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CAPS Designation All Over National News, CBS, CNN
 The CBS Evening News recently featured a story about the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation and the benefits the designation brings to consumers. So did USA Today ― on the front page.
CAPS stories also have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Time magazine and on CNN American Morning.
Why all the news coverage?
That’s simple. The CAPS designation — and its companion Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) designation ― provide the right skill sets for today’s housing market.
The CAPS designation program, in particular, teaches remodelers the customer service, business management and technical skills to meet the needs of, and effectively compete in, the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry — those 50 and older who wish to remain in their homes.
The CAPS program was developed by NAHB’s Remodelors™ Council in collaboration with AARP and others to provide comprehensive, practical, market-specific information about how to work with older and maturing adults who want to remodel their homes so they can age in place.
The designation enables clients to identify and choose professionals who have the training, practical experience and in-depth knowledge to address their particular needs and concerns.
“Being able to put CAPS in my marketing information increases the perceived and actual benefit to the client,” said Kathy Barry, CAPS, of Home Life Interiors in Kentwood, Mich. “It helps differentiate me from my competition.
“Just last month a new client mentioned that she chose me because of my CAPS designation. Her husband has MS,” Barry noted.
CGR Means Business and Professionalism
The CGR designation was created to emphasize the business management skills needed to run a remodeling company. The designation helps consumers identify those who exemplify professionalism in the industry and enables CGR designees to gain recognition as industry leaders and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
“My designations help me every single day,” said Beverly Koehn, GMB, CAPS, president of Beverly Koehn & Associates, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. “They keep me abreast of what’s happening in the housing industry. The industry changes so rapidly, it’s all you can do just to keep up with it. By being an instructor and involved with designations on a constant basis, I feel like I’m always up to date on what’s happening.”
Continuing Education Keeps You Ahead of the Pack
As the remodeling industry continues to evolve, so does the industry’s continuing education requirements.
CAPS and CGR professionals are required to earn 12 hours of continuing education credit every three years. The credits can be earned through class time, at trade show seminars or through community service.
The recent flurry of national news coverage has increased consumer awareness of the benefits of hiring a remodeler who holds an NAHB designation, and that makes this an excellent time to begin or renew your NAHB designation program.
For more information about CAPS and CGR, visit www.nahb.org/remodelors.
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