LDI has indicated that winners will be notified by email starting June 22nd.

Do not start grant-related roof work until the program rules say you can. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program has warned that homeowners cannot use grant funds for work started or completed before receiving the required grant approval. Other local programs may have their own rules, so check the current program instructions first.

Because details matter. The process starts with a Pre-Site Inspection to make sure the home meets the program guidelines for achieving certification. That should happen when the homeowner has received grant award notification, or when the decision has been made to upgrade the roof to FORTIFIED®.

From there, timing matters. Some FORTIFIED® details have to be verified while the roof work is open and visible. Once decking, underlayment, edge metal, flashing, or other required details are covered, the documentation can be harder, more expensive, or sometimes impossible to recreate.

Calling early gives the homeowner, roofer, and evaluator time to line up the inspection schedule, photo requirements, product information, and certification path before the roof work gets ahead of the paperwork.

FORTIFIED® Roof evaluations start at $500. The evaluation fee covers field inspections, photo documentation, construction detail verification, coordination with the homeowner, roofer, or builder, and the certification package needed for review. Silver and Gold evaluations start higher because they require additional inspections and documentation. See the Evaluation Cost page for complete pricing.

No. I do not sell roofs, install roofs, write roofing contracts, or choose the roofer for you. My job is to verify the required details, inspect the work at the right stages, document what was installed, and submit the FORTIFIED® certification package for review.

The roofer handles the roof. The evaluator handles the documentation and verification. Grants, insurance discounts, and certification approval are controlled by their own programs and reviewers.

Many Louisiana insurers offer premium discounts for homes that meet FORTIFIED® standards. Eligibility and discount amounts vary by carrier.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance publishes an annual report showing which insurers offer FORTIFIED® discounts:

View the Louisiana FORTIFIED® Insurance Discount Report (PDF)

Louisiana offers a state income tax credit for homeowners who install a qualifying FORTIFIED® roof. This tax credit is separate from the grant and can be used in addition to it on eligible out-of-pocket costs.

In plain terms, the grant helps pay for the roof up front, and the tax credit can help reduce what you owe in Louisiana state income taxes later - but only on the portion of the roof you paid for out of pocket.

The roof must be properly inspected and certified through IBHS, and the credit is claimed when you file your Louisiana tax return. This is a tax credit, not a rebate check.

Because tax situations vary, homeowners should always confirm details with their CPA or tax professional.

This is the typical flow for many Louisiana FORTIFIED Roof grant projects. Program rules can change, but the basic sequence matters.

• YOU: Give me a call - 985-705-3575.
• I: Perform the pre-site inspection at your home and gather required documentation. Attic access is mandatory.
• I: Submit your initial application package to LDI.
• LDI: Reviews your application and issues approval to move forward.
• YOU: Gather bids from the program's approved or eligible roofing contractors when required.
• LDI: Reviews bids and authorizes you to select a contractor.
• YOU + ROOFER: Finalize details and schedule the installation.
• I: Return during installation to document required FORTIFIED® components.
• I: Upload final documentation to IBHS for certification.
• IBHS: Reviews documentation and issues the FORTIFIED® certificate.
• I: Deliver the certificate to you and upload it to LDI.
• LDI: Releases grant funds directly to the roofer - process complete.

For parish, city, veteran, or nonprofit grant programs, the administrator may be different, but the same big idea applies: approval first, documentation during the work, certificate before closeout.

• LDI review timelines: Application and bid reviews depend on volume and funding availability.
• Inspection timing: Certain FORTIFIED® inspections must occur during installation, not after the roof is finished.
• Contractor availability: Roofing schedules can shift due to weather or material delays.
• Incomplete documentation: Missing photos, product information, or paperwork can pause IBHS or program review.
• Roof details: Low-slope areas, roof-mounted equipment, old flashing, drip edge, and vent details can create extra review if they are not handled correctly.
• High demand periods: Storm season and grant reopenings can slow all stages of the process.

My role is to help identify and prevent these issues early so the process stays on track.

Call me and book an evaluation. I can usually be out there next day or two days later. Better to get the evaluation done as soon as you can.

Request a FORTIFIED® Evaluation