High Tide Contracting and Roofing is a Preferred Contractor for the Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) Program. We can perform several structural enhancements for the three levels of certification-Regular, Gold and Silver- for fortifying your home or business. These include sealed and enhanced roof decking, locked down roof edges, added chimney bracing and anchoring, impact-resistant shingles, wind and rain-resistant attic vents, impact-resistant windows and doors, pressure-rated garage doors and more.
What is the Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) program?
The Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) program is a grant program that gives Alabama homeowners (single family/owners of the EXISTING homes) the cost of mitigation of up to $10,000 toward having their home FORTIFIED™. Homeowners can apply for these grants on January 3, April 1, July 1 and October 1st every year. There are a limited number of homes that receive grants every year—so it’s first come, first serve. Visit https://strengthenalabamahomes.com/Home/Contact for more info.
Why have your home FORTIFIED™?
April is here and Hurricane Season begins June 1st! High Tide Contracting and Roofing can make some structural upgrades to your home to help you certify it as a FORTIFIED™ Home. A FORTIFIED™ home, because of its upgrades, is better able to withstand high winds, blowing rain, tornados, hail or other harsh weather-related conditions that occur along the Gulf Coast. Homeowners can receive grants through the Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) grant program and can save up to 55 percent on insurance premiums if their home is FORTIFIED™.
What you need to know about renewing your FORTIFIED™ roof certification in 2024
If your home or business was last certified approximately 5 years ago, it may be time to re-certify! Homeowners will be notified based upon rolling dates, so it is crucial to note the date listed on your home’s certificate. The certificate expires in 5 years from the initial date.
What is a Fortification Certificate?
This 5-year certificate is based upon an inspection (usually every 5 years) by a contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing), roofer or designated evaluator who verifies your existing home’s current FORTIFIED™ status is still valid. It certifies that your home with its structural enhancements will continue to hold up to high winds, flying debris and blowing rain from tornados, hurricanes and other weather-related storms.
Why do you need to recertify your home?
It is important to recertify your FORTIFIED™ Home for the next 5 years to continue to maintain your discounted homeowners’ insurance premiums and state tax credits for storm mitigation work. The recertification process is designed to not only verify your discounts for insurance purposes, but also ensure your home’s enhanced structure will continue to withstand the strong winds, blowing rain and flying debris from storms and other weather-related events.
How to renew your FORTIFIED™ roof certification
These certifications need to be performed by a certified evaluator, contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) or roofer. Additionally, if your home has been modified or renovated with structural changes, the contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) who performed the work may need to provide additional documentation for recertification. If your recertification deadline expires, the homeowner will be required to pay an additional $50 processing fee.
It is important to renew your home’s certification. Contact a certified inspector to recertify your FORTIFIED™ status for an additional 5 years. You will receive documentation that you will need to share with your insurance company to receive set allocated discounts for having a FORTIFIED™ Home.
To verify your recertification date, visit https://fortifiedhome.org/fortified-certificate-request/.
For more info., visit https://fortifiedhome.org/renew-your-designation/.
The Ultimate Guide to FORTIFIED™ Roofing: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Fortifying your home or commercial building does not have to be confusing. This certificate is based upon an inspection (usually every 5 years). You have questions? We have answers.
What is a FORTIFIED™ Roof?
What is a FORTIFIED™ home/building? A FORTIFIED™ home or building has undergone upgrades to various structural components that allow it to better withstand high winds, tornados, blowing rain, hurricanes and other weather-related conditions. These upgrades are based upon standards set forth by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). There are three levels of fortification that a home or business can be certified with including Regular, Silver and Gold. Each level adds additional layers of protection for your home and its contents. Once you’ve decided on the level of protection, it’s time to hire a roofer or contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) to perform the work involved in reinforcing your home or business. Once your home or business is FORTIFIED™, you will receive a certificate valid for 5 years. This certificate also allows you to receive discounts on homeowner’s insurance and state tax credits for storm mitigation. However, you must renew your certificate every 5 years, with rolling dates. Be aware, if you modify or remodel your home and its structure, additional documentation from the contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) that performed the construction on your home may be needed to re-certify.
How much does a FORTIFIED™ roof cost?
Having your home FORTIFIED™ requires some structural upgrades to the roof, doors and windows, chimney and more. Depending on building codes and materials and labor costs in your area, the cost can vary. Once the construction is complete, a contractor, roofer or designated evaluator needs to perform an inspection to provide the certification needed (which is usually every 5 years). The cost could fall between 1-3 percent of the total budget. A typical 2,000 sq ft. home could be $1,000 to $3,000. A third-party evaluator or contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) to certify the FORTIFIED™ roof could cost between $300 and $600. We provide free estimates. Finally, for Alabama residents, the Strengthen Alabama Home (SAH) grant provides up to $10,000 to owners of existing home to upgrade to a FORTIFIED™ standard. These grants are not based upon income and may not cover the entire cost. The state of Alabama has an income tax credit of up to $3,000 for storm mitigation work.
Does my home qualify for FORTIFIED™ upgrades?
Homes that qualify for the FORTIFIED™ certification include single family homes (including modular homes, two-family dwellings/duplexes, manufactured homes built after 1994 and townhomes (unit must extend from foundation to the roof).
Is a FORTIFIED™ roof worth it?
The short answer is YES! When you fortify your home, you, your family and home are better protected from severe weather. In addition, your insurance premiums will be less (as much as up to 50 percent less in some areas) because of the Fortification certificate that is renewed every 5 years. Finally, there is grant money of up to $10,000 that you can apply for to help cover a portion of the cost of fortifying your home. Homeowners can apply for these grants quarterly (or 4 times per year).
How to apply to FORTIFIED™ roof grant program?
Owners of existing, single-family homes can apply for the Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) grants on a first come, first serve basis to help offset the cost of upgrading to a FORTIFIED™ roof. Homeowners can apply for grants quarterly (or 4 times per year). Grants are awarded up to $10,000, may not cover the entire cost and are not based upon household income. Visit the Strengthen Alabama Homes website to apply or for more info.
What is a FORTIFIED™ roof in Alabama?
A FORTIFIED™ Home in Alabama is an existing home that has undergone structural upgrades to better withstand high winds, tornados, blowing rain, hurricanes and other weather-related conditions. These upgrades are based upon standards set forth by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). There are three levels of fortification that a home or business can be certified with including Regular, Silver and Gold. Each level adds additional layers of protection for your home and its contents. There are a couple factors to consider when looking at the cost of a FORTIFIED™ Home. First, you will save money on your homeowner’s insurance. Homeowners in Coastal Alabama typically save up to 55 percent on their insurance premiums depending on the carrier and level of protection.
Check out this PDF with more information about Coastal Alabama discounts.
Homeowners further inland can save up to 30 percent on premiums. Click here for more info.
To learn more, visit the FORTIFIED™ Home website.
What are the FORTIFIED™ standards?
A FORTIFIED™ Home must meet a certain list of standards. These standards are established by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). A licensed contractor (High Tide Contracting and Roofing) can perform several structural enhancements for the three levels-Regular, Gold and Silver- of fortifying your home or business: Sealed and enhanced roof decking, locked down roof edges, added chimney bracing and anchoring, impact-resistant shingles, wind and rain-resistant attic vents, impact-resistant windows and doors and pressure-rated garage doors. The Gold level includes additional strengthening including attachments for roof to wall, story to story and wall to foundation. For more info., visit the FORTIFIED™ Home website.
