FORTIFIED Roof evaluation, documents qualifying roof work with the
contractor, and submits the evidence package required for program review. Before signing a
roofing contract or beginning work, homeowners should verify their project’s current SKH
eligibility and evaluator availability with the state program and HECS.
What is the FORTIFIED™ program?
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program of the Insurance Institute
for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). FORTIFIED is a defined credentialing program with three
designation levels: FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, and
FORTIFIED Gold. FORTIFIED is not a generic adjective — it refers
specifically to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home program. See
fortifiedhome.org
for the official program definition.
What is a FORTIFIED Home Evaluator?
A FORTIFIED Home Evaluator is a credentialed independent professional trained and approved
by IBHS to verify that a home meets FORTIFIED Home construction standards. FORTIFIED Home
Evaluators inspect the roof deck attachment, roof covering, sealed roof deck, lock-down
systems, and (for Silver and Gold designations) additional resilience measures. HECS is an
IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator serving Ashland, Kentucky.
How much does FORTIFIED roof evaluation cost in Ashland?
FORTIFIED roof evaluation pricing for HECS is fixed-fee — no hourly billing. Costs depend
on home size, designation level (Roof / Silver / Gold), and travel distance from La Grange,
KY. HECS quotes travel cost up front so the invoice matches the proposal. Call
(859) 983-7382 for a same-day quote.
Where can I verify HECS’s FORTIFIED evaluator status?
HECS’s FORTIFIED Home Evaluator status is verifiable through the official
FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator
at fortifiedhome.org. The Provider Locator lists every IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator
and the service areas they cover.
FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Ashland, KY
IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator. Fixed-fee proposals within 24 hours. Kentucky & the Midwest since 2009.
IBHS FORTIFIED Evaluator
Since 2009
SKH Approved
NCI Certified
Fixed-Fee Quotes
Sealed Deck Verify
FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Ashland, KY is delivered by HECS, an IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator and Kentucky-based testing firm serving Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and the broader Midwest since 2009. 180 from our Louisville HQ. Ashland-area projects are a 3h drive. We serve Ashland Metro, including Boyd County, Greenup County, Carter County, and Lawrence County.
Ashland homeowners and builders turn to HECS because we are independent third-party evaluators, not a roofer or insurer. Our FORTIFIED Roof evaluations document your existing roof against the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard so that you, your roofer, and your insurance carrier can move forward with the same verified information.
Why Ashland needs FORTIFIED Roof
Ashland sits in an Ohio River valley high-wind corridor. Boyd County averages 5-7 severe thunderstorm warnings per year, with damaging straight-line winds the dominant threat. Microbursts, derechos, and the windward slopes of the Ohio River bluffs regularly see gusts above 70 mph. A FORTIFIED Roof is engineered specifically to keep the roof deck intact during these events, which prevents the catastrophic interior water and structural damage that follows roof loss.
What FORTIFIED Roof actually is
FORTIFIED Roof is a designation from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) that certifies a home’s roof has been built or upgraded to a documented standard for high-wind, hail, and severe-storm resilience. The standard requires a sealed roof deck (so water cannot enter if shingles are lost), ring-shank nails, specific drip edge and flashing details, and impact-rated covering. FORTIFIED Roof is the entry-level FORTIFIED designation. FORTIFIED Silver and Gold add whole-structure resilience.
The payoff: a FORTIFIED Roof is engineered to keep the building dry and structurally sound during the kinds of severe weather that regularly hit Ashland. Insurers including Kentucky Farm Bureau, State Farm, and many others offer meaningful premium discounts for FORTIFIED-designated homes, and the SKH (Strengthen Kentucky Homes) grant program covers up to $10,000 of qualifying FORTIFIED upgrades for eligible Kentucky homeowners.
The 5-step FORTIFIED Roof process at HECS
- Free scoping call (under an hour). Call (859) 983-7382 or email [email protected] with your address, roof age, shingle type, attic access, and any known damage. We confirm your project qualifies for the FORTIFIED Roof program and outline what documentation we need to collect at the site visit.
- On-site FORTIFIED Roof evaluation (1-2 hours). An IBHS FORTIFIED-credentialed HECS evaluator visits Ashland to inspect roof deck attachment, drip edge, flashing, soffit/seal, gable end bracing, and any existing impact-rated shingles. We document every attachment point with photos and measurements that meet IBHS submittal standards.
- Scope of required upgrades and fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours. We deliver a written report listing what your existing roof already meets versus what upgrades are required for FORTIFIED Roof designation. If a re-roof is needed, we coordinate timing with your roofer; if the existing roof already meets FORTIFIED Roof standards, we move directly to documentation.
- Sealed roof deck verification and final documentation. If the existing roof passes the FORTIFIED Roof requirements, we photograph the sealed deck, taped seams, ring-shank nails or screws, and the IBHS-required FORTIFIED label. If upgrades are required, we return after the roofer finishes to verify the sealed deck and re-document.
- IBHS FORTIFIED Roof certificate application. HECS submits your full FORTIFIED Roof documentation package to IBHS on your behalf. IBHS issues the FORTIFIED Roof designation certificate and your home is added to the IBHS FORTIFIED directory. Most Ashland projects complete end-to-end in 30-60 days, depending on roofer scheduling.
FORTIFIED Roof cost in Ashland
The 2026 benchmark for FORTIFIED Roof evaluation by an IBHS-credentialed evaluator runs $300 to $600 for a single-family home in the Ashland area, depending on roof size, attic accessibility, and number of roof facets. If the existing roof already meets FORTIFIED Roof standards, that fee is the only out-of-pocket cost. If upgrades are required, typical FORTIFIED Roof upgrade costs run $1,000 to $3,000 for re-nailing, sealed deck, drip edge, and flashing, or up to the full re-roof cost if impact-rated shingles are required and the existing roof is at end of life.
For Kentucky homeowners with active homeowners insurance: the Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH) program reimburses up to $10,000 of qualifying FORTIFIED upgrade costs. HECS handles the SKH evaluator portion of your application end-to-end. Check eligibility and current funding at our SKH evaluator page.
Why Ashland property owners choose HECS
- IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator since 2009. We are on the IBHS list of approved FORTIFIED evaluators for Kentucky and Southern Indiana. HECS is one of a small number of independent evaluators in the region.
- Fixed-fee proposals in 24 hours. Not estimates, not time-and-materials. The fee in your quote is the fee on your invoice.
- Independent third party. We are not a roofer, not an insurance company, not a builder. Our only product is the evaluation, so our report has no skin in the construction game.
- SKH approved. HECS is on the Kentucky Housing Corporation list of approved SKH evaluators. If you are applying for SKH grant reimbursement, our evaluation is the documentation the program requires.
- One project manager for the whole job. FORTIFIED evaluation, blower door test, HERS rating, energy audit: we coordinate scheduling so you make one phone call, not five.
FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation service area near Ashland
HECS also delivers FORTIFIED Roof evaluation in:
- FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Louisville, KY
- FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Lexington, KY
- FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation overview
- Schedule a free scoping call
Service area: Ashland + 25-mile radius + all of Boyd County + adjacent counties across Kentucky.
Frequently asked questions about FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Ashland
How much does FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation cost in Ashland?
The 2026 IBHS-evaluator fee for a single-family FORTIFIED Roof evaluation in the Ashland area runs $300 to $600, depending on roof size, attic access, and roof complexity. HECS quotes a fixed fee after a free scoping call, so you know the cost before we visit. Required FORTIFIED upgrades (if any) are separate and typically run $1,000 to $3,000 for most Ashland homes; if your roof already meets FORTIFIED standards, the evaluator fee is your only out-of-pocket cost.
Does Ashland qualify for the SKH (Strengthen Kentucky Homes) grant?
If your home is in Kentucky and you have an active homeowners insurance policy, you may qualify for SKH grant funding covering up to $10,000 of qualifying FORTIFIED Roof upgrade costs. The program reimburses after work is complete. HECS is on the KHC approved-evaluator list and handles the evaluator portion of your SKH application. Southern Indiana homes do not currently have a comparable state program, but many Indiana insurers offer FORTIFIED Roof premium discounts.
Do you travel to Ashland for FORTIFIED projects?
Yes. 180 from our Louisville HQ. Ashland-area projects are a 3h drive. For projects outside our standard service radius, we partner with local field techs to minimize travel cost while maintaining IBHS-credentialed sign-off on every report.
What does a FORTIFIED Roof evaluation actually include?
Our Ashland FORTIFIED Roof evaluation includes: roof deck attachment inspection and verification, drip edge measurement, flashing inspection, sealed-deck verification (or documentation of required re-nailing and taping), gable end bracing check, impact-rated shingle verification, attic ventilation and sealed-deck review, and a complete photo-documented report meeting IBHS FORTIFIED submittal standards.
Can HECS coordinate with my Ashland roofer or insurance carrier?
Yes. HECS regularly coordinates FORTIFIED Roof projects with local roofers, insurance carriers, and program reviewers across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. We deliver reports in the format your reviewer requires and are happy to attend coordination calls when requested. References from Ashland-area builders and code officials available on request.
Get a Ashland FORTIFIED Roof proposal
Fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours, not an estimate.
Related HECS services: all HECS services · FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation · FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Ashland · Schedule a free scoping call
Related service areas near Ashland
Frequently asked questions — Ashland process + scheduling + code
How quickly can HECS schedule a FORTIFIED evaluation in Ashland?
Most FORTIFIED evaluations in the Ashland metro schedule within 2-3 weeks of contract signing. The roof + attic + fastener documentation typically requires 1-2 site visits.
Is HECS an active IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator in Ashland?
Yes. HECS field technicians hold current IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator credentials. We can submit to IBHS directly on behalf of the homeowner, builder, or insurance carrier.
What is the difference between FORTIFIED Roof, Silver, and Gold designations?
FORTIFIED Roof addresses roof deck attachment, sealed roof deck, and edge metal. Silver adds opening protection (impact-rated windows/doors, gable bracing). Gold adds the complete structural tie-down including wall-to-foundation connections. Most Ashland insurance carrier rebates apply to at least the Roof designation.
What is the typical FORTIFIED Roof insurance carrier discount for Ashland homeowners?
Insurance carrier discounts vary by carrier and state — typical ranges are 5-15% for Roof, 15-25% for Silver, and up to 30-55% for Gold. Contact your carrier for the specific Kentucky rates; HECS can provide the certificate that documents the FORTIFIED status.
Does HECS submit FORTIFIED documentation to IBHS directly in Ashland?
Yes. After the on-site evaluation and photo documentation, HECS prepares the IBHS submission package and submits it for FORTIFIED designation. Most submissions receive designation in 6-10 weeks.
Does FORTIFIED certification require a roof replacement in Ashland?
No — FORTIFIED Roof can be applied to an existing roof if it meets the attachment + sealed deck + edge metal criteria (or is upgraded to meet them). Full replacement is often the easiest path on aging roofs; HECS can advise on the most cost-effective option.