During a break, I talked to an architect who does a lot of home modification design. I asked if it would be helpful to architects like her if there was an association or group of contractors that identified themselves as homecare renovators. She said, “Absolutely, it would be much better if there were contractors dedicated to this segment of the industry.”

I wondered why a regular contractor wouldn’t be good enough. The changes necessary for accessibility or other disability or eldercare renovations don’t seem to be that different from the work renovators do now, right?

The difference she said, is in the details and the emphasis on each installation. When they use a regular contractor, they have to go through an education process with them. They have to point out what is important and what isn’t when it comes to special installations. Contractors experienced in accessibility installations don’t need as much hand holding and as a result save them money. When they can find a guy with this experience, their drawings don’t have to be as detailed, and they don’t have to charge as much to the client for supervision.

If they could have that kind of organization, they would be very motivated to use the contractors in that group.

Score one for creating a Homecare Renovators Association.