Strengthen Alabama Homes Guide
The $10,000 Roof Grant — How It Actually Works
The SAH process has real steps, real timelines, and real gotchas. Here's everything you need to know before you apply.
$10K
Max Grant Award
30%
Potential Insurance Savings
7%
Home Value Increase (UA Study)
Before You Apply, Understand the Structure
The Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) program is funded by the Alabama Department of Insurance and provides grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard. It's a legitimate, well-funded program — but it works differently from hiring a contractor directly.
The process is homeowner-driven: you apply, you choose your evaluator, and you choose your contractor from an approved list. Bowab is on that list. But we've found that homeowners who understand the full process upfront have a much smoother experience — and fewer surprises at the end.
The SAH grant is available quarterly to any Alabama homeowner with a primary residence and a homeowners policy with wind coverage. There are no income limits.
The 7 Steps, Explained
Here's what actually happens from application to finished roof.
1. Start here
Create Your SAH Profile & Submit the Application
Go to strengthenalabamahomes.com, create a profile, and submit your application; you’ll then have 7 days to upload income verification, your insurance declaration page, and the vendor disclosure form. Act fast—SAH grants are first-come, first-served and can be gone in minutes, so have all documents ready to submit immediately when the window opens (your insurance dec page is the one most people scramble for). If you need help, Bowab can connect you with local nonprofits to guide you. Also, confirm the exact shingle product, manufacturer, and algae-resistance warranty in writing—don’t accept vague answers.
2. Evaluation
Choose a FORTIFIED Evaluator
After your documents are reviewed, you'll be notified to select a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator. The evaluator is an independent third party — not a contractor — who inspects your home and documents exactly what work needs to be done to reach the FORTIFIED Roof standard. They charge a fee that is the homeowner's responsibility, separate from the grant.
Important: Evaluator fees vary. Ask about the fee before selecting yours. This cost does not count toward the $10,000 grant.
3. Bidding
Get Three Bids from SAH-Approved Contractors
Once your evaluation is complete, you'll choose three contractors from the SAH-approved list to submit bids on the specific scope of work identified by the evaluator. All three bids are submitted to the SAH program before any work begins.
Your right as a homeowner: You are not required to take the lowest bid. You choose the contractor you trust — price, communication, and materials are all fair factors.
3. Bidding
Get Three Bids from SAH-Approved Contractors
Once your evaluation is complete, you'll choose three contractors from the SAH-approved list to submit bids on the specific scope of work identified by the evaluator. All three bids are submitted to the SAH program before any work begins.
Your right as a homeowner: You are not required to take the lowest bid. You choose the contractor you trust — price, communication, and materials are all fair factors.
4. Grant Award
Receive Your Grant Award Letter
After all three bids are submitted, SAH will issue your grant award letter before any work begins. This letter confirms the grant amount (up to $10,000). Do not allow any contractor to start work before you receive this letter — it's your protection.
If your job costs more than $10,000: Any amount above the grant is your responsibility, due to your contractor under your direct contract with them. The SAH process cannot be paused to arrange for overages — work out the cost difference with your contractor before the work starts.
5. Installation
Work Is Completed to FORTIFIED Standards
Your chosen contractor completes the mitigation work. The FORTIFIED standard is specific — it's not just a standard roof replacement. Sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails, proper flashing, and other requirements all apply. Your evaluator will work alongside your contractor to document compliance throughout the process.
Why this matters: A contractor who cuts corners doesn't just do shoddy work — they can cause the certification to fail, which means no grant payout. Choose a contractor who knows FORTIFIED requirements inside out.
6. Certification
Receive Your IBHS FORTIFIED Designation Certificate
Once the work passes inspection, you'll receive an official FORTIFIED Designation certificate from IBHS. This document is your proof of certification — keep it. SAH will then issue payment to your contractor up to the grant amount.
7. The Payoff
Get Your Insurance Discount Applied
Take your FORTIFIED certificate to your insurance agent and request the mitigation discount. Alabama law requires admitted carriers to honor it — surplus carriers are not obligated. If your insurer is a surplus carrier, consider shopping your policy. Upload the new declaration page with the applied discount to finalize your SAH application.
Note: The insurance discount process can take some time. Follow up with your agent if you don't see the discount reflected within a billing cycle.
Realistic Timeline of What to Expect
Day 1–7
Application submitted and required documents uploaded within 7-day window.
Week 2–3
Documents reviewed by SAH. You're notified to select a FORTIFIED Evaluator.
Week 3–5
Evaluator inspection completed. Scope of work documented and submitted.
Week 5–7
Three contractor bids gathered and submitted to SAH. Grant award letter issued.
Week 7–9
Roof installation completed, evaluated, and submitted for FORTIFIED certification.
Week 9–12
FORTIFIED certificate received. SAH grant payment issued to contractor. Insurance discount applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. The SAH program is open to all Alabama homeowners regardless of income, as long as the home is your primary residence, owner-occupied, and a single-family home with a homeowners insurance policy that includes wind coverage.
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The grant covers up to $10,000 of the total cost. Anything above that is the homeowner's responsibility, paid directly to the contractor under your contract. It's important to understand this before work begins — the SAH process cannot be paused mid-project to sort out overages. Discuss the full cost and any potential gap with your contractor before signing.
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You must choose from the SAH-approved contractor list, and you must get three bids. However, you are free to choose any of those three contractors — it doesn't have to be the lowest bid. You can weigh communication, materials, experience, and any other factor that matters to you.
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The Alabama Department of Insurance provides funding quarterly. Grant availability can vary — if a funding round closes before your application is processed, your application rolls into the next cycle. Getting your application in early in a funding quarter gives you the best chance of same-cycle approval.
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Discounts vary by insurer, but homeowners with a FORTIFIED Roof designation can typically see discounts on the wind portion of their homeowners premium. Some insurers offer up to 30% on the wind portion for five years. Alabama law requires admitted carriers to apply the discount — surplus carriers are not required to. If your current insurer is a surplus carrier, the FORTIFIED certificate is a strong reason to shop your policy.
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The FORTIFIED Evaluator is an independent certified inspector who assesses your home's current condition and documents exactly what work is needed to reach the FORTIFIED Roof standard. They also monitor the installation and submit documentation for certification. It's helpful to be present for the initial inspection, but not required. Ask your evaluator what they prefer.
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Yes. A University of Alabama study found that FORTIFIED homes sell for nearly 7% more than comparable non-FORTIFIED homes. In addition to the resale value, transferability of the insurance discount can be a selling point for buyers, depending on the carrier.