With spring in the air and a change in seasons, you may be thinking about making a change at your home. Along with this thought process comes several questions whose answers are not always the easiest to find. For example, how do you find a remodel professional that are trained in green building or accessibility concerns? Who do you call or where do you start the search process for a trained professional? First you need to visit www.northerncoloradoremodelers.com, the newly created website for the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers of Northern Colorado. This site was created to help people understand the remodeling process and provide a tool to help find a local and professional remodel contractor. Throughout this list of members, you will find that several have designations behind their name. Hopefully, the following will explain what each of those titles mean (other than alphabet soup).
To start with, what does Certified Graduate Remodeler or CGR mean? The CGR designation indicates that a remodeler has completed the requirements of the CGR professional designation program, which includes educational credits, prescribed business standards, and experience. To maintain the CGR designation, contractors must complete a continuing education requirement every three years. These requirements include attending remodeling or business-related seminars, trade shows and education programs. Alternatively, a contractor must obtain another professional designation within the three-year period. When you hire a CGR professional, you can be assured that they meet the NAHB standards of business practice, have a proven track record of successfully completing projects, have completed relevant educational requirements, and pledge to uphold the CGR Code of Ethics. If nothing else, you know that a CGR professional has knowledge in the remodeling industry and will be able to address any questions or concerns your project may face before you start the project.
The second designation you’ll come across is CAPS, or Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. A CAPS professional’s goals are to provide a safe and accessible home for all abilities and ages of life. They are trained in unique needs of the senior adult population, in home modifications for individuals that don’t want to leave their existing home as they age. These contractors perform common remodeling projects, yet they have the ability to find solutions to common barriers for people with limited abilities.
You can also think of a CAPS professional as a service provider rather than a products provider. Most Americans over the age of 55 would like to continue to live in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years. With the CAPS designation becoming more prevalent, you’ll also find designers, architects, and health care consultants going through the same training process as remodeling contractors. Part of the training process includes modifications to existing showers and baths (providing grab bars or changing the countertop height) to accommodate the need for accessibility. The CAPS professional can perform simple tasks, or help you design a home from scratch to make sure the universal design is considered at in every aspect of your project. Having a CAPS professional on your design team allows you to rest assure that the strategies for universal designs are met, techniques in the building process go over and above code practice, building aesthetics are enriching and not institutionalized, and that you to maintain a barrier free living environment. How should I modify my home to make it more comfortable? Is there a way to make my home more accessible or more maneuverable? A CAPS professional is the best choice for you if you’re asking about your remodeling project.
The third and final designation is becoming the fastest growing title; CGP or Certified Green Professional. A CGP professional has taken courses from the University of Housing and has at least two years in the building profession. The training teaches builders and remodelers alike the need to consider energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, use of sustainable or recycled products, and indoor air quality considerations in the design process. A CGP professional always staying up to date with the ever changing political climate and making sure consumers are aware of rebate programs or tax incentives that are available through local, state, and national government programs. These professionals also understand the importance of community involvement and the need to reduce waste in the local landfills. The goals can be accomplished by understanding building methods that require less materials, generating less waste, incorporating green practices into development plans, provide recycling for onsite materials, and most importantly, providing knowledge about products that consume less energy. If you would like to begin a green project, consider a CGP professional.
In closing, these designations are important for professionals to help distinguish themselves from other builders and remodelers. Please visit our website for a list of professional contractors located in Northern Colorado who understand the value of continuing education and are ready to do their best job for you. May you have success with your building project this year? Hopefully this has helped clear up any alphabet soup confusion when it comes to selecting a contractor.
Jeffrey J. Schneider, CAPS, CGR, CGP
Jeffrey Schneider is President of Armstead Construction, a professional remodeling company located in Fort Collins Colorado. Jeff is also past-president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado and a past Chairman of the NAHB Remodelers of Northern Colorado.