Now and then, I hear about a rogue contractor who has scammed a senior out of lots of money without providing the services for which the senior has paid. It’s terrible that this happens to anyone, but it is especially troubling and sad when it happens to a vulnerable senior.
Last year, one of our elderly clients invested a sizeable sum in a bathroom renovation because it was becoming too difficult for her to get in and out of the tub and shower. This woman is a savvy senior, so she wisely sought estimates from various contractors before hiring one she trusted to handle the project.
She told me that she listened carefully to each salesman’s presentation and the answers they provided to her questions before she made her choice.
Many seniors would benefit from a bathroom renovation to make it safer and easier to navigate. However, aging adults need to protect themselves from fraud or scams by doing their due diligence to find a reputable contractor.
January is Bath Safety Month, making it the perfect time to talk about how seniors should choose the best bathroom remodeling contractor for their needs, budgets, and safety.
HGTV suggests, “Before you invite a crew to remodel your bathroom, collect references from other homeowners. You want genuine feedback from real people who have lived through a bathroom renovation with the designer or firm you’re considering. Get the dirty details.”
Here are the HGTV guidelines for hiring a reputable contractor:
- Check with trade groups like the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) for contractors in good standing whom they recommend in your area.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Contractors should carry personal liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage coverage.
- Check the company’s track record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Consult with your local building department to find our licensing requirements in your area (they vary by state and municipality). Ask to see the contractor’s license and make sure it is up to date.
- Ask for a list of references and call at least three of them. Find out what projects the contractor completed in the last year.
- If hiring a general contractor, find out what sub-contractors he or she will hire. Do some research on these contractors to make sure they have a solid reputation with the BBB. You can also ask your local building department for feedback.
- Interview more than one contractor for the job and ask for written proposals and estimates.
- Be sure to review all plans. Make sure they include bath safety options like a low-threshold shower or a walk-in bathtub with non-skid floors, multiple grab bars, and a shower or tub seat, for example.
“Don’t delegate your bathroom renovation to just any pro. Do your homework and perform a thorough check-up on any tradesperson you invite onto the job,” HGTV recommends.
For seniors without the means to improve their bathroom safety with a remodel, I am happy to schedule a FREE Assessment and offer affordable solutions following a Home Safety Check. These may include adding grab bars in the shower and near the commode, a non-skid bathmat inside the tub or shower, a slip-resistant rug outside of the tub or shower, and a raised toilet seat with handrails, just to name a few.
I also employ compassionate caregivers at Home Helpers® who routinely assist senior men and women with personal care and stability in the bathroom. Following our consultation, I can create a customized care plan with a perfectly matched caregiver to carefully assist you or your senior loved one to preserve personal safety and senior independence for as long as possible.
Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors, Veterans, and the differently-abled in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238
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