Austin’s Ability-First Design-Build Firm
ACCESSIBLE HOME REMODELING AUSTIN, TX FAMILIES TRUST
Science-backed, ability-first design that helps you stay in the home you love. Serving Austin and Central Texas since 1974.
Why Ability-First Design Matters
More Than ADA Compliance: True Universal Design for Real Life
ADA standards were written for commercial and government buildings. They were never designed to account for the nuances of private residential life. A universal design contractor like T-Square goes further, applying neuro-physical logic to every fixture, threshold, and layout decision based on your specific reach range, transfer ability, and wheelchair turning radius. Inspired by the pioneering work of Architect Ron Mace, we build homes that are usable by everyone, whether you are a child, a veteran, a seven-foot basketball player, or someone navigating a degenerative disease. This is accessibility-first construction done right.
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About T-Square Company
50 Years of Science-Backed Accessibility in Austin
T-Square Company was established in 1974 in Austin, Texas. What began as a broad commercial and residential design-build firm, including work on shopping centers, office buildings, and hotels, evolved into one of Central Texas's most specialized accessibility remodeling practices. That needed shift was driven by a simple realization: the residential market who needed the most thoughtful construction were being underserved by contractors relying on common sense rather than science. Owner David Traut's background in neurophysiology changed that. His graduate-level research, including work related to Muscular Dystrophy, gave T-Square a foundation that no general contractor can replicate. Today, the firm operates at the intersection of medical science and construction, providing high-end accessible home remodeling in Austin and the surrounding region.
The T-Square Difference
Six Reasons Austin Homeowners Choose T-Square Company
From our scientific foundation to our trusted subcontractor network, every element of how we work is designed to protect your investment, your safety, and your dignity.
Neurophysiology-Informed Design
David's graduate degree in neurophysiology means modifications are based on biological reality, not guesswork. Using the Principles of Universal Design, reach ranges, transfer ability, and turning radii are calculated for your specific condition.
50 Years of Proven Trust
Established in 1974, T-Square has built a track record of contractual integrity and consistent site supervision across five decades of Austin-area projects. That history is a promise to every new client.
Story-First Approach
Before any design begins, David listens. Your mobility journey, your daily barriers, and your long-term goals shape every decision. You are never treated as a line item in a project queue.
Non-Institutional Aesthetics
Your home should not look like a hospital. T-Square designs modifications that are attractive, high-functioning, and unrecognizable as disability features. Universal design means beautiful design for everyone.
High-Tech Integration
From smartphone-controlled lighting and smart door openers to leak detectors and AI-assisted gait monitoring, T-Square integrates technology that supports independence and keeps families connected to a loved one's wellbeing.
Turnkey Design-Build Process
Planning, design, and construction are managed under one roof. David personally superintends every project using a stable roster of subcontractors, many of whom have worked with T-Square for 15 to 20 years.
Our Services
Accessible Home Remodeling in Austin Built Around Your Ability
T-Square offers a focused range of accessibility-first construction services designed to address the full spectrum of mobility needs. From a single bathroom modification to a complete home transformation, every project is guided by neurophysiology-informed design and decades of hands-on experience in Central Texas.
Aging-in-Place Remodeling
Proactive, non-clinical modifications that support long-term livability for users of any age, size, or ability. We design spaces that work beautifully today and adapt as your needs change over time.
Accessible Bathroom Remodeling
Roll-in and barrier-free showers, walk-in showers, tub-to-shower conversions, roll-under vanities and grab bar placement optimized for your specific reach range and transfer ability. Safety and style, together.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling
Lowered and customized counters, open floor clearance for wheelchair navigation, roll-under food prep areas and sink spaces and reachable storage designed to support fully independent cooking. Your kitchen should work for you and your family.
Handicap Accessible Modifications
Highly customized solutions for individuals with significant mobility limitations, including wheelchair users and those with degenerative diseases such as ALS, MS, and Muscular Dystrophy. Designed with neurophysiological precision.
Zero-Threshold Entries and Doorway Widening
Zero-threshold entries, doorways widened up to three feet, and smart door openers that create a fully navigable path from the front door to the back. Access should never be a barrier.
ADU Construction and Home Additions
Freestanding Accessory Dwelling Units and attached additions designed for multigenerational living and caregiver suites. We help families stay close while maintaining independence and privacy.
Smart Home and High-Tech Integration
Smartphone-controlled lighting, leak detector systems, smart home controls for users with limited hand function, smart thermostats, and AI-assisted monitoring for gait and fall detection. Technology in service of independence.
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Common Questions
Answers to What Austin Homeowners Ask Most
What is the difference between ADA compliance and residential accessibility remodeling?
ADA standards were created for commercial and government buildings. They set minimum requirements for public spaces but were never intended to address the specific needs of private residential life. Residential accessibility remodeling, especially the neurophysiology-informed approach T-Square uses, goes much further. David designs every modification around your individual reach range, transfer ability, and wheelchair turning radius. That level of customization is not possible with a one-size-fits-all commercial code. The goal is a home that works for your body, not just a building that meets a legal threshold.Is aging-in-place remodeling only for older adults, or can younger people benefit too?
Aging in place design is really about ability, not age. T-Square serves a wide range of clients, including individuals with ALS, MS, and Muscular Dystrophy, veterans with mobility needs, families with children who have physical disabilities, and adults of any age who want a home that supports their independence. David Traut describes the term 'aging in place' as a misnomer because it implies the work is only for the elderly. In reality, universal design benefits everyone in the household, regardless of their age, size, or current health status.How does a virtual home accessibility assessment work for clients outside Austin?
For clients in areas like Wimberley, Driftwood, or even out of state, T-Square conducts virtual camera-based assessments. You become David's eyes on the ground, walking through your space with a camera so he can evaluate your layout, identify barriers, and develop a design-build plan. This approach allows David to apply the same neurophysiological expertise he brings to in-home visits, regardless of your location. It is an effective way to get professional accessibility guidance without requiring a physical site visit as the first step.What does a typical T-Square accessibility project cost, and do you offer financing?
T-Square projects typically range from $50,000 to $125,000, reflecting the high level of customization, scientific precision, and quality materials involved. The firm does not offer financing. David advises clients to consider utilizing home equity to fund modifications. This investment is best understood in context: the one-time cost of accessibility remodeling is often far less than the ongoing monthly expense of assisted living or institutional care, and it preserves something no facility can replace, which is the dignity and comfort of living in your own home.
Can accessibility modifications be designed to avoid a clinical or institutional look?
Yes, and this is a core priority for T-Square. Many homeowners resist modifications because they do not want their home to feel like a medical facility. T-Square designs around the universal design philosophy developed by Architect Ron Mace, which holds that a well-designed home should be usable and attractive for everyone, without visually signaling disability. Barrier-free showers, widened doorways, and smart home technology can all be integrated in ways that look intentional and high-end rather than clinical. The goal is a home that feels like yours.
What is the difference between an ADU and a home addition for multigenerational living?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a freestanding, independent structure built on your property, separate from the main house. It offers full privacy and autonomy for a caregiver or family member. A home addition is attached to the existing structure, often built under the current roofline by reclaiming space from a porch or closet. Additions tend to be more cost-effective when the goal is adding accessible square footage close to the main living areas. T-Square can help you evaluate which option better fits your property, your family's needs, and your budget.How does a background in neurophysiology change the way home modifications are designed?
Neurophysiology is the study of how the nervous system and body function together. David Traut's graduate-level background in the field, including research related to Muscular Dystrophy, gives him a precise understanding of how conditions like ALS, MS, and other mobility impairments affect a person's movement, reach, and balance over time. This knowledge along with being a master builder, directly informs where a grab bar is placed, how wide a doorway needs to be, or how a shower layout should account for a wheelchair turning radius. A general contractor follows rules of thumb. T-Square designs for the biological reality of your specific condition.
What kinds of smart home technology does T-Square integrate into accessibility projects?
T-Square integrates a range of high-tech solutions to support independence and safety. These include smartphone-controlled lighting, smart door openers for users with limited hand function, leak detector systems, smart thermostats, and AI-assisted monitoring for gait detection that can identify fall risks or changes in walking patterns. The firm also designs telehealth suites, converting home spaces into flexible environments for remote medical consultations, EKG reporting, or a dedicated space to recover from surgery. These integrated technologies allow family members and health professionals to stay connected to a loved one's health from a distance while preserving that person's privacy and autonomy.
