When Florida launched Elevate Florida, its first statewide residential mitigation initiative, it signaled a strategic pivot toward stronger, more resilient homes across the 67 counties.
We are proud to announce that Florida Engineering has been selected as a qualified engineer for the Elevate Florida program, contributing engineering, inspection, and design services to support mitigation projects statewide. In this blog, we’ll explain the program, outline our role, and show how we bring value in every project phase.
What Is Elevate Florida?
Elevate Florida is a state-administered residential mitigation program led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). The core aim is to reduce future storm and flood damage to homes by funding and implementing mitigation measures across the state.
Program Features & Types of Projects
Eligible mitigation strategies include:
- Structure Elevation: Physically raising existing homes above flood levels.
- Mitigation Reconstruction: Rebuilding in an elevated, hazard-resistant form when the original structure is not salvageable.
- Wind Mitigation: Strengthening roofs, windows, doors, and components to better resist high winds.
- Acquisition and Demolition: Voluntary buyouts of flood-prone properties and converting land to open space.
Because the program is state-led, homeowners can apply directly to FDEM rather than via a local government intermediary, which helps streamline processes.
Funding, Timeline & Participation
- The state expects projects to be completed by December 2026 across all 67 counties.
- Homeowners may contribute up to 25% of project costs (cost-share) while the program may cover the remaining 75% share.
- The application portal opened in early 2025, and FDEM received over 12,000 applications during its first round.
- Projects move through stages: application, review, inspection/assessment, design & permitting, construction, and closeout.
Why it matters: Elevate Florida is poised to be one of the largest residential mitigation efforts in Florida’s history, with direct impact to homeowners, insurers, and community resilience.
Florida Engineering LLC’s Role in Elevate Florida
Being selected as a qualified vendor for Elevate Florida is not merely a badge, it reflects readiness and capability. Here’s how we intend to deliver exceptional value across the program.
Our Service Scope & Capabilities
We provide a comprehensive service suite tailored to each project phase:
1. Structural Engineering & Design
- Elevation foundation design and structural systems
- Retrofit engineering for wind- and storm-resistance
- Permit-ready construction drawings and specifications
- Compliance checks against Florida Building Code and FEMA guidelines
2. Third-Party Inspections & Assessments
- Pre-construction structural integrity reviews
- Milestone inspections during construction
- Wind retrofit inspection and demolition oversight
- Final inspections and reporting
3. Documentation & Compliance Support
- Report generation aligned with FDEM/FEMA protocols
- Assistance with cost-share calculation, duplication-of-benefits review, and closeout documentation
- Coordination and communication with case managers
Because we integrate all these services under one roof, we can streamline delivery, reduce coordination risk, and maintain tight control over quality and schedule.
What Differentiates Us
- Multidisciplinary design-build capacity: licensed engineers, and inspection professionals in-house.
- Experience with FEMA and Florida mitigation programs: we understand the protocols, cost-share models, documentation, and review cycles.
- Responsive project management: we emphasize clear communication, timely deliverables, and proactive issue resolution.
- Scalability & statewide coverage: we maintain a network of trusted partners to support projects across Florida.
Our involvement is not passive. We actively engage in planning, value engineering, risk mitigation, and ensuring project deliverables help keep Elevate Florida projects on track.
How the Process Works (From Homeowner to Mitigated Home)
To illustrate how we partner with homeowners and contractors, here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Application & Eligibility
- Homeowner submits the Elevate Florida application through FDEM’s portal.
- FDEM reviews and assigns a case manager, requests documentation (e.g. insurance, property records)
- Pre-Construction Assessments
- We perform a structural inspection.
- Produce assessment reports used to develop scope, cost estimate, and design
- Design & Permitting
- Our engineers craft mitigation solutions (elevation, wind retrofit, reconstruction)
- Permit applications (local jurisdiction, FDEM / FEMA’s required checklists)
- Contractor Selection & Construction
- Homeowner signs grant agreement and cost-share terms
- A qualified contractor is selected to perform work
- We monitor construction via milestone inspections and quality reviews
- Closeout & Certification
- Final inspection and acceptance by FDEM
- Submission of as-built documentation, elevation certificates
- Release of final disbursement
Throughout, we liaise with FDEM, the homeowner, contractor, and permitting agencies to keep projects moving efficiently.
Benefits to Homeowners & Communities
By participating in Elevate Florida and engaging our services, homeowners and communities gain:
- Risk reduction — lower exposure to flood and storm damage
- Insurance cost savings — stronger homes and compliance may reduce premiums
- Increased home value — mitigation-enhanced homes are more marketable
- Streamlined process — fewer delays, better coordination, clearer documentation
- Better oversight — third-party engineering and inspections reduce errors and rework
From a community perspective, the aggregated effect improves resilience, lowers recovery burden, and increases public confidence in mitigation investments.
How to Get Started with Us
If your team, contractor, or homeowner client is participating in Elevate Florida, here’s how we can collaborate:
- Initial Consultation & Scope Definition
We assess whether proposed mitigation strategies are suitable, estimating costs and deliverables. - Proposal & Contracting
We provide a proposal for our engineering, or inspection services. - Project Execution
We deploy our technical team to execute assessments, designs, inspections, and closeout. - Ongoing Support
We remain available for modifications, as-built changes, or audit response beyond closeout.
Let’s build safer, more resilient communities across Florida—together.
Conclusion & Call to Action
The Elevate Florida program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen homes and communities across our state. At Florida Engineering LLC, we bring the technical depth, project oversight, and integrated services necessary to help projects succeed from assessment through construction and closeout.
If you’re a homeowner, contractor, local government, or mitigation professional participating in Elevate Florida, we stand ready to support you. Reach out today and let us deliver results that live up to our promise: Fast. Accurate. Reliable.
