A FORTIFIED Evaluator is an independent, certified professional who verifies that a property meets the FORTIFIED standard. Without an Evaluator, there is no designation. Every FORTIFIED Home, Commercial, and Multifamily project requires one.
Evaluators are the quality control mechanism that makes FORTIFIED meaningful. They document that the right materials were used and installed correctly by a certified contractor. IBHS reviews that documentation and issues the designation. That third-party chain of custody is what distinguishes a FORTIFIED designation from a claim that a home was built to a similar standard.
FORTIFIED Testimonial - Nathan Lippincott FORTIFIED Evaluator FORTIFIED Process and ROI Part 3 from IBHS on Vimeo.
If you are a homeowner or developer
Contact a FORTIFIED Evaluator before construction or re-roofing begins. The Evaluator needs to be involved from the start, not brought in at the end. They will identify what work is needed, oversee the project, conduct a final inspection, and submit documentation to IBHS for certification.
Evaluator fees vary based on the property's size, scope of work, and location. Get quotes from several evaluators before deciding who to work with.
The evaluation process
- Hire a FORTIFIED Evaluator before work begins
- Choose a certified FORTIFIED roofer or builder
- Construction or re-roofing begins
- The evaluator conducts a final inspection and submits documentation to IBHS
- IBHS reviews and issues the FORTIFIED designation certificate
Multifamily and Commercial projects
FORTIFIED Multifamily and Commercial designations follow a different process than residential. Rather than a single certified Evaluator, these projects require an engineering or consulting firm with FORTIFIED expertise to serve as the third-party verifier. Developers must also apply to IBHS before construction begins. The Evaluator firm negotiates a consulting agreement with the developer, then completes the necessary reviews and documentation throughout the construction process to verify compliance with the FORTIFIED standard.
Key reasons developers pursue FORTIFIED Multifamily designation:
- Lower operating costs through reduced risk and potentially lower insurance premiums
- 74% of tenants surveyed would pay an average of 2.17% more to live in a resilient building
- Reduced risk of lost revenue from storm-related displacement and repairs
- Enhanced asset desirability and lender confidence
- Third-party verified documentation that supports insurance underwriting and financing
SHA provides technical assistance to developers and project teams navigating the FORTIFIED Multifamily and Commercial designation process. Contact us to discuss your project.
If you are a professional looking to become an evaluator
FORTIFIED Evaluators are certified after completing a comprehensive training course, passing a final exam, and meeting professional eligibility requirements. Certification is administered through IBHS, and training is available through FORTIFIED Wise.
Becoming a certified Evaluator opens up a growing market. Demand for FORTIFIED designations has accelerated significantly, with over 20,000 issued in 2025 alone across 31 states. Evaluators are essential to every one of those designations.