The connection you have to your home is very personal, especially if you’ve lived in the same home for several years. It’s where countless memories have been made while raising children, working in the garden or celebrating birthdays and holidays.
It’s no wonder nearly 90 percent of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible, and 80 percent believe their current residence is where they will always live, according to surveys from AARP.
A large wave of aging Boomers are entering this “aging-in-place” phase of homeownership, generating strong demand for remodelers who specialize in making home modifications that create safer, more convenient living spaces. But many home owners aren’t sure where to find the most qualified person for the job.
Professionals with the CAPS designation are helping home owners throughout Asheville identify practical and comprehensive aging-in-place solutions. Having been trained in the unique needs of older adults, CAPS remodelers and builders are well versed in a wide variety of techniques to enhance a home’s aesthetics, livability and value.
Some of the most common services CAPS designees provide to their clients include widening doors and hallways, installing brighter lighting, adding railings or grab bars to prevent falls, changing floor coverings to add traction to slippery surfaces, and installing ease-of-reach systems. These improvements, among many others, are often the difference makers that allow home owners to maintain their independence and stay in their current homes.
What makes the CAPS program even more impressive is that its graduates pledge to uphold a strict code of ethics, indicating they operate their business at only the highest level of professionalism. Additionally, the designation means they have committed to build upon their knowledge of the latest aging-in-place strategies by attending continuing education programs. They are also consistently engaged in a variety of community service activities.
Nearly 3,400 remodelers and home builders hold this esteemed designation, including CAPS builders and remodelers here in Asheville. Additionally, there are several other honorable designations that many of our local builders have achieved to better serve their clients. A few of these distinctions include:
- The Certified Green Professional (CGP) – those who incorporate eco-friendly building principles into their work, without driving up the cost of construction.
- The Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) or Remodeler (CGR) – those who have several years of industry experience and possess advanced skills not only as a talented home builder or remodeler, but also as a trusted business manager.
- The Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) – those who work in the affordable housing industry and educate others on the complex regulations of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
If you would like to find a builder in your area with the CAPS designation or any of the other highly regarded designations for builders, visit the online directory of members for the Asheville HBA. You can also search an online directory at nahb.org.
