How CAPS Helps Builders and Designers Win More Aging-in-Place Projects

Fritzi Gros-Daillon
Apr 22
3 min read

Updated: Nov 4

As more older adults choose to stay in their homes rather than move into assisted living, demand is surging for professionals who can create spaces that are safe, accessible, and stylish.

Builders and designers who understand aging-in-place design principles are in high demand - and earning the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) certification can help you rise to the top.

If you’re a contractor, remodeler, interior designer, or architect, here’s how CAPS training can help you win more projects, deliver better results, and grow your reputation in this expanding market.

Clients Are Looking for Experts - CAPS Sets You Apart

Homeowners and adult children aren’t just searching for contractors. They’re looking for someone who understands their long-term needs—someone who knows:

Why a lever handle is better than a round knob
How to widen doorways without compromising aesthetics
Which lighting updates reduce nighttime fall risk

The CAPS certification for builders and designers gives you that expertise—and the confidence to talk about it clearly and professionally.

“Being CAPS-certified has opened doors to new clients I never would have reached before. It’s now a key part of my brand.” - Designer & CAPS Graduate

Bid on Bigger Projects with Aging-in-Place Requirements

As universal design and accessibility become standard in both remodeling and new construction, more RFPs (requests for proposals) are requiring contractors who demonstrate aging-in-place knowledge.

Your CAPS credential instantly communicates that qualification and gives you the framework and vocabulary to bid confidently.

Whether it’s a small bathroom modification or a full-home accessibility conversion, you’ll know how to identify safety priorities, recommend compliant solutions, and exceed client expectations.

Blend Function and Style - Not Just Code Compliance

CAPS training goes beyond minimum accessibility standards. You’ll learn to integrate safety and functionality without sacrificing design or comfort.

In this course, you’ll discover:

How to include grab bars, flooring, and lighting that complement interior style
Which materials improve slip resistance and visual appeal
How to align your design with universal-design best practices and modern aesthetics

For designers especially, CAPS offers the tools to transform accessible spaces into intentional, beautiful, and livable designs—never clinical or institutional.

Offer Specialized Consults as a Stand-Alone Service

CAPS doesn’t just enhance your projects—it expands your business model.

Many builders and designers now offer paid home-safety consultations as a separate service.

You’ll learn to:

Walk through a client’s home and identify potential risks
Recommend and prioritize specific modifications
Build trust with older clients and their families

This consultative approach creates meaningful relationships that often lead to larger renovation contracts.

Market Yourself with a Niche That’s Only Growing

General remodeling is competitive. Aging-in-place remodeling is transformational—and it’s growing fast.

By 2030, one in five Americans will be over age 65
Nearly 90 % of them want to stay in their homes
Yet most existing homes aren’t designed for aging residents

Builders, designers, and remodelers who position themselves now as aging-in-place experts will become the go-to professionals for the next decade.

Add home-safety consultations as a new revenue stream The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist program helps you stand out in today’s competitive remodeling market and future-proof your business.

Ready to Level Up? Learn CAPS Online with Household Guardians

At Household Guardians, CAPS training is taught live online by Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Master Educator and 2019 NAHB Educator of the Year and nationally recognized expert in home-safety and aging-in-place education.

Our interactive Zoom courses combine real-world examples, hands-on design discussions, and plenty of Q&A—so you finish with practical tools you can use immediately.

Learn from the best. Gain real tools. Attract better clients.

👉 Register now for CAPS training

Questions? Email fritzi@householdguardians.com

The aging-in-place market is expanding fast, and clients are looking for specialists they can trust. With CAPS certification, builders and designers don’t just meet the moment—they lead it.

Invest in your expertise today, and start building homes that are safe, accessible, and designed for life.