Introduction Older Homeowners Home Improvement Predatory Practices Impact of the Problem State Oversight of Home Improvement Contractors Policy Options for Improved Consumer Protection Footnotes Introduction Home improvement is important for preserving both the safety and value of a homeowner's property. 1 Improvements can increase a home's value and allow owners to adapt their home to meet their changing needs and age in place.
Home improvement is also big business.
Common home improvements needed by older homeowners included replacing doors and windows, roof repairs, and repairs to driveways. After age 54, the amount spent on annual home repairs declined consistently. While most contracted home repairs are completed professionally and satisfactorily, tens of thousands of homeowners annually receive inadequate, unprofessional, or fraudulent home repair work. 5 Older Homeowners Older homeowners have a greater need for hiring home improvement contractors than younger homeowners for two reasons. First, persons 65 and older have higher rates of homeownership, and they tend to own older homes more likely to need repair.