You might find that you need to build an accessible home for any number of reasons. Perhaps you’re suffering from a recent accident or illness that has left you in need of a wheelchair. Maybe you’ve been using a wheelchair for years and are tired of trying to navigate through a home that doesn’t accommodate your needs. Or maybe you’re making plans to age gracefully in your home.
Whatever your reason, it’s essential to know that many traditional home builders are inexperienced or don’t consider key factors that make a home wheelchair friendly. Presented by Home Lift Store, consider the following advice and information that can ensure your home is built in a way that helps you live safely and comfortably.
Hiring a Home Builder
First, you need to find a qualified, trustworthy home builder like Dornford Building Group, who has experience in building accessible homes. Choosing the wrong builder will make the entire process more stressful and reduce the likelihood of you getting the home that you need.
The most efficient way to find reliable home builders is to look online. The National Association of Home Builders suggests focusing on finding one with lots of experience and good customer reviews, and don’t settle on the first one you come across. Try to interview several builders before you settle on someone.
Before choosing a builder, consider your budget and how to pay for the build-out. Among financing options—including going through a traditional lender and getting an FHA loan—is a construction-to-permanent loan, where lenders pay the builder as the work is completed. This type of special FHA loan, called a 203k, requires a longer application process but is well worthwhile. In this case, the lender will give you the money for the renovation on top of the loan for the purchase. At the time of completion, the cost is converted into a mortgage.
Up front, the home builder should be apprised of the accessibility-centred design features. When choosing such features, look forward to a few years when you may want to sell your home, designing with potential buyers in mind. For instance, you may want to add an accessible home office, but be sure to keep in mind other office features buyers might look for. Make sure your custom home meets your needs today and the needs of a larger pool of buyers later.
The Interior
Most of the customization of your home will happen on the inside, and it all comes down to layout. For example, a single-floor layout is ideal, and you will need to make sure all the doorways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair (more than 32 inches wide), according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as the hallways (ideally 36-48 inches or wider). Your flooring should be slip-resistant, durable, and easy to maintain, which makes laminate, vinyl, low-pile carpet, and ceramic tile all optimal choices. And the use of rugs should be limited.
If you decide on a multi-floor home plan, you will need to design around the placement and type of lift system you plan on using. Regardless of the design you choose, be sure the work is completed by professional lift installers. Their work is vital to a safe and effective residence.
Additionally, you will want to make sure there is access to adequate lighting in every space of your home. Light switches should be about 36 inches off the ground (no higher than 43 inches), and no switches should be placed behind a counter. Moreover, all countertops, vanities, sinks, faucets, and furniture should be at safe, comfortable heights for wheelchair use.
The Exterior
When it comes to the outside, you will need to consider entry points. More than likely you will need some form of ramp or another. If you have steps at your door, you will need to put in a freestanding ramp to make it easy and safe for you to enter and leave your home. Wood and aluminium are the two most popular types of freestanding ramps, both of which have pros and cons. You will also need to have smaller ramps installed over each threshold inside the home.
Along with installing the proper ramps, you will want to make sure that you can access your garage, outbuilding, outdoor living area, and/or vehicle. Concrete and asphalt are ideal materials for wheelchair use; if you can’t budget for a full driveway or outdoor living area, at least try to put in a small concrete or asphalt area in front of your garage and/or outbuilding.
Having a custom-built home by a qualified builder like Dornford Building Group is a great way to get a home that meets all your needs. Once you set a budget after choosing your builder, floor layout, and design features, and then sign on to your best financing option, all that’s left is completion day when you can move in.
Written by: Sarah Velasquez