How does AgeProofPros actually work?

You tell us where you live and what your home needs. We route your request to a CAPS-certified contractor in our network who serves your ZIP. They contact you within hours, do a free assessment (in-home or video), and send you a written, itemized quote. You choose whether to hire them — no obligation, no pressure.

Is AgeProofPros free for homeowners?

Yes. Homeowners never pay AgeProofPros anything. Contractors in our network pay us a referral fee only when they win your business. You evaluate the quote the same way you would any contractor — and if it doesn't work for you, you walk away with no cost and no commitment.

What is CAPS certification and why does it matter?

CAPS — Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist — is the credential issued by the National Association of Home Builders specifically for residential aging-in-place modifications. It covers the building codes, ADA standards, and clinical mobility considerations that a general remodeler will not have. Every contractor we route work to must hold a current CAPS certification.

How fast can a contractor actually come out?

Most network pros respond within a few hours and schedule the free assessment within a few days. If your situation is urgent — hospital discharge, recent fall, in-home rehab ending — say so in the form notes and we flag it as priority for the assigned pro. Emergency-discharge requests are typically scheduled within 24-48 hours.

Will Medicare or insurance pay for aging-in-place home modifications?

Original Medicare typically does not cover home modifications. Many Medicare Advantage plans now offer a one-time annual stipend ($500–$2,500) for safety modifications. Most long-term care insurance policies cover them. VA Aid and Attendance benefits apply for qualifying veterans. Your assigned contractor helps you confirm coverage and submit documentation during the quote process.

How much does grab bar installation cost?

Costs vary by region, wall type, and number of bars, but a single professionally installed code-rated grab bar typically falls in the $150-$400 range when installed by a CAPS-certified pro. Multiple bars in the same visit are usually discounted. AgeProofPros does not set prices — the matched contractor in your area provides a written quote based on your specific situation.

How much does a walk-in shower or accessible bathroom remodel cost?

Range varies widely with finish level and scope. A zero-threshold curbless shower conversion alone is typically $6,000-$15,000; a full accessible bathroom remodel with new flooring, fixtures, and reinforced walls runs $15,000-$45,000+. Your matched CAPS-certified contractor provides an itemized quote against your specific bathroom.

How much does a stair lift cost?

Straight-rail stair lifts typically run $3,000-$5,000 installed; curved-rail and outdoor lifts run $9,000-$15,000+. Reconditioned units and short-term rentals are often available through network installers. The matched pro confirms exact pricing after a free in-home measurement.

How much does a wheelchair ramp cost?

Modular aluminum ramps usually run $100-$250 per linear foot installed; permanent wood or concrete ramps run $1,500-$5,000+ depending on length and complexity. Rental options exist for short-term needs. The matched contractor sizes the ramp to the ADA 1:12 slope standard and provides a written quote.

Can a network contractor work with my parent's occupational therapist?

Yes — that is preferred. If an OT has already done a home assessment, the matched contractor quotes against that report. If not, they can coordinate one as part of the project. Many CAPS-certified pros have ongoing relationships with local OTs and hospital discharge planners.

What if I am a renter, not a homeowner?

Network contractors handle both. For renters, they install removable, no-permanent-damage solutions: tension-mounted rails, freestanding ramps, modular ramps that bolt to existing concrete. Permanent modifications need written landlord approval — the contractor helps you secure it.

What is the difference between aging-in-place modifications and universal design?

Universal design builds accessibility into a home from the start so anyone can use it across life stages. Aging-in-place modifications retrofit an existing home for a specific older resident's current and predictable future needs. Universal design is preventative; aging-in-place is responsive. A CAPS-certified pro can do either — most retrofits use universal-design principles where they make sense.

What does a CAPS-certified contractor's home assessment cover?

A free assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers: entry/exit pathways, bathroom safety (the highest-injury room), kitchen reach and lift, stairs and level changes, lighting and contrast, flooring slip risk, doorway widths, smoke/CO detection, and outdoor walkway condition. The assessment produces a prioritized recommendation list, not a sales pitch.

How is AgeProofPros different from Angi, Thumbtack, or HomeAdvisor?

Angi and Thumbtack sell your contact info to multiple contractors — typically 3-5 — so you end up fielding sales calls for days. AgeProofPros sends your request to exactly one CAPS-certified pro who serves your ZIP. One conversation, one assessment, one written quote. If that pro isn't right for you, we route to a different one. We also require CAPS certification, which general lead networks do not.

What happens if I am not happy with the matched contractor?

Tell us. Submit the form again with 'Contractor complaint' in the notes, or email us. We investigate within 5 business days, route you to a different pro, and remove contractors from the network for confirmed quality or conduct issues. The match is a starting point — you are never locked in.

Does AgeProofPros sell my information to other contractors or marketing lists?

No. Your contact details go to exactly one matched contractor who has been vetted for your project. We do not sell to data brokers, broadcast to multiple contractors, or add you to marketing lists. Full details in our Privacy Policy.

Should I get multiple quotes before hiring a contractor?

For larger projects (over ~$10,000), yes — comparing two or three quotes is standard practice. For a single grab bar or stair-railing replacement, one quote from a vetted CAPS-certified pro is usually sufficient. If you want a second quote, ask us — we will route a second match.

Are network contractors licensed and insured?

Yes. Every contractor in the AgeProofPros network must hold a current state contractor's license (where required), current liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage where applicable. They also pass a background check before joining the network and we re-verify credentials annually.

How do I prepare a home for aging in place after a parent's hospital discharge?

Five-day plan: (1) Clear pathways and remove loose rugs. (2) Install temporary night lighting along bathroom and bedroom routes. (3) Stage a commode and shower chair if mobility is reduced. (4) Schedule a CAPS-certified contractor for a same-week assessment (flag urgency in your AgeProofPros form). (5) Begin grab bar and ramp installation while OT recommendations are still fresh. Read our full hospital-discharge guide for the detailed checklist.

What home modifications most reduce fall risk for seniors?

CDC and NIH research consistently identify five highest-impact modifications: (1) grab bars anchored to studs in bathrooms, (2) improved task and pathway lighting, (3) removal of trip hazards (loose rugs, raised thresholds), (4) handrails on both sides of every stairway, and (5) zero-threshold or curbless showers. Together these address roughly 60-70% of preventable senior in-home fall mechanisms.

Can the same contractor handle multiple modifications in one project?

Yes — and bundling is typically cheaper than separate visits. A whole-home aging-in-place retrofit coordinates bathrooms, lighting, doorway widening, ramps, and reinforced walls in a single project under one CAPS-certified design lead. Most network pros also handle smaller bundles (e.g., grab bars + improved lighting + threshold replacement).

How long does aging-in-place certification (CAPS) last?

CAPS is issued by NAHB with a three-year renewal cycle that requires continuing-education credits. We re-verify every network contractor's CAPS status annually so homeowners can trust the credential is current — not expired and unverified.

Do you serve rural areas?

Yes — coverage is by ZIP, and rural ZIPs are routed to the nearest qualified CAPS-certified pro. Response time may be slightly longer in remote areas. Submit the form and we will tell you up front if a match exists in your area before we route the request.

Contractor greeting homeowner at front door

CAPS-certified contractors only

Exclusive aging-in-place leads in Pittsburgh, PA.

We connect Pittsburgh-area homeowners with one CAPS-certified pro per ZIP, not five. No bidding wars, no shared inboxes, no pay-for-junk-leads. Free 60-day trial; you pay only when you close work.

Exclusive routing. One match per ZIP. Your phone doesn't blow up with competitors.

Pay on close, not on click. $0 for dead leads, ghosted leads, or homeowners that decide not to proceed.

Pre-qualified by phone. Every lead is screened by us before it reaches you.

Cancel anytime. 60-day trial is a handshake, not a contract.

Two CAPS-certified contractors arriving for an aging-in-place assessment at a Pittsburgh row-house porch with a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the entry

Built for the way you actually win this work.

Aging-in-place jobs close on trust, not on price. The first five minutes at the front door (the assessment, the questions you ask, the dignity you show) decide whether a family hires you or keeps shopping. Our network only routes to contractors who treat it that way.

Every match is a CAPS-certified pro a family chose to invite in. One contractor per ZIP, screened in advance, ready to schedule a free assessment within 24 hours.

How the partner program works

Days 1–60

Free trial

• $0 setup, $0 monthly, $0 per lead delivered
• You only pay when you close a job
• $300 flat or 5% of contract value, whichever is greater
• Cancel any time. No fees on dead leads.

Day 61+

Two pricing options

Pay-per-close: $400 flat or 6% of contract (greater of the two). Zero risk on dead leads.
Pay-per-lead exclusive: $75 per qualified lead, exclusive to your ZIP coverage. Cap 8/month.
Switch monthly. Most partners pick pay-per-close. It aligns our incentives with yours.

Contractor performing an in-home aging-in-place assessment with a homeowner

CAPS-certified contractor measuring a tub-to-shower conversion during an in-home aging-in-place assessment

What we expect from network contractors

The assessment is the moment the job is won or lost. Six non-negotiables for every CAPS pro we route to.

Active CAPS certification. Verified annually with NAHB. Non-negotiable.
Licensed and insured. State contractor license + general liability + workers' comp where applicable.
24-hour first contact. Same-day for hospital-discharge cases (we flag these).
Free assessment, written quote. Itemized written estimate within 5 business days of assessment.
Honest close reporting. Tell us whether a lead closed, went cold, or was out of scope. We use this to improve match quality.
No upsells, no surprises. Change orders only with written homeowner approval.

Skilled contractor installing a curbless walk-in shower with Schluter Kerdi waterproofing

CAPS certification is required to enroll.

We only route homeowners to contractors who hold an active Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credential from the NAHB. If you're not certified yet, read the next section. We're happy to onboard you once you've completed the program.

How to get CAPS-certified

CAPS is the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) designation for contractors who specialize in aging-in-place modifications. It signals to homeowners (and to discharge planners, OTs, and eldercare attorneys) that you actually know the technical and human side of this work.

CAPS-certified contractor laying tile in a barrier-free walk-in shower retrofit, with professional tools and a folding shower seat installed

This is the work itself.

Barrier-free walk-in showers. Curbless thresholds. Folding shower seats anchored to studs. ANSI A1264 grab bars at proper load. ADA 1:12 ramp slopes. Wider doorways. The CAPS curriculum exists so this gets built right the first time, to standards an OT or discharge planner would sign off on.

If this is what you already do, we want you in the network. If it's where you want to grow, the certification path below is your on-ramp.

Step 1

Complete 3 required courses

Marketing and Communication Strategies (CAPS I), Design Concepts (CAPS II), Details and Solutions (CAPS III). All taught by NAHB-approved instructors. Available online or in-person.

Step 2

Pass the courses + agree to code of ethics

Each course ends in a brief assessment. After all three plus the NAHB code-of-ethics commitment, you're designated. Typical total cost: $700–$1,200 depending on provider.

Step 3

Maintain with 12 hours of CE every 3 years

Continuing-education credits keep the designation active. We verify renewal status annually before continuing to route leads.

Getting started

• NAHB CAPS designation page (official program overview, course list, and costs).
• Find a course to search NAHB's course catalog by location and format (online or in-person).
• Apply below regardless of your current status. We'll follow up with a 15-minute call, walk you through the partner program, and stay in touch through your certification timeline if you're not certified yet.

Apply to join the network →

Common questions

What's the catch?

No catch. We make money when you make money. The trial costs you nothing because the risk is on us. We're investing in marketing to drive leads to you. If our leads suck or don't close, you walk away clean and we've wasted our own time, not yours.

How many leads should I expect?

Honest answer: we're early. Pittsburgh, PA is our first metro. Realistically 2–8 leads in the first 60 days as we ramp marketing in your area. The point of the trial is that you commit nothing. You find out before paying anything.

What if I already use Angi, Thumbtack, or HomeAdvisor?

Most of our partners do too. We're additive, not replacement. Angi/Thumbtack leads are shared and most aren't aging-in-place at all. Try 60 days free and compare close rates side-by-side.

Do you take a cut of change orders or future work?

No. Our fee is on the initial project we matched you to. If the homeowner hires you for unrelated work later, or refers you to their neighbor, that's yours, 100%.

What if my CAPS certification is lapsed?

We can't route leads until it's active again. The whole pitch to homeowners depends on real, current CAPS status. Apply anyway. We'll talk through your renewal timeline and reconnect when you're back in good standing.

Where else are you active besides Pittsburgh, PA?

Right now, just Pittsburgh, PA. We're launching one metro at a time so every match is a CAPS-certified pro we've personally vetted. Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Columbus are next in the pipeline. If you serve those metros and want to be the first partner in your city, apply below and tell us in the notes.