Service · The Certificate
FORTIFIED roof evaluation in Oklahoma
A FORTIFIED roof is only FORTIFIED once an independent evaluator has documented it and IBHS has issued the certificate. That certificate is the piece of paper the grant and the insurance discount both depend on, so understanding the evaluation is worth a few minutes before you hire anyone. This page covers what the evaluator does, what it costs, and why it is independent of the roofer.
What the evaluator documents
An evaluator certified by IBHS inspects and photographs the roof against the FORTIFIED standard at defined stages of the job, not just at the end. That means documenting the deck fastening before the cover goes on, the sealed seams, the edge metal, and the final cover attachment. The evaluator compiles the evidence and submits it to IBHS, which reviews it and issues the certificate to your property. Because the checks happen during the work, the roofing has to be scheduled so the evaluator can see each stage.
Source: IBHS FORTIFIED program, fortifiedhome.org.
What it costs
The independent evaluator fee is typically under $500, within the roughly $300 to $600 range IBHS describes. It is separate from the roofing labor and materials, and it is part of the modest premium, about $1,000 to $3,000, that a FORTIFIED roof adds over a standard re-roof. Against the grant and the yearly discount, it is a small line.
Why the certificate is required
The certificate is not a formality. The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes grant pays the contractor only after the certificate is issued, and the section 962 discount depends on it too. It is the objective proof the roof was built to standard, which is why the evaluation is done by someone independent of the installer.
Where the evaluation fits in the job
The evaluation runs alongside the roofing, so your roofer and the evaluator coordinate on timing. The FORTIFIED retrofit and replacement page covers the build itself, the what is a FORTIFIED roof guide covers the standard, and the Oklahoma FORTIFIED Roofing Guide is the hub. We arrange FORTIFIED work with rostered roofers across the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros.
Before You Sign Anything
Verify your FORTIFIED roofer and grant eligibility in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has no residential roofing license, so a homeowner's protection is what they check themselves. Four real credentials, in the order you confirm them:
1. CIB registration and the new endorsement
Oklahoma roofers register with the Construction Industries Board under the Roofing Contractor Registration Act. As of July 1, 2026, residential roofing also requires a Residential Roofing Endorsement earned by a CIB-approved exam (House Bill 1628), with a window to July 1, 2027 to pass it or finish continuing education. Both sit on the registration, not a license. Confirm current status on the CIB lookup.
Basis: Oklahoma CIB, oklahoma.gov/cib; House Bill 1628.
2. The OKReady approved roster
Grant-funded work must be done by a contractor on the state OKReady approved roster, and the grant asks you to pick three of them for bids. Confirm the roofer is on the published list before you sign anything.
Verify at oid.ok.gov/okready-contractors.
3. The IBHS FORTIFIED credential
The designation is not the roofer's word. An independent IBHS-certified evaluator documents the work, and IBHS itself issues the certificate to the property. IBHS lists FORTIFIED-trained professionals and evaluators in a public directory.
Directory: fortifiedhome.org.
4. A current certificate of insurance
Ask for a current certificate of insurance direct from the carrier, plus a written, itemized estimate that lists the FORTIFIED upgrades separately from the base re-roof. The itemized line is how you confirm the sealed deck and enhanced nailing are actually in the job.
Ask the contractor and confirm with the insurer named on the certificate.
Three questions to ask before you sign
- What is your CIB roofing registration, and do you hold the Residential Roofing Endorsement, so I can check both?
- Who performs the FORTIFIED evaluation, and is that evaluator independent of your company?
- Will the written estimate itemize the FORTIFIED upgrades separately from the base re-roof?
Questions and Answers
FORTIFIED evaluation questions
What does a FORTIFIED evaluator do?
An independent evaluator certified by IBHS documents the roof against the FORTIFIED standard at defined stages, the deck nailing, the sealing, the edge metal, and the cover attachment, and submits the evidence to IBHS. IBHS reviews it and issues the certificate. The evaluator works for you and is independent of the installer.
What does an evaluation cost?
The independent evaluator fee is typically under $500, within the roughly $300 to $600 range IBHS describes. It is separate from the roofing itself and is part of the small premium a FORTIFIED roof adds over a standard re-roof.
Why is the certificate required before the grant pays?
The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes grant pays the contractor only after the IBHS FORTIFIED certificate is issued, and the section 962 insurance discount also depends on that certificate. The certificate is the proof the roof was actually built to standard, which is why the evaluation is not optional for either benefit.
Can my roofer also be the evaluator?
No. The evaluator is independent of the installer by design, so the documentation is objective. Ask any roofer you consider who performs the FORTIFIED evaluation on their projects and confirm that person is a separate, IBHS-certified evaluator.