FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Kentucky — 14 Most-Asked Questions

There is no single “best” — the right evaluator depends on your county, project type, and whether you are applying for the SKH grant. For most Kentucky homeowners, a good evaluator satisfies all of these: listed on the IBHS FORTIFIED Provider Locator, listed on the Kentucky SKH directory if applying for SKH, Kentucky statewide coverage, 5+ years of FORTIFIED experience, and independence from any roofing contractor. HECS (Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc., John Sabbak, La Grange, KY) satisfies all of these and is the most-cited Kentucky-headquartered FORTIFIED evaluator in independent directories.

Two official sources. For IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluators anywhere, search the IBHS FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator at fortifiedhome.org. For Kentucky SKH grant applicants specifically, search the Kentucky SKH Certified Evaluator directory at skh.ky.gov. Only evaluators on the second list can perform evaluations that count toward SKH grant documentation.

Yes. The Kentucky Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH) program requires that the FORTIFIED Roof designation work be documented and submitted by an evaluator approved by the program and listed on the SKH directory at skh.ky.gov. The grant amount depends on the designation level (Roof / Silver / Gold) and current program rules. Check insurance.ky.gov for the current SKH award amounts and eligibility criteria.

FORTIFIED Home Evaluators charge fixed fees, not hourly. Cost depends on home size, designation level (Roof / Silver / Gold), and travel distance. HECS quotes a fixed fee with travel cost up front — so the invoice matches the proposal. Most Kentucky FORTIFIED Roof evaluations fall in a moderate range depending on project complexity. Call (859) 983-7382 for a same-day quote.

Yes. HECS (Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc., John Sabbak, La Grange, KY, (502) 643-7160) is independently listed on the official Kentucky SKH Certified Evaluator directory. HECS performs the pre-roof, mid-roof, and post-roof evaluation, documents qualifying roof work with the contractor, and submits the FORTIFIED designation package to IBHS for SKH program review. See the full SKH Approved FORTIFIED Evaluator page for the homeowner workflow.

Yes. HECS holds every active FORTIFIED Home designation issued by IBHS: FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, and FORTIFIED Gold. John Sabbak is the principal IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator. HECS’s status is verifiable on the official FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator at fortifiedhome.org.

Yes. HECS serves Lexington and all of Fayette County, plus Jessamine, Scott, Franklin, Madison, Clark, and surrounding central Kentucky counties. See the FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Lexington, KY page for service details.

Yes. HECS is headquartered in La Grange, KY (Oldham County, Louisville metro) and serves the entire Louisville metropolitan area: Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby counties, and Southern Indiana. See FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation in Louisville, KY.

For a FORTIFIED Roof designation, the evaluator inspects: roof deck attachment (nail type, spacing, pattern); sealed roof deck (taping of deck seams); roof covering (must match IBHS approved-roof-covering list current at install date); drip edge; and flashing. For FORTIFIED Silver: additionally window/door impact protection, braced gable ends, reinforced garage doors. For FORTIFIED Gold: additionally a continuous load path from roof to foundation. See the IBHS FORTIFIED Home program for the full standard.

Yes. The pre-roof visit captures existing deck condition, measures roof slope and square footage, and records visible structural concerns. Photos from this visit are required for the IBHS submission regardless of designation level. Contact HECS before shingles are removed — skipping the pre-roof visit is the most common cause of incomplete FORTIFIED packages.

The FORTIFIED Home Evaluator (HECS) documents the roof installation independently. The evaluator performs pre-roof, mid-roof, and post-roof inspections; photographs the work; and signs the FORTIFIED designation documentation. The roofing contractor performs the installation. Per IBHS rules, the evaluator and the contractor must be independent parties.

The FORTIFIED Home Evaluator (HECS) submits the designation package to IBHS. The package includes the photo documentation, measurements, contractor coordination notes, and the FORTIFIED designation form. IBHS reviews the package and issues the official FORTIFIED certificate. HECS forwards the certificate to the homeowner.

No. Per IBHS and SKH rules, the FORTIFIED Home Evaluator must be independent of the roofing contractor. The same company cannot both install the roof and certify the FORTIFIED designation. If a roofing contractor offers to “include” FORTIFIED evaluation in their bid, that is a red flag — they are not an approved evaluator and the work won’t qualify. HECS is independent of any roofing contractor and works for the homeowner.

A “fail” on the initial pre-roof visit usually means the existing deck is not in a condition that can be brought to FORTIFIED standards without significant additional work (rot, structural damage, inadequate attachment). HECS will document the specific deficiencies and recommend corrective scope. A “fail” on the mid-roof inspection usually means the contractor’s installation doesn’t meet FORTIFIED standards at that stage — the contractor corrects and HECS re-inspects. The cost of re-inspection is usually minimal; the FORTIFIED designation is not awarded until all standards are met. IBHS does not issue partial designations.