Getting Ready is Easier Than You Think

The most common FEMA-related funding paths homeowners hear about are HMGP, FMA, and ICC. HMGP may become available after a presidentially declared disaster, FMA is focused on reducing repetitive flood damage to NFIP-insured buildings, and ICC may help certain NFIP policyholders pay for required floodplain compliance work.

No. Reliable Foundations does not approve FEMA grants, insurance claims, or funding awards. Those decisions are made by the appropriate federal, state, local, parish, municipal, or insurance-related authorities.

Our role is to help homeowners understand the process, prepare for the project, coordinate required planning, and complete the elevation and foundation work if the project moves forward.

Reliable Foundations can help homeowners understand what information is typically needed, gather project-related documents, coordinate with surveyors and engineers when needed, and prepare for the construction portion of an elevation project.

We do not guarantee approval, but we help homeowners become more organized and better prepared.

HMGP stands for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. FEMA describes HMGP as a program that provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to help communities reduce future disaster losses. When requested by an authorized representative, this funding may be available after a presidentially declared disaster.

FMA stands for Flood Mitigation Assistance. FEMA describes FMA as a competitive grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes, and territories for projects that reduce or eliminate repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

ICC stands for Increased Cost of Compliance. ICC is coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program that may help qualifying policyholders pay part of the cost to elevate, relocate, demolish, or floodproof a structure when required to meet floodplain compliance

standards. FEMA states that ICC may provide up to $30,000 for eligible mitigation measures.

In many cases, homeowners may be able to work with a qualified contractor of their choice, but contractor selection rules can vary depending on the funding program, grant agreement, local administrator, and project requirements.

Before signing any agreement, homeowners should confirm the rules with the agency or program administrator handling their application.

Payment procedures vary by program, administrator, and grant structure. Some programs may involve reimbursement, staged payments, inspections, or payment through a local or state administrator.

Homeowners should confirm the payment process with the agency managing their grant or insurance claim before construction begins.

A good starting point is to gather:

• Flood insurance policy or declarations page
• Elevation certificate, if available
• Property survey
• Warranty deed or proof of ownership
• Mortgage information
• Property tax assessment
• Photos of flood damage
• Prior flood insurance claim documents
• FEMA or insurance correspondence
• Substantial damage letter, if one has been issued
• Utility information
• HOA documents, if applicable

These documents help create a clearer picture of the property, flood history, insurance status, and project requirements.

That is very common. Many homeowners start the process with only some of the required information.

The first step is identifying what you already have and what still needs to be gathered. Reliable Foundations can help you understand which documents may be helpful before moving forward.

An elevation certificate is often helpful because it documents important elevation information about the property. FEMA explains that elevation information may be used to show compliance with local floodplain management requirements and may also be used by property owners for flood insurance purposes.

If you do not have one, that does not necessarily mean you cannot begin the conversation. Reliable Foundations can help you understand when an elevation certificate may be needed and whether a surveyor or other professional should be involved.

A substantial damage letter is typically issued by a local building or floodplain official when damage to a structure reaches a level that may trigger floodplain compliance requirements.

If you receive one, keep a copy. It may be important for insurance, permitting, FEMA-related review, and project planning.

Some funding paths are tied to flood insurance. For example, FMA focuses on buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program, and ICC is coverage associated with NFIP policies.

Even when flood insurance is not the only factor, your insurance status is one of the first items to review when evaluating potential funding options.

Flood zone information is usually determined through FEMA flood maps, local floodplain records, elevation certificates, surveys, or insurance documentation.

Reliable Foundations can help homeowners understand what information may be needed, but official flood zone determinations should be confirmed through the appropriate mapping, insurance, or local floodplain authority.

The timeline varies depending on funding review, documentation, engineering, permitting, weather, utility coordination, site conditions, and construction scope.

In many cases, the approval and planning process takes longer than the physical elevation work, which is why it is important to begin gathering documents early.

In most elevation projects, homeowners should expect that the home will not be livable during at least part of the construction process.

Utility disconnections, structural lifting, foundation work, inspections, and site access requirements can affect whether the property can be occupied.

Yes. Electric, gas, water, sewer, HVAC, and other systems usually need to be reviewed before elevation work begins. Some utilities may need to be disconnected, protected, relocated, extended, or reconnected depending on the project.

Some slab homes may be elevated, but they require careful evaluation, engineering, and planning. The feasibility depends on the structure, foundation system, site conditions, elevation requirements, and project budget.

Reliable Foundations can review the property and explain what options may be available.

In many cases, raised homes or pier-and-beam homes may be candidates for elevation, depending on the structure and existing foundation conditions.

A site inspection is needed to determine the safest and most practical approach.

Often, yes. When a home is elevated, stairs, landings, porches, ramps, railings, utilities, driveways, walkways, and access points may need to be adjusted to meet code and project requirements.

Most elevation and foundation projects require permits and inspections. Specific requirements depend on the local jurisdiction, floodplain requirements, project scope, and construction plans.

After elevation work is completed, the project may require final inspections, utility reconnection, closeout documentation, insurance updates, and any grant-related closeout paperwork required by the program administrator.

Elevation may help reduce flood risk, and in some cases it may affect flood insurance rating. However, insurance premiums depend on several factors, including flood zone, elevation, policy details, mapping, and insurer requirements.

Homeowners should speak with their insurance agent to understand how elevation may affect their specific policy.

Base Flood Elevation, often called BFE, is a regulatory flood elevation used for floodplain management, insurance, and building requirements. It is one of the key measurements used when evaluating how high a structure may need to be elevated.

Freeboard is additional height above the required flood elevation. Some communities require or recommend freeboard to provide additional protection and reduce future flood risk.

Required elevation height is typically determined by local floodplain requirements, applicable building codes, flood zone information, elevation data, and project-specific engineering.

Reliable Foundations can help homeowners understand the construction implications, but official requirements should be confirmed through the appropriate local authority and project professionals.

Reliable Foundations specializes in foundation systems, home elevation, structural lifting, shoring, and structural rehabilitation. We understand that elevation projects require more than construction — they require planning, communication, documentation, coordination, and careful execution.

Our team helps homeowners understand what comes next and delivers the elevation and foundation work needed to complete the project.

Reliable Foundations can help with:

• Initial project consultation
• Property and foundation review
• Grant readiness discussion
• Construction planning
• Survey and engineering coordination
• Permitting coordination, when applicable
• Home elevation
• Foundation construction
• Utility coordination planning
• Project communication
• Final inspection and closeout support

Yes. In fact, it is often helpful to speak with us early. We can help you understand what information may be needed, what questions to ask, and how to prepare for the construction phase if your project moves forward.

The first step is to schedule a consultation and begin gathering your basic property, insurance, flood history, and ownership documents.