★★★★★
Carlos was a pleasure to work with as our Fortified Roof Evaluator. He’s knowledgeable, efficient, and easy to work with, supporting you through the process, answering any questions you may have. Highly recommended.
— Brad Hubbard
LDI grant update
Grant program to re-open June 1-19, 2026: all of St. Tammany Parish is now eligible for Louisiana Fortify Homes grants.
See dates and documents
FORTIFIED® evaluations, home inspections, and environmental testing — clear answers from a Louisiana inspector you can trust.
Hey y’all, I’m Carlos Lawton — a veteran and Louisiana small business owner. I’ve been inspecting homes, businesses, and offshore assets since 2010, and I bring a careful, detail-focused approach to every job based on years of real-world inspection work.
I help homeowners and builders across Southeast Louisiana with FORTIFIED® Roof, Silver, and Gold evaluations including projects in Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Madisonville, New Orleans, Metairie, the Westbank, and the Gulf Coast.
If you’ve got questions or just want to talk it through, give me a call — I’m always happy to help. My cell is 985-705-3575. If I don't answer, I'll call you right back as soon as I can.
Carlos Lawton
FORTIFIED® Evaluator | Home Inspector | Environmental Inspector
Louisiana Licensed Home Inspector (LHI #11060)
IBHS Certified FORTIFIED HOME™ Evaluator
Louisiana Dept. of Insurance Certified FORTIFIED Evaluator
A-Pro Home Inspector
NACHI Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
NAMRI Certified Mold Inspector (#418376)
Louisiana Veteran Owned Business
⚜⚜⚜
What People Are Saying
★★★★★ Rated 5 stars by Louisiana homeowners, builders, and roofing contractors.
Louisiana Fortify Homes Program
Next $10,000 FORTIFIED Roof Grant Lottery Opens June 1, 2026
The Louisiana Department of Insurance announced that registration for the next Louisiana Fortify Homes Program lottery opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026 and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. This round includes 3,000 grants of up to $10,000.
The biggest local change: all of St. Tammany Parish is now eligible, including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Lacombe, and nearby Northshore communities. Homeowners still need to meet the program requirements.
Before registration, gather:
- Homestead exemption
- Homeowners insurance declarations page with wind coverage
- Flood insurance declarations page if the home is in a flood zone
- Your LFHP login or a new homeowner profile
LDI says homeowners who registered in a previous round but were not selected must register again. Selection notices are expected by email beginning Monday, June 22, 2026.
⚜⚜⚜
Inspection Services
Learn more about FORTIFIED® evaluations, home inspections, and environmental(mold) testing services in Southeast Louisiana.
FORTIFIED® Services
FORTIFIED® Roof, Silver & Gold Evaluations
Guidance, inspections, documentation, and certification support for homeowners and builders pursuing FORTIFIED® Roof, Silver, or Gold designations. I perform required verification inspections, document critical construction details, and submit certification packages to IBHS to help ensure the home meets FORTIFIED standards and program requirements.
Learn more →Residential Inspection
Home Inspections
Thorough residential inspections with clear reporting to help buyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners better understand a property's condition, major systems, safety concerns, and maintenance needs.
Learn more →Mold, Environmental & IAQ
Mold, Environmental & Indoor Air Quality Testing
Indoor allergies? Unexplained black stuff? Headaches? Call me and let's talk about it. I provide Inspection and testing services for indoor environmental concerns including mold and other indoor contaminants that can cause health issues. Is that asbestos? Does my home have lead-based paint or meth contamination? I can test for it and help you figure out what to do.
Learn more →⚜⚜⚜
How the FORTIFIED® Process Actually Works
A FORTIFIED project is not just a roof purchase. It is a documented process that has to line up before, during, and after the work.
1. Call the evaluator first
Before the roofer starts, I check the project path, review basic eligibility concerns, and explain what must be documented while the work is still visible.
2. Coordinate with the roofer
The roofer installs the roof. My role is independent verification: roof deck, nailing, sealed deck, drip edge, flashing, vents, materials, and required photos.
3. Submit to IBHS
After the required documentation is collected, the file is submitted for IBHS review. The FORTIFIED certificate is issued only after the file is accepted.
4. Use the certificate
The certificate may be needed for grant closeout, insurance discount requests, tax documentation, resale conversations, and future redesignation.
⚜⚜⚜
Why Homeowners and Builders Call Lawton Enterprises
Clear communication
No fluff, no confusion — just straightforward answers about what matters and what comes next.
Field experience
Years of inspection experience across homes, businesses, and complex properties means a detail-focused eye on every job.
Louisiana perspective
Storm exposure, moisture, wind, and coastal construction realities are part of the conversation here — they matter.
One trusted contact
Whether the project involves FORTIFIED, inspection concerns, or environmental questions, you get direct help from Carlos.
⚜⚜⚜
Louisiana FORTIFIED® Grant FAQ
When does the next Louisiana Fortify Homes lottery open?
LDI announced that the next lottery registration period opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026 and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. This round includes 3,000 grants of up to $10,000.
All of St. Tammany Parish is now in an eligible area, but homeowners still need to meet the program requirements and register during the lottery window.
Can I start the roof before grant approval?
Do not start grant-related roof work until the program rules say you can. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program has warned that homeowners cannot use grant funds for work started or completed before receiving the required grant approval. Other local programs may have their own rules, so check the current program instructions first.
Why should I line up a FORTIFIED® evaluator early?
Only certified FORTIFIED® evaluators can perform required inspections. The number of qualified evaluators in Louisiana is limited, and availability tightens quickly during storm season and periods of high demand.
Does the evaluator replace the roof?
No. I do not sell roofs. The evaluator role is to inspect, verify, document, coordinate required timing, and submit the FORTIFIED documentation package. Roofing costs, roofing contracts, and roof installation are separate from the evaluation fee.
Does my home qualify for insurance discounts?
Many Louisiana insurers offer premium discounts for homes that meet FORTIFIED® standards. Eligibility and discount amounts vary by carrier.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance publishes an annual report showing which insurers offer FORTIFIED® discounts:
View the Louisiana FORTIFIED® Insurance Discount Report (PDF)
What is the Louisiana FORTIFIED® roof tax credit?
Louisiana offers a state income tax credit for homeowners who install a qualifying FORTIFIED® roof. This tax credit is separate from the grant and can be used in addition to it on eligible out-of-pocket costs.
In plain terms, the grant helps pay for the roof up front, and the tax credit can help reduce what you owe in Louisiana state income taxes later — but only on the portion of the roof you paid for out of pocket.
The roof must be properly inspected and certified through IBHS, and the credit is claimed when you file your Louisiana tax return. This is a tax credit, not a rebate check.
Because tax situations vary, homeowners should always confirm details with their CPA or tax professional.
Tell me how this works
This is the typical flow for many Louisiana FORTIFIED Roof grant projects. Program rules can change, but the basic sequence matters.
- YOU: Give me a call – 985-705-3575.
- I: Perform the pre-site inspection at your home and gather required documentation. Attic access is mandatory.
- I: Submit your initial application package to LDI.
- LDI: Reviews your application and issues approval to move forward.
- YOU: Gather bids from the program's approved or eligible roofing contractors when required.
- LDI: Reviews bids and authorizes you to select a contractor.
- YOU + ROOFER: Finalize details and schedule the installation.
- I: Return during installation to document required FORTIFIED® components.
- I: Upload final documentation to IBHS for certification.
- IBHS: Reviews documentation and issues the FORTIFIED® certificate.
- I: Deliver the certificate to you and upload it to LDI.
- LDI: Releases grant funds directly to the roofer — process complete.
For parish, city, veteran, or nonprofit grant programs, the administrator may be different, but the same big idea applies: approval first, documentation during the work, certificate before closeout.
What causes delays in the grant process?
- LDI review timelines: Application and bid reviews depend on volume and funding availability.
- Inspection timing: Certain FORTIFIED® inspections must occur during installation, not after the roof is finished.
- Contractor availability: Roofing schedules can shift due to weather or material delays.
- Incomplete documentation: Missing photos, product information, or paperwork can pause IBHS or program review.
- Roof details: Low-slope areas, roof-mounted equipment, old flashing, drip edge, and vent details can create extra review if they are not handled correctly.
- High demand periods: Storm season and grant reopenings can slow all stages of the process.
My role is to help identify and prevent these issues early so the process stays on track.
What should I do now?
Call me and book an evaluation. I can usually be out there next day or two days later. Better to get the evaluation done as soon as you can.
⚜⚜⚜
Where can I get more information?
Insurance Discounts
Many insurers offer premium discounts for homes that meet FORTIFIED® standards.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance publishes an annual report outlining which
insurers offer discounts and how they are applied.
View the Louisiana FORTIFIED® Insurance Discount Report (PDF)
Louisiana Tax Credit
Louisiana also offers a state income tax credit for qualifying FORTIFIED® roofs.
This credit is separate from the grant and may be used on eligible out-of-pocket costs.
Tax credits reduce what you owe in state income taxes, but are not a rebate.
View the Official Louisiana FORTIFIED® Tax Credit Guidance (PDF)
FORTIFIED® Program
FORTIFIED® standards go beyond building code to improve real-world storm
performance through better materials, installation, and verification.
Visit the FORTIFIED® Program Website
⚜⚜⚜
Areas Served
Lawton Enterprises provides FORTIFIED® evaluations, home inspections, and environmental testing throughout the Louisiana Northshore, Southshore, Westbank, and surrounding Southeast Louisiana communities.
Northshore
Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Lacombe, Hammond, Ponchatoula, and the rest of St. Tammany Parish.
Southshore & Westbank
New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Gretna, Westwego, and surrounding Jefferson Parish communities.
Coastal & Southeast Louisiana
Grand Isle and other Southeast Louisiana communities where storm-hardening, moisture control, and property performance matter.
⚜⚜⚜
FORTIFIED® Evaluation Services in Louisiana
Lawton Enterprises provides certified FORTIFIED® Roof, Silver, and Gold evaluations in Louisiana for homeowners, roofers, and builders. If you're planning a FORTIFIED project or applying for the Louisiana grant program, learn more about how the evaluation process works.
⚜⚜⚜
FORTIFIED® in the News
Recent headlines and updates pulled from Louisiana and local news coverage, plus LDI-related search results.
How much is a fortified roof? Program grants funds for upgrades in Louisiana - Houma Today
3,000 fortified roof grants up for grabs: What Louisiana homeowners should know - WWLTV.com
Louisiana Fortify Homes Program opens registration for $80 million roof grant initiative - KATC
Registration for Louisiana FORTIFIED roof grant lottery begins today - louisianaradionetwork.com
Homeowner shares benefits of fortified roof as lawmakers look to lower insurance costs - WWLTV.com
Louisiana homeowners can apply for grants to upgrade, protect roofs against storms - WAFB
Version Date: 5/29/2026 Page 1 of 2 SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LFHP HOMEOWNER The following is a summary of the Louis - Louisiana Department of Insurance (.gov)
Louisiana fortified roof program expands with $64M in excess funds - WDSU
Louisiana adds money to expand its fortified roof program by 60% - Louisiana Illuminator
New law expands Louisiana fortified roof program - fox8live.com
Tall ships, naval vessels arrive in New Orleans as Sail 250 gets underway - WWLTV.com
Louisiana expands fortified roofing program to lower insurance costs - fox8live.com
Louisiana kicks off big expansion of fortified roofs. See how many grants are available. - NOLA.com
Louisiana wants $50 million for fortified roofs. Here’s how it could help insurance rates. - NOLA.com
⚜⚜⚜
⚜⚜⚜
Request an Inspection or Evaluation
NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
985-705-3575
I don’t sell roofs — my role is to independently verify work, inspect property conditions, and provide clear answers about what I see. Whether you need a FORTIFIED® evaluation, a home inspection, or environmental testing, give me a call and I’ll walk you through it.