How to Find a CAPS-Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

What CAPS actually means

CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. The designation is administered by the National Association of Home Builders.¹

To earn the designation, a contractor completes a 3-course program covering:

• The marketplace of seniors and their families
• Strategies and techniques for senior home modification
• Customer service and CAPS business management

The certification is renewable every 3 years with continuing education.

CAPS does not replace state contractor licensing. A CAPS contractor is also a state-licensed remodeling contractor, plumber, or builder. The CAPS adds expertise in senior-specific modifications on top of the core licensure.

What a CAPS evaluation includes

A standard CAPS home evaluation runs 60-90 minutes and covers:

• Entry and approach: exterior steps, walkway slope, lighting, mailbox reach.
• Bathroom assessment: tub or shower entry height, grab bar opportunities, lighting, slip resistance, toilet height.
• Kitchen: counter heights, cabinet reach, appliance accessibility.
• Bedroom and access path: bed height, path width to bathroom, nightlight coverage.
• Stairs and transitions: railing on both sides, tread depth, threshold heights, lighting.
• Whole-house systems: flooring transitions, doorway widths, smoke alarm placement.

The deliverable is a written report with prioritized recommendations and rough cost estimates. A good CAPS evaluation reads like a contractor’s punch list, not a marketing pitch.

How to find one

Step 1: Use the NAHB directory

Go to nahb.org and search the member directory by ZIP code. Filter for the CAPS designation. Most metropolitan areas have 5-50 CAPS-certified contractors.¹

Step 2: Verify state licensing

Look up each candidate on your state’s contractor licensing board. Verify:

• The license is active (not expired or suspended).
• No recent complaints or disciplinary actions.
• The license type matches the work you need (general remodeling, plumbing, etc.).

Step 3: Check independent reviews

Search the contractor’s name on Angi, Houzz, BBB, and Google Reviews. Look for:

• Recent reviews (within 12 months).
• A pattern, not a single great or terrible review.
• Specific descriptions of the work scope (“they installed a walk-in tub” beats “great service”).

Step 4: Interview two or three candidates

Call your top 2-3 candidates. Ask:

• “What’s a recent senior bathroom project you completed and what did it cost?”
• “Do you pull the permit, or does the homeowner?”
• “Are you available for in-home evaluation? What does it cost?”
• “Do you provide a written, itemized contract before any work starts?”

The contractor’s answers tell you a lot. Vague answers, deflections, or pressure to “just commit” are red flags.

What to ask in the evaluation

When the CAPS specialist visits:

• “What are the three highest-priority changes for this user?”, the answer should be specific to the home you’re in, not generic.
• “Which changes are DIY-friendly and which need a contractor?”, a good CAPS specialist tells you what NOT to hire them for.
• “What’s the rough cost range for the recommended work?”, not a quote, but a budget anchor.
• “What are the code or permit requirements in this jurisdiction?”, should be specific to your city or county.
• “Do you recommend an OT evaluation in parallel?”, for mobility-complex users, the right answer is yes.

Costs of a CAPS evaluation

Typical 2026 costs:

• Evaluation only: $150-$400 for 60-90 minutes plus written report.
• Evaluation credit toward project: most CAPS contractors credit the evaluation fee toward the cost of any project they end up doing.
• Hourly project labor: $75-$150 per hour for the work itself, similar to other licensed remodelers.

The evaluation is usually money well spent. For a $10,000 walk-in tub project, a $300 evaluation that catches a drain-relocation issue saves $1,500+. The evaluation fee pays for itself many times over on most projects over $5,000.

When CAPS isn’t enough

CAPS evaluates the home. It doesn’t evaluate the user. For users with complex mobility profiles, post-stroke, advanced Parkinson’s, severe dementia, recent hip replacement, get an occupational therapist evaluation in parallel.

OT evaluations:

• Cost similar to CAPS ($100-$300 typically).
• Take 60-90 minutes, often in the home.
• Focus on the user’s specific function, not the building.
• Produce recommendations the CAPS specialist can implement.

The combination. OT for the user, CAPS for the home, is the gold standard for any project over $10,000.

Geographic availability

CAPS certification is concentrated in metro areas. Rural areas may have few or no CAPS-certified contractors within 50 miles. In those cases:

• Use a non-CAPS state-licensed remodeling contractor with strong references.
• Ask whether they’ve done senior bathroom work specifically.
• Verify they understand ANSI A117.1 grab bar mounting standards.
• Get an OT evaluation to compensate for the missing CAPS expertise on the user side.

What to do next

If you’re planning a project over $5,000: search the NAHB directory now, schedule an evaluation in 2-3 weeks.

If you’re planning a project under $5,000: a CAPS evaluation is helpful but optional. Use the bathroom safety plan as your DIY framework.

If you’ve already had a contractor quote you and want a sanity check: hire a CAPS specialist for a 30-minute review of the quote, not a full evaluation. Should run $50-$150 and may save you thousands.

For broader context, see how to make your bathroom safer for aging parents and the aging-in-place pillar.