Great Homes Update Program
Home Improvement Reimbursement Application
Important Tips
- Review the Great Homes Update Program Website
- Please have all required documents ready before starting the application.
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You must obtain a quote for the contractor/business that you plan to utilize through the program before applying
- Only formal documents will be accepted for the contractor quotes. Quotes must include: a date, the scope of work, photos of the proposed improvements, business contact information (Name, Address, Phone Number)
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Work that has been started/completed prior to getting a notice to proceed from the City will not be reimbursed or accepted
- Any quotes/estimates that are already signed for or paid for will not be accepted. Do not begin any work prior to getting a notice to proceed from the City.
- Visit the Great Homes Home Lookup Tool to look up your home's address and identify your potential reimbursement percentage amount and minimum total project cost required.
- Additional Resource:
Links for Required Attachments
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Proof of Property's Market Value from Fort Bend CAD*
- Attach PDF or image file with proof of property's market value from the Fort Bend CAD (https://esearch.fbcad.org/). Pages outside of Fort Bend CAD (such as Zillow, HAR, etc.) will not be accepted.
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Proof of Current Tax Statement from Fort Bend County Tax Office*
- Attach PDF or image file with proof of being current on taxes from the Fort Bend County Tax Office (https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/fbc/index.jsp)
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Minimum Photo Requirements
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Please attach 4 detailed color photographs of the existing exterior condition of your property:
- 1 photo straight in front of the home
- 1 photo at 45-degree angle on the left side of the home
- 1 photo at a 45-degree angle on the right side of the home
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1 photo in front of your property with the printout
- The printout can be downloaded and printed here: Photo 4 - Printout for Great Homes.pdf
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Please attach 4 detailed color photographs of the existing exterior condition of your property:
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W-9 from IRS
- Attach a completed W-9 Form (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9)
- Disclosure of Lead Based Paint and/or Lead Based Paint Hazards
Home Eligibility Requirements
- All single-family houses within the Sugar Land city limits are eligible for the program to receive a reimbursement incentive
- Townhouses, multi-family buildings, and condominiums are not eligible
- Any occupancy and ownership qualify (Owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or vacant)
- Must be current on taxes
- Homes in the 10% and 25% reimbursement brackets must possess homeowner's insurance
- The eligible property's address must be within the Sugar Land city limits
- Work cannot have been completed or begun prior to receive a notice to proceed and executed agreement from the City. Applications that include projects that have already been completed or started will not be approved.
Additional 2% Reimbursement Incentive
In addition, an additional 2% reimbursement incentive may be granted if all of the requirements are met:
- The Applicant has obtained an exterior home design through the Great Homes Design Program (https://sugarlandecodev.com/great-homes/design-program)
- The Applicant describes the scope of work for the project in the Application and states how the project will achieve the exterior home design granted through the Great Homes Design Program
- The Applicant demonstrates substantial completion of at least one aspect of the design, excluding landscaping.
Examples of substantial completion include:
- Painting a home to match the colorway of a home design;
- Adding or modifying architectural features to match a reimagined home design; and/or
- Implementing improvements to match those found in a home design, such as windows, garage doors, or lighting features.
Process
- Once the application is approved and the applicant has received the Notice to Proceed Letter and executed agreement, the home improvement project can begin. Do not sign for, pay for, or begin any work prior to receiving a notice to proceed letter from the City.
- The applicant must complete the approved improvements and submit a complete reimbursement package within 90 days from the commencement of the project. Upon approval of the reimbursement package, city staff will coordinate delivery of a reimbursement grant check to the applicant.
Reimbursement Package
- Copies of all required permits obtained for the installation of the improvements
- Copies of receipts and sufficient supporting documentation showing that all contractors have been paid the total project cost. Documentation must include dated, paid invoices + cancelled checks or bank statements.
- Letter from property owner warranting those improvements have been completed according to requirements of the agreement
- Detailed color photographs of all completed improvements.
To begin applying, please register for an account and begin the application.