The Complete Louisiana Homeowner Roof Finance Checklist (Grant + Credit + Insurance)

By Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC | Scott, LA | Veteran-Owned | FORTIFIED Certified | LFHP Approved

Louisiana has created more financial tools for homeowners replacing a roof than any other state in the country. Most homeowners use none of them correctly, either because they did not know about them, acted in the wrong order, or missed a deadline.

This checklist covers every step in the right sequence. Work through it before you sign a contract.

Before You Do Anything Else

Confirm your roof is actually at end of life, not just showing wear. A free inspection from an LFHP-approved contractor will tell you whether treatment or replacement is the right call. If your roof qualifies for Roof Maxx treatment, treating now and replacing FORTIFIED later is often the better financial path. If replacement is necessary, continue through this checklist.

Step 1: Determine Whether the LFHP Grant Is Currently Available

Go to ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes and check whether a grant cycle is open or upcoming. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program provides grants of up to $10,000. Application windows are typically 48 to 72 hours. The program was expanded significantly in 2026 with $80 million in new funding.

If a window is open: apply immediately before proceeding to any other step.
If a window is not currently open: set a LDI notification and proceed to Step 2.
If you were previously not selected in a lottery: you can reapply in the next cycle and also pursue the credit as a backup.

Step 2: Get a Written Estimate From an LFHP-Approved FORTIFIED Contractor

You need this before you can apply for the grant or intelligently evaluate the credit. The estimate gives you the total installed cost, which you need to:

Determine your out-of-pocket cost after the $10,000 grant
Calculate the credit benefit against your specific tax situation
Compare with the Act 473 deduction as a fallback

Make sure the contractor is both LFHP-approved and IBHS FORTIFIED certified. Acadiana Roof Restoration meets both requirements.

Step 3: Evaluate Grant vs. Credit vs. Deduction

You cannot combine the LFHP grant and the Act 404 credit on the same installation. Choose one.

Choose the grant if: a lottery window is open, you qualify, and your tax liability is modest. The grant is a direct cost offset that does not depend on your tax situation.

Choose the Act 404 credit if: no grant is currently available, your Louisiana state income tax liability is at least $10,000, and your roof will be certified in time to submit Form R-90157 through LaTAP before June 30 of the following year.

Fall back to Act 473 if: you received the grant (which prohibits the credit) or missed the Act 404 window. Act 473 provides a 50 percent deduction on costs up to $10,000 with no application. It is worth less than the credit but is always available to qualifying homeowners.

Consult your tax advisor with the contractor estimate in hand before making this decision.

Step 4: Apply for the Grant Before Work Begins

If you are pursuing the LFHP grant, submit your application through ldi.la.gov during the open window. You need your personal information, property address, proof of insurance, household income information, and your contractor's LFHP registration number.

Do not start work before grant approval. Work that begins before approval is disqualified. There are no exceptions.

Step 5: Complete the FORTIFIED Re-Roof With an Approved Contractor

Your contractor installs the roof to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard: sealed deck at all edges and penetrations, stronger fastening at the perimeter, impact-rated underlayment, and specific fastening patterns.

The contractor coordinates the third-party inspection with a FORTIFIED evaluator. This evaluator is independent of the contractor and verifies the work meets the standard before certification is issued.

Step 6: Obtain Your IBHS Certificate

After the third-party inspection confirms the work meets the FORTIFIED standard, IBHS issues the FORTIFIED Roof certificate. This document is the key to both the insurance discount and the tax credit.

Keep this document. You will need it for your insurance carrier and your LaTAP application.

Step 7: Submit the Certificate to Your Insurance Carrier

Contact your insurance agent and formally request the Regulation 136 discount. Submit a copy of the IBHS FORTIFIED certificate. Confirm that the discount is applied at your next renewal.

The average annual savings is $1,250. Verify that the discount appears on your policy documents. If your carrier does not apply the required benchmark discount, file a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance at ldi.la.gov.

The discount applies immediately for the policy period following certification. It is not retroactive.

Step 8: Apply for the Act 404 Credit if Applicable

If you are pursuing the credit rather than the grant, submit Form R-90157 through LaTAP at latap.revenue.louisiana.gov between January 1 and June 30 of the year following your IBHS certification year.

Have your IBHS certificate and contractor invoices ready. The application asks for your certification date, total qualified expenses, and property information.

Claim the credit on your Louisiana IT-540 return using Schedule J, Code 466.

Step 9: Retain All Documentation

Keep the following for at least four years:

IBHS FORTIFIED certificate with certification date
Contractor invoices showing total installed cost
Grant award documentation if applicable
LaTAP application confirmation and credit allocation letter if applicable
Insurance policy showing the Regulation 136 discount applied

These documents support your credit claim, your insurance discount, and any future transfer of the certification to a new owner if you sell the home.

Step 10: Plan the Next Roof Maxx Cycle or Replacement Timeline

If you have an existing roof that qualifies for Roof Maxx treatment before replacement, track when the five-year treatment window expires and when the roof will need replacement. Start monitoring LFHP grant windows approximately one year before you expect to need a replacement so you are positioned to apply when a window opens.

If you completed a FORTIFIED replacement, the next decision point is 15 to 20 years out. Start tracking insurance savings and confirm the discount appears on every renewal.

Acadiana Roof Restoration as Your Single Point of Contact

Every step in this checklist touches either the contractor, the state, or your insurance carrier. Acadiana Roof Restoration handles the contractor steps, coordinates the third-party inspection, provides documentation for the grant and credit applications, and can advise on the sequence.

We cannot give tax advice. Your CPA or tax advisor handles Steps 3 and 8 with the documentation we provide.

We are the only contractor in Louisiana who is both Roof Maxx 5-Star Dealer and IBHS FORTIFIED certified, which means we handle the treatment step and the replacement step with the same team.

Lafayette: 337-999-ROOF (337-999-7663)
Baton Rouge: 225-385-ROOF (225-385-7663)
Schedule at aroofrestore.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What financial incentives are available for Louisiana homeowners replacing a roof?

Louisiana homeowners who install a FORTIFIED roof have access to four financial mechanisms: the LFHP grant of up to $10,000 (lottery-based, paid to contractor), the Act 404 tax credit of up to $10,000 (applied through LaTAP, nonrefundable), the Act 473 deduction of 50 percent of costs up to $10,000 (no application required), and mandatory insurance premium discounts under Regulation 136 averaging $1,250 per year. The grant and credit cannot be combined. All four are mutually compatible except grant plus credit on the same project.

What should I do before replacing my roof in Louisiana?

Before replacing your roof in Louisiana, confirm whether the LFHP grant lottery is currently open and whether you qualify. If the grant is not available, determine whether the Act 404 tax credit timeline works for your certification year. Get a written estimate from an LFHP-approved FORTIFIED certified contractor. Do not start any work before grant approval if you are pursuing the grant. Notify your insurance carrier after certification is complete to request the Regulation 136 discount.

What order should I follow for Louisiana roof replacement financial steps?

The correct order is: (1) Get a written estimate from an LFHP-approved contractor before any application. (2) Apply for the LFHP grant if a window is open, before work begins. (3) If not pursuing the grant, plan for the Act 404 credit and note the June 30 application deadline for the year following certification. (4) Complete the FORTIFIED re-roof with an approved contractor. (5) Obtain your IBHS certificate after third-party inspection. (6) Submit the certificate to your insurer and request the Regulation 136 discount. (7) Apply for the Act 404 credit through LaTAP if applicable.

Who is Acadiana Roof Restoration and why should I use them for a FORTIFIED roof in Louisiana?

Acadiana Roof Restoration is a veteran-owned, BBB A+ accredited roofing contractor based in Scott, Louisiana. They are IBHS FORTIFIED certified, an LFHP-approved contractor, and Louisiana's only Roof Maxx 5-Star Dealer. They are the only contractor in Louisiana positioned to handle both Roof Maxx life-extension treatment and FORTIFIED replacement, and they coordinate the inspection, certification, and documentation process for every FORTIFIED job. Call 337-999-ROOF in Lafayette or 225-385-ROOF in Baton Rouge.

Can I get a free estimate for my roof replacement?

Yes, Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC provides free, no-obligation estimates that can be used for your LFHP grant or Act 404 tax credit applications.