Remodel Your Home

Certifiable Remodeling

When you are looking for a remodeler to update or upgrade a part of your home (or even your entire home) how do you know the remodeler you have chosen is qualified o do the work you want done? What qualifications do ou look for?

Nothing will ever beat the information you get from references and real, tangible examples of past work. This is the sure fire way to “certify” the remodeler you choose to enter your home.  Although there are other avenues to take to ensure a remodeler is certified. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has an extensive list of classes and designations specifically for the remodeling segment of the home building industry, which provide sremodelers with an excellent resource for continuing education and at the same time offers consumers a way to guarantee their knowledge base. Below is a list of their remodeling specific designations. This list will help you stay on top of the educational element in the remodeling industry, while also being savvy to the three-letter acronyms your remodeler has printed after his name on his business card!

Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR)*

The Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) designation lets the consumer know that a remodeler has a certain level of education, experience and business standards knowledge. If your remodeler has the CGR designation beside their name, you can rest easy knowing that he has invested in his profession by seeking to further his education. Also, to keep the designation, the certified remodeler must complete a certain amount of educational requirements every three years, which can include attending remodeling or business-related seminars, trade shows and educational programs.

Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)*

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation gives the graduated remodeler the technical, business manage- ment and customer service skills needed to address consumer concerns about home modifications for the aging population in today’s market. The aging-in-place, (i.e. folks that are over 50) have specific needs that should be addressed when doing any building or remodeling. A CAPS certified remodeler or builder is certified in the knowledge of how to address those needs.

Certified Green Professional (CGP)*

The Certified Green Professional designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes – without driving up the cost of construction. The classwork required to achieve the designation imparts the necessary information regarding green building methods

Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR)*

The Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR) allows CGRs to attain further recognition for educational excellence and longevity in the remodeling industry. This program is designed to be the master level of the current CGR designation. Qualifications include 15 years of remodeling experience, completion of five required courses and having an active CGR for nine years or active Certfied Remodeler from the National Association Remodeling Industry for 10 years.

Master Certified Green Professional (Master CGP)*

Exclusively for experienced builders and remodelers, the Master Certified Green Professional (Master CGP) designation comprises a more in-depth study of green building science and methods. The courses required for the designation cover topics like building science techniques, the high-performance home and marketing strategies for selling green.

*All courses are certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). To verify if your contractor is certified, visit NAHB.org and navigate to the Find Builders, Remodelers, & Related Providers page under the Tools tab.