As people age, they find it difficult to perform regular activities with ease. Some may even be limited to a wheelchair, while others may be immobilized due to chronic illness. As a result, their mobility decreases, making home navigation challenging.
However, aging-in-place remodeling allows seniors to keep their freedom and move at ease in the rooms in their homes.
Aging-in-place is the trend of modifying a family home to meet mobility changes. It allows homeowners to reside in their homes as they age without needing to leave their community or sell their homes, so they can enjoy an increased quality of life.
Plus, aging-in-place remodeling is a cost-effective solution. It provides stability and assurance, improving the senior’s quality of life.
Who Requires Aging-in-Place Remodeling?
Aging-in-place remodeling can be useful for anyone with mobility or accessibility problems. For instance, seniors with mobility disabilities or chronic illnesses typically need aging-in-place measures, so their homes can stay accessible to them, and they can feel free to move about with ease.
And who are considered seniors, exactly?
These aging older adults require modifications to move around their homes. In fact, of the 63% of seniors who own their home, about a third have shown the need for aging-in-place modifications. And their needs are slowly being met.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data shows that aging-in-place remodeling is a consistently growing trend. It has risen from 60% in 2004 to 77% in 2019.
Features of Aging-in-Place Remodeling
Modern, black and white handicap bathroom with stainless grab bars
The most popular aging-in-place remodels are isolated upgrades to the entire home. However, common remodeling requests include installing:
- Curbless showers
- Slip-free flooring
- Grab bars
- Widened doorways for wheelchair access
According to the NAHB, extended aging-in-place remodeling includes:
- Installing hardware to windows and doors
- Putting in place doors with at least 32 inches of clearance
- Ensuring sufficient turn space in bathrooms
- Removing step-downs on the main floor
- Installing cabinetry several inches lower than standard
- Using lever handles
- Integrating smart home technology, such as automatic door locks
- Expanding countertop space to help individuals with rigid backs
- Putting non-slip floors in wet areas like bathrooms and beside pools
- Utilizing open shelves for often-used items
Typically, aging-in-place remodeling takes place on the first or ground floor of a house, and it ensures that floor has everything a senior might need, including a bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom.
Even if you can’t modify the main floor of your home, it’s a good idea to consider remodeling it significantly.
Cost of Aging-in-Place Remodeling
Costs vary based on how long modifications take, and the timeline for aging-in-place remodeling differs widely. Some modifications can be completed in days, while others can take months. The price also depends on the current state of your house.
To clarify, here’s an example.
If you want to install non-skid tiles, grab bars, and other safety features in your bathroom, you may have to spend upwards of $10,000.
Here’s a breakdown of the improvements you’d need to make:
- Walk-in shower or tub – $1,500 to $7,000 (higher range for tubs)
- Grab bars – $50 to $100 for each bar
- Touchless faucets – $150 to $300+
- Anti-slip flooring – $1 to $4 per square foot of anti-slip flooring
That price can increase, too, if your space needs an extensive renovation to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, new flooring, and wider doorways.
Looking at a kitchen remodel? That can cost $15,000, at minimum.
With those figures in mind, an aging-in-place remodel for a home can start at $30,000 or higher, depending on the local labor costs, the accessibility of products used, and other factors. Although these numbers might seem high, they do not compare to the soaring prices of a nursing home or assisted living facility.
What to Look for When Hiring an Age-in-Place Contractor
Portrait of a handsome Latin handyman writing a work order for a customer in her kitchen
Before making any decisions, determine whether or not your aging-in-place remodeler is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). You can find CAPS contractors by searching the NAHB directory. You can also ask your friends, family, and neighbors for suggestions.
Once you’ve found an age-in-place remodeling contractor, meet them in person to evaluate if they’re a good fit. Since you will be working together for several days, weeks, or even months, you and your age-in-place contractor should be able to communicate easily.
Moreover, to ensure the contractor you’re considering can fulfill their duties, you should request the names and phone numbers of customers with whom the contractor has worked. You could call and ask each customer if they’re satisfied with that construction team’s workmanship.
You should also look at the contractor’s job history, completion rate, and performance, check their license number, inquire about the project timeline, and ask for references about the quality of their workmanship and products. These details will help you develop a knowledgeable opinion of the remodelers.
Before choosing an aging-in-place remodeler, get at least three written bids to determine the best deal for you.
And remember: the best deal doesn’t have to be the cheapest. If a contractor offers you bonus flooring, liability insurance, and a shorter work timeline, they may be worth considering than another who may hire subcontractors to perform all the work.
Ready to Remodel Your Home with Perry Brothers Construction?
Not every aging-in-place contractor understands the concept of renovation or preparing homeowners for the big transition. But Perry Brothers Construction understands what you want and need. After all, they’ve been doing it for over 45 years!
Perry Brothers Construction is a professional construction company using high-quality building materials. Our aging-in-place construction processes focus on accessibility, aesthetics, and safety to make your home safe for you and your loved ones. The company’s expertise and the CAPs certification make it ideal for aging-in-place renovations.
So, if you’re looking for a CAPS contractor willing to do all it takes to make your home comfortable for you to live in, request a free consultation and start your house renovation today.
