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 7, 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 Kentucky and surrounding communities.
HECS is an IBHS-Trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator in Kentucky.
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 — Kentucky
Who does FORTIFIED roof evaluation in Kentucky?
HECS — Home Energy & Comfort Solutions, headquartered in La Grange, Kentucky — is the
IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator serving 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 Kentucky.
How much does FORTIFIED roof evaluation cost?
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
IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator. Strengthen your home against high wind, hail, and hurricane. KY, OH, IN, TN, IL, MO.
NCI Certified
RESNET Certified
IBHS FORTIFIED
Since 2009
6-State Service
Fixed-Fee Quotes
FORTIFIED is a beyond-code building standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). HECS is an approved IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator and delivers FORTIFIED Roof, Silver, and Gold designations for builders and homeowners in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri.
What is FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation?
FORTIFIED Roof is the entry-level designation: a series of roof-system upgrades (ring-shank nails, sealed roof deck, reinforced edges, impact-rated shingles) verified by an independent FORTIFIED Home Evaluator. FORTIFIED Silver adds windows, doors, garage doors, and attached-structure protection. FORTIFIED Gold is full-structure protection including a continuous load path.
FORTIFIED was developed after Hurricane Katrina research showed that most roof failures start at the edges and the deck. The standard’s requirements target the failure points: a 6-nail pattern on every shingle, a sealed roof deck that holds water out if shingles blow off, and reinforced edges that withstand 130+ mph winds.
FORTIFIED Roof can reduce insurance premiums 20-55% in coastal states, but the construction benefits apply everywhere. Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and the Midwest see derecho events, hailstorms, and tornadoes — and FORTIFIED Roof is increasingly being specified by builders and re-roofing contractors across the region.
Who needs fortified roof evaluation?
-
Homeowners re-roofing after storm damage or proactively hardening against future storms.
Builders of new construction in wind- or hail-prone areas.
Insurance carriers requiring FORTIFIED for premium discounts.
Re-roofing contractors needing a FORTIFIED evaluator to verify their work.
Government programs (state and local) subsidizing FORTIFIED upgrades in disaster-prone areas.
HECS’s process for fortified roof evaluation
- FORTIFIED application and pre-construction review. HECS walks the project with the homeowner, builder, or roofer. We confirm the FORTIFIED designation level (Roof, Silver, Gold), review the existing or planned construction, and identify the upgrades required to meet the standard.
- Mid-construction verification (for re-roofing). After tear-off and before the new roof goes on, HECS inspects the deck, the nailing pattern, the edge metal, and the underlayment. The sealed roof deck and reinforced edge are documented photographically for the FORTIFIED file.
- Final on-site inspection. HECS inspects the finished roof, confirms shingle impact rating (UL 2218 Class 3 or 4), and verifies every component of the FORTIFIED checklist for the chosen designation level.
- FORTIFIED file submission to IBHS. HECS compiles the FORTIFIED file: design documentation, photos, verification forms, and a final report. The file is submitted to IBHS for the FORTIFIED certificate.
- FORTIFIED certificate issued by IBHS. Once the file is approved (typically 4-8 weeks), IBHS issues the FORTIFIED certificate. The homeowner can use it for insurance discounts and resale documentation.
FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation pricing (2026 benchmark)
| Project type | 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| FORTIFIED Roof — re-roofing on existing home | $800 – $1,500 |
| FORTIFIED Roof — new construction | $600 – $1,200 |
| FORTIFIED Silver — re-roofing on existing home | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| FORTIFIED Gold — new construction | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| FORTIFIED file transfer / re-certification | $300 – $600 |
Pricing is 2026 Midwest benchmark. Travel bundled with related services. Fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours of a free scoping call. NOTE: the federal FORTIFIED Roof evaluation for FORTIFIED ended 6/30/2026; the FORTIFIED designation itself remains active.
Service area
HECS delivers FORTIFIED Roof, Silver, and Gold evaluations across Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri. FORTIFIED is project-based and travel is bundled with related services. Re-roofing projects are scheduled within 2-4 weeks of contract signature.
HECS also delivers fortified roof evaluation in:
FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation — frequently asked questions
Is the FORTIFIED Roof evaluation still available?
No. The federal FORTIFIED Roof evaluation for FORTIFIED-certified homes ended 6/30/2026. The FORTIFIED designation itself is still active and recognized by IBHS, and many state and local programs and insurance carriers still offer incentives. HECS continues to deliver FORTIFIED evaluations as a service.
How much does a FORTIFIED Roof cost in additional materials?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft re-roof in 2026, the FORTIFIED material upgrade (ring-shank nails, sealed roof deck, reinforced edge, Class 3 or 4 impact-rated shingles) adds $1,500-$4,000 to the re-roof cost. The HECS evaluator fee is separate. Insurance premium discounts typically recover the upgrade cost in 4-7 years.
What is the sealed roof deck?
A sealed roof deck is a layer of self-adhered membrane or tape (commonly Grace Ice & Water Shield, WeatherWatch, or similar) that covers the entire roof deck. If shingles blow off in a storm, the sealed deck keeps water out of the attic. It’s the single biggest FORTIFIED Roof upgrade for Midwest storm resilience.
How long does the FORTIFIED process take?
Application to IBHS certificate is typically 6-12 weeks: 1-2 weeks for application and pre-construction review, 2-4 weeks for the on-site evaluation, 4-8 weeks for IBHS review and certificate issuance.
Will my insurance premium drop?
Most major carriers (State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Erie, etc.) offer FORTIFIED Roof premium discounts of 20-55% in qualifying states. The exact discount depends on your state, carrier, and designation level. HECS does not set or quote insurance rates — contact your carrier.
Do I have to use FORTIFIED-rated shingles?
For FORTIFIED Roof, yes — Class 3 or Class 4 impact-rated shingles (UL 2218) are required. FORTIFIED Silver and Gold have additional impact and pressure requirements. HECS can recommend specific shingle products that meet the FORTIFIED standard in your climate zone.
Related HECS services
Get a FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation proposal
Fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours — not an estimate.
Related HECS services: all HECS services · Contact HECS · HERS Rating · Blower Door Test · Duct Leakage Test · FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation