New IBHS Contractor Requirements Took Place November 1, 2025

If you live along the Alabama or Mississippi Gulf Coast, you’ve heard the term FORTIFIED®, and for good reason. It has become the gold standard for resilient roofing and home protection in coastal, wind-prone regions.

However, as of November 1, an important update took effect:

New, stricter requirements for contractors who wish to install roofs eligible for official FORTIFIED® certification.

In other words:

✔ Homeowners can no longer hire any roofer and simply ask for a FORTIFIED roof

✔ Contractors must now meet the new IBHS provider criteria

✔ Homeowners must hire an IBHS-approved / FORTIFIED-certified contractor in order for the project to qualify for official certification

That means who you hire is now just as important as how the roof is built and it directly impacts whether your home can receive an official FORTIFIED certificate at the end of the project.

Why the Change Matters

These new requirements were designed to:

    •    Reduce certification failures caused by improper installation or poor documentation

    •    Ensure consistency and accountability across the roofing industry

    •    Protect homeowners from unqualified, uninsured, or sales-driven installers

    •    Strengthen resilience outcomes in hurricane-exposed regions

FORTIFIED is not marketing. It is measured, photographed, verified, and third-party documented. If a contractor cannot meet the new standards, your roof cannot be certified, even if they claim they “build to FORTIFIED anyway.”

What Is Now Required From Contractors

While specific details are controlled by IBHS, the new requirements generally include:

    •    Verified FORTIFIED-specific training and credentialing

    •    Current IBHS-approved certification status

    •    General liability insurance documentation

    •    Workers’ compensation insurance or legal exemption

    •    Agreement to follow required documentation + evaluator processes

    •    Proof of operational compliance (business, licensing, ethical standards, etc.)

This protects homeowners from the unfortunately common scenarios where:

    •    A roof is installed correctly but not documented, therefore it can’t certify

    •    A contractor sells a “FORTIFIED-style roof” but is not eligible to certify

    •    A project fails because a contractor cannot supply required records to the evaluator

What Homeowners MUST Do Before Signing a Contract

Here is the new non-negotiable rule:

To receive an official FORTIFIED certificate, your contractor must be IBHS-approved and currently FORTIFIED-certified… period.

Before signing anything, ask for:

1️⃣ Proof of current FORTIFIED contractor status

2️⃣ Copies of general liability + workers’ comp insurance

3️⃣ Written contract language stating:

    • The project will pursue official FORTIFIED certification

    • A third-party evaluator will be assigned

    • Contractor will supply all required documentation

4️⃣ Confirmation that an evaluator will be involved from the beginning

5️⃣ Product, fastening, underlayment, and sealed-deck specifications

If any contractor says:

    •    “We install FORTIFIED roofs all the time. You don’t need certification”

    •    “That paperwork stuff is a waste”

    •    “FORTIFIED is just a fancier roof”

    •    “We can skip the evaluator to save money”

→ Stop immediately. That is a red flag.

Protecting Your Investment

An uncertified roof, even if well-built, means:

🛑 No certificate

🛑 No potential insurance benefits

🛑 No real-estate documentation value

🛑 No FORTIFIED identification in future MLS / appraisal records

FORTIFIED certification is not about shingles. It is about proof, process, and professionalism.

This new contractor requirement ensures the certification remains meaningful and that homeowners receive the resilience they were promised.

Novare’s Position

At Novare, we fully support these elevated contractor standards because they:

    •    Protect homeowners

    •    Elevate the roofing industry

    •    Reduce failures and shortcuts

    •    Encourage transparency and accountability

We welcome anything that builds stronger homes, smarter consumers, and a more ethical industry.

Final Takeaway

FORTIFIED certification is no longer just about the roof. It’s about the roofer. If FORTIFIED certification is your goal, your contractor must be FORTIFIED-certified through IBHS. No exceptions. No work-arounds. No “word-of-mouth assurances.”