Accepted! What's Next

Getting Started

Accepted into the EBB Program - What's Next

Once you have registered and have been notified you've been accepted into EBB, you will log on to your EBB Homeowner Dashboard. The Dashboard is where you will upload pre-retrofit and post-retrofit photos and documents for approval. The Dashboard will guide you through each step of your retrofit and notify you if you need to provide any additional information.

If you applied for the Supplemental Grant, you and all income earners that reside in the household, must complete the electronic Income Verification Form (Form) on your Dashboard within 30 days. Failure to submit the Form within 30 days of acceptance as an EBB Participating Homeowner will result in you forfeiting the opportunity to receive a Supplemental Grant.

You will have 12 weeks (or 90 days) to gather pre-retrofit photos and documents, and to either hire a contractor from EBB's Contractor Directory or decide to do the work yourself as an owner-builder.

From the time EBB reviews and approves the pre-retrofit documentation you've uploaded to your Dashboard, you will have six months (or 180 days) to complete your retrofit.

Steps to an EBB Retrofit

After your registration is complete, and you've been accepted into the program, you will have 12 weeks to complete Phase One of the EBB retrofit. To stay on track, you may wish to follow this suggested timeline:

PHASE ONE: PRE-RETROFIT
You will have 12 weeks to submit the required pre-retrofit photos and documents, and choose how the retrofit work will be completed. Login and track your progress in your Homeowner Dashboard.
	If you are going to hire a contractor to do the retrofit work, you must choose one from EBB’s Contractor Directory of licensed contractors educated in seismic retrofitting. Contact contractors on the Contractor Directory and schedule appointments to get bids. Review What You Should Know Before Hiring a Contractor (PDF) Interested in doing the work yourself? Learn more about what’s required of an Owner-Builder
	Meet with contractors, receive and review bids. Check your Homeowner Dashboard to see if you need to get more than one bid.
	Select a contractor, or become the owner-builder and do the work yourself. If you hired a contractor, check your Homeowner Dashboard for instructions related to your bid(s). If you are an owner-builder, review these do-it-yourself tips. As an owner-builder, you become the general contractor for your project and assume complete responsibility for the overall job.
	AFTER you receive your EBB acceptance, get a building permit and upload it to your Homeowner Dashboard. Important! You must get the building permit after your EBB acceptance date. If your permit is dated prior to your acceptance date, you will be disqualified from EBB. Before you get your permit, check your Homeowner Dashboard for specific directions on what wording must be included on your building permit. If you hired a contractor, they can get the building permit for you.
	You or your contractor must upload these items to your Homeowner Dashboard for approval: Copy of your building permit Plans/Drawings Required photos of house exterior (Your Dashboard will provide you with specific instructions and examples of what’s required.) Three photos of the crawl space before retrofit Bid(s) if indicated on your Dashboard that it’s needed Proof of occupancy, such as a utility bill A completed W-9 form if indicated on your Dashboard that it’s needed If you are a Supplementary Grant (SG) recipient, and your total grant (EBB plus SG) is $5,000 or more, submit: a signed, notarized, and recorded Special Flood Hazard Area Conditions form (PDF), and a copy of your flood insurance policy
Important! To remain eligible to receive the EBB grant, do not begin your retrofit construction work before receiving EBB’s approval of your uploaded documents.
PHASE TWO: RETROFIT
During this six month period, you'll complete the Brace + Bolt retrofit of your home.
	After EBB has approved your uploaded pre-retrofit documentation, you will have six months from that approval date to complete your retrofit. Instructions on your Homeowner Dashboard will guide you through this process.
PHASE THREE: POST-RETROFIT
Within 30-days after completion of the retrofit, items must be submitted to EBB for payment using the online Homeowner Dashboard.
	Gather final documents and upload them to your Homeowner Dashboard: Three photos of the crawl space showing the completed retrofit. Photos of the exterior of your house, if indicated on your Homeowner Dashboard. Important! Your Homeowner Dashboard will have exact instructions and examples for what must be included in your photos, or they will be rejected and you will need to resubmit before payment is approved for the grant. Two photos of water heater strapping. If water heater is tankless, take two photos showing a properly installed heater; no strapping necessary. One photo of the access to the crawl space. An image of the signed building permit after the retrofit is complete. Your contractor's invoice if a contractor did the work. Be sure the invoice is broken out by labor, materials, overhead and profit. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, provide all receipts, such as for your building permit and any building materials and supplies you've purchased.
PHASE FOUR: PAYMENT
Incentive payments typically will be mailed within four weeks following final approval by EBB.
	Follow directions on your Homeowner Dashboard for how to complete and submit an electronic Payment Authorization Form.