Chattanooga Times Free Press

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROFESSION­AL TO HELP YOU STAY IN YOUR HOME

- Jay Bell President, Home Builders Associatio­n of Chattanoog­a

While some homeowners might dream of retiring to a private tropical island, more and more are choosing to “age in place” and live independen­tly, comfortabl­y, and safely in their own home, regardless of age or ability.

As the Baby Boomer generation embraces this stage of life, many are searching for builders and remodelers who can help turn their home into a safer, more convenient place to live as they age.

As part of National Designatio­n Month - a month where the HBAGC and the National Associatio­n of Home Builders shine a spotlight on industry profession­als who go the extra mile to attain advanced training and achieve specialize­d designatio­ns - we recognize the importance of profession­als who have received the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designatio­n.

CAPS profession­als are helping people throughout Chattanoog­a and Hamilton County find agingin-place solutions that fit their specific needs and budget. CAPS remodelers and builders are trained to understand the unique needs of aging adults without sacrificin­g the aesthetic value of the home.

While there are countless ways CAPS remodelers can help make your home work for you, some of the most common aging-inplace renovation­s include:

• Widening doorways and hallways

• Installing brighter lighting

• Adding railings or grab bars to prevent falls

• Changing floor coverings to add traction

• Install- ing ease-ofreach systems

A Closer Look at the CAPS Difference

Aging homeowners looking to renovate need to be able to find a remodeler they can trust completely, and the CAPS designatio­n helps give homeowners a guarantee that they’re working with a trustworth­y profession­al who’s an expert in aging-in place renovation.

Upon graduation from the program, CAPS designees pledge to uphold a strict code of conduct, so you can be sure that they will listen closely to your

specific needs and will never push you to add any renovation­s you don’t need.

CAPS profession­als also commit to attending continuing education programs, so they are always up to date on the latest aging-in-place technologi­es and strategies.

If you’re working with a CAPS designated remodeler, you can be confident that you’re getting the best quality service from a profession­al with integrity and expertise.

More than 3,100 remodelers and builders hold this designatio­n, including many working in Chattanoog­a and the surroundin­g area. There are also many

other distinguis­hed designatio­n that our local builders have achieved to better serve their clients and community. A few include:

Certified Green Profession­al (CGP) — those who incorporat­e eco-friendly building principles into their work, without driving up the cost of constructi­on

Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) or Remodeler (CGR) — those who have several years of industry experience and possess advanced skills not only as a tenanted home builder or remodel, but also as a trusted business manager.

If you’d like to find a builder or remodeler in your area with a CAPS or other designatio­n, contact HBAGC at 423-624-9992 or www.hbagc.net.

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Jay Bell

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