Strengthen Kentucky Homes Approved FORTIFIED Evaluator
The Kentucky Strengthen Kentucky Homes (SKH) program helps Kentucky homeowners pay for a FORTIFIED™ roof — a stronger, more weather-resilient roof that can earn insurance discounts of up to 55%. The program names approved evaluators who verify FORTIFIED Roof, Silver, and Gold designation work after the roofer finishes. Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc. (HECS) is one of those approved evaluators. This page explains the homeowner workflow step by step and answers the questions Kentucky applicants actually ask.
Call (502) 643-7160 — SKH & FORTIFIED proposal in 24 hours
Quick answer: Yes, HECS is approved for Strengthen Kentucky Homes. HECS performs the independent FORTIFIED Roof evaluation, documents qualifying roof work with the roofing 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.
How the SKH program and HECS fit together
SKH is administered by the Kentucky Department of Insurance. The state publishes a directory of approved evaluators on skh.ky.gov/CERTEVALCONTACT.ASPX. HECS — Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc., John Sabbak, La Grange, KY, (502) 643-7160 — is on that list. HECS is also an IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator holding every active FORTIFIED designation (Roof, Silver, Gold), verifiable through the FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator.
Homeowner workflow — from grant application to FORTIFIED certificate
1Homeowner applies to SKH through the state program. The Kentucky Department of Insurance reviews eligibility. HECS is not involved in the grant decision; the program rules determine whether a roof qualifies for grant funding. Check current SKH eligibility rules at insurance.ky.gov.
2Homeowner (or contractor) names HECS as the approved evaluator. Per the SKH program, the FORTIFIED evaluator is independent of the roofing contractor. HECS performs the evaluation, not the roofer. Choose HECS from the SKH directory: skh.ky.gov/CERTEVALCONTACT.ASPX.
3Homeowner contacts HECS for a fixed-fee proposal. HECS quotes a flat fee based on home size, designation level (Roof / Silver / Gold), and travel. The proposal is delivered within 24 hours. No hourly billing. Call (502) 643-7160 or email [email protected].
4Homeowner hires a qualified roofing contractor to do the FORTIFIED-spec reroof. HECS is the evaluator, not the roofer. The roofing contractor must install the FORTIFIED Roof package: sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails, upgraded roof covering, and verified attachments. HECS coordinates with the contractor before, during, and after the reroof to make sure the documentation trail is complete.
5Pre-roof / mid-roof / post-roof evaluation by HECS. The evaluator’s role requires independent documentation. HECS visits the site at the agreed milestones, photographs the work, and records the deck attachment, sealed-deck taping, nail type/spacing, and roof covering details.
6HECS submits the FORTIFIED designation package to IBHS. HECS signs the FORTIFIED designation documentation as the approved evaluator and submits it to IBHS for the official FORTIFIED certificate. The package includes the photos, measurements, contractor coordination notes, and the SKH-required evidence.
7IBHS issues the FORTIFIED designation. Homeowner receives the certificate. SKH program reviews the submission per its own rules. Insurance carrier applies the applicable FORTIFIED premium discount (typically up to 30% for FORTIFIED Roof and up to 55% for FORTIFIED Gold in Kentucky).
When can work begin?
Work can begin after the homeowner (a) is approved for the SKH grant per state program rules, (b) has a roofing contractor under contract, and (c) has HECS engaged as the FORTIFIED evaluator. The official SKH program rules govern the order and timing of milestones; HECS coordinates evaluation visits around the contractor’s schedule but does not authorize the start of construction.
Homeowners should contact HECS before shingles are removed so the evaluator’s pre-roof documentation captures the deck condition, existing attachment patterns, and any structural considerations. Skipping the pre-roof visit is the most common cause of incomplete FORTIFIED packages.
Evaluation fee treatment
HECS charges a fixed fee for the evaluation — not hourly. HECS does not set, collect, or administer the SKH grant itself. The grant program decides what costs are reimbursable under current program guidelines. HECS invoices the homeowner (or the program, if the program elects to pay the evaluator directly) per the proposal. Travel is quoted up front so the invoice matches the proposal. Call (502) 643-7160 for a same-day quote.
What HECS does — and what your roofer does
HECS (the FORTIFIED evaluator) does:
- Pre-roof site visit and documentation
- Mid-roof inspection during deck exposure
- Post-roof inspection and measurement
- Photographic evidence capture
- FORTIFIED designation submission to IBHS
- Coordination with the roofing contractor on the documentation trail
Your roofing contractor does:
- Tear-off and disposal of existing roof covering
- Installation of the FORTIFIED Roof package: sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails, drip edge, flashing, upgraded roof covering
- Compliance with the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard current at the time of construction
- Coordination with HECS for site access at each milestone
HECS does NOT do: the reroof itself, the grant-application decision, the insurance underwriting, or any warranty work on the roof covering. Those are the roofer’s, the program’s, the carrier’s, and the manufacturer’s responsibilities, respectively.
Documentation HECS needs from the homeowner
- Property address and county (HECS verifies the project is within HECS’s Kentucky service area)
- Roof square footage or home square footage (HECS scopes the visit accordingly)
- Existing roof covering type, if known
- Homeowner’s SKH application status (approved / pending / not yet applied)
- Roofing contractor’s name and contact (HECS coordinates directly with the contractor)
- Insurance carrier (so HECS can confirm the carrier recognizes FORTIFIED for premium discounts)
Frequently asked questions — SKH and FORTIFIED evaluation in Kentucky
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). HECS performs the independent FORTIFIED Roof evaluation, documents qualifying roof work with the contractor, and submits the evidence package required for program review.
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 at fortifiedhome.org.
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 holding every active FORTIFIED Home designation.
Do homeowners pay HECS, or does the SKH grant cover the evaluation?
HECS charges the homeowner a fixed fee for the evaluation. Whether the SKH grant reimburses that fee depends on the current SKH program rules and the homeowner’s specific award. HECS quotes a flat fee up front and invoices per the proposal. Call (502) 643-7160 for a same-day quote.
Can HECS recommend a roofing contractor?
HECS is the FORTIFIED evaluator, not a roofing contractor. Per IBHS and SKH rules, the evaluator must be independent of the contractor. HECS will coordinate with the homeowner’s chosen contractor on the documentation trail. Homeowners select the contractor separately.
Does HECS serve my county?
HECS serves Kentucky statewide from the La Grange, KY headquarters. SKH grant applicants from any Kentucky county can name HECS as their evaluator. HECS coordinates travel as part of every proposal so the invoice matches the quote.
What is the typical timeline?
HECS quotes a proposal within 24 hours of the scoping call. Most Kentucky projects schedule the pre-roof visit within 1–3 weeks of contract. Field evaluation takes 1–3 site visits depending on the designation level. IBHS issues the FORTIFIED certificate after the package is submitted; SKH program review follows per its own rules.
Are insurance discounts guaranteed?
FORTIFIED designations are recognized by Kentucky insurance carriers for premium discounts of up to 55%, but the actual discount depends on the carrier, the policy, and the designation level achieved. FORTIFIED Roof typically yields a smaller discount than FORTIFIED Silver or Gold.
How do I get started?
Call (502) 643-7160 or email [email protected]. Have your property address, county, and project type ready. HECS returns a fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours.
Where to verify HECS’s credentials independently
- Kentucky SKH Certified Evaluator directory — lists HECS as Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc., John Sabbak, La Grange, KY, (502) 643-7160, hecsusa.com.
- IBHS FORTIFIED Home Provider Locator — lists every IBHS-trained FORTIFIED Home Evaluator and their service areas.
- IBHS FORTIFIED Home program — the official program definition, designation standards, and approved-roof-covering lists.
- Kentucky FORTIFIED Roof Contractor Handbook — state-published guidance on contractor and evaluator roles.
About HECS
Home Energy & Comfort Solutions Inc. (HECS) is an NCI-certified testing and evaluation firm headquartered in La Grange, Kentucky (Oldham County). Founded in 2009, HECS delivers FORTIFIED Home Evaluator services, HVAC testing and balancing, blower door testing, and ENERGY STAR / NGBS / EarthCraft / 45L certification services across Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, Kansas, and Missouri. John Sabbak is the principal evaluator.