Home Renovations: Hiring a Contractor

For some empty nesters, it may be time to decide whether or not to move into a smaller place, a one-level house or one with a bedroom on the main floor. A growing number of real estate agencies encourage realtors to learn about the housing preferences of older Americans. The National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development provide relevant information about the growing market of older Americans and about housing options for seniors.

If your parents prefer modifying their existing home, here are some steps to consider when selecting a contractor:

1. Collect names from family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues, or from ads and flyers.

2. Call each home maintenance company or independent contractor to assess who fits your needs.

3. Ask if they are licensed in the state where your parents live. Do not use one who isn't.

4. Describe the work you would like completed.

5. Get a tentative estimate by phone, either per hour or per job. You can determine if the charge is too high.

6. Ask for two or three references.

7. Check with the Better Business Bureau, to make sure no complaints are filed against them.

8. If they come for an estimate visit, be sure to get a written estimate that clearly outlines the services they will provide and the cost. Clarify whether they or you are responsible for buying the parts and fixtures. You and your parents may want to choose your owe fixture styles.

9. Ask as many questions as you need to get a sense if the contractor is a right for the job. A good contractor should be able to offer specific advice about whether modifications will decrease the value of the home.

There are also home services, which specialize in senior home modification. For example, the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification , a non-profit organization that promotes aging-in-place and independent living for all ages and abilities, provides information and assistance with home modification. Umbrella Senior Home Services, Ltd., a not-for-profit program that helps Older Americans remain in their own homes, provides a 24-hour-a-day service line and handyman services to members' homes. If there is an emergency, a handyman arrives within an hour. You may also want to contact the aging services division of your parents' city or county government, or the Department of Heath & Human Services' Agency on Aging for related resources and information.