New Headwaters Economics, IBHS study analyzes costs of wildfire-resistant construction in California
Study finds Enhanced wildfire-resistance can be achieved for less than
"Each new home built in
"Measures that protect homes from igniting are among the best defenses against rising wildfire risks," said Dr.
The study looks at building materials and assemblies for five primary home components – the roof, under-eave area, exterior walls, attached deck and near-home landscaping – and analyzes the cost of three different levels of wildfire resistance for homes in
The cost analysis reveals building an Enhanced wildfire-resistant home, beyond the requirements of Chapter 7A, increased the approximate cost of construction by just
"With ever-increasing wildfire risks, we cannot wait to invest in wildfire-resistant homes, neighborhoods, and communities," said Barrett.
Wright added, "Every dollar matters in a family budget. A modest investment in wildfire resilience at the time of new construction is more affordable and practical to achieve than through a later retrofit. Delaying these wildfire-resistant actions just shifts the burden to the future homeowner who will, undoubtedly, need to address the survivability of their home later."
While findings from the cost analysis inform dialogue and policy for new construction, wildfire risk remains for millions of existing homes in need of retrofits. The report urges policymakers and communities to identify ways to support existing homeowners with actions on individual properties that can improve community resilience.
The wildfire-resistant components assessed in the Enhanced and Optimum homes are consistent with IBHS's Wildfire Prepared Home™ program, which can be used as a retrofit solution for existing houses. As the first wildfire mitigation designation program, Wildfire Prepared Home provides homeowners with a set of wildfire mitigation actions that, when taken together, can meaningfully reduce risk. Once the actions have been completed and verified by an inspection, IBHS provides a designation that demonstrates the home's increased wildfire resilience.
According to the study, upfront investments in wildfire resilience yield not only long-term benefits for communities by reducing the chance of a devastating fire event even as the crisis grows in
Explore the full report online: https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/wildfire-resistant-costs-california/.
Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group whose mission is to improve community development and land management decisions. https://headwaterseconomics.org/
The IBHS mission is to conduct objective, scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss. Learn more about IBHS at DisasterSafety.org.
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