Who can use the FORTIFIED standards?

To earn an official FORTIFIED designation from IBHS, your home must meet certain criteria AND your roofer, builder, or contractor must work with a FORTIFIED Evaluator to document and verify the entire construction process. Without this, you are not eligible to receive a FORTIFIED designation or qualify for its financial benefits.   

If you are not seeking official certification, you may still use the FORTIFIED standards to guide construction or re-roofing. FORTIFIED standards are available to the public on this website. Choose the standard that addresses the weather risk in your area (hurricane or high wind) and ask your contractor to follow the FORTIFIED requirements.    

How much does FORTIFIED cost?

While the FORTIFIED standards are available to use as a guide and can be downloaded here for free, there are costs associated with gaining the added protection they offer. Because FORTIFIED requires upgrades from common building codes, there will be extra costs to cover the materials and labor that make homes stronger. These costs will vary based on your home’s individual design, as well as the specific requirements of the building code in your area. 

Additionally, there is a cost to obtaining third-party verification of the FORTIFIED upgrades, which is required in order to receive the designation needed for most insurance discounts and mitigation credits. That said, upgrading to a newly constructed FORTIFIED Gold home can add 1%–3% to the total budget. When re-roofing a 2,000-square-foot home, the cost increase is typically between $1,000 and $3,000.   

How do I get started?

Use our directory to contact a FORTIFIED-trained professional who can answer your questions and help you get started. 

A FORTIFIED-certified contractor or roofing contractor understands the FORTIFIED standards and is familiar with the strict verification process.  Alternatively, you can start by selecting a FORTIFIED evaluator; this independent third-party inspector can lead you through the FORTIFIED process and help you find a contractor who understands the FORTIFIED standards.

What are the benefits of FORTIFIED?

• FORTIFIED homes are stronger against severe weather and suffer less damage.  
• The FORTIFIED method involves an inspection and verification process ensuring your home is built or re-roofed correctly. 
• A FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for annual wind mitigation credit that could lower your insurance premium. Check with your insurance agent for specific policy requirements and potential wind mitigation credits in your area.