Now that we are living longer,  we will probably experience many more life changing events during that extended lifespan.  If you have been paying attention to the medical news concerning our society you are well aware we are living longer than just a few decades ago.  As a result, our senior populations are expanding and most people will experience health issues that are most common among the elderly.  Most seniors will reach a point in their lives when they require specialized home environments to safely retain their independence.  Home modifications can be used to accommodate anyone from people with mobility impairments to those with vision loss, hearing loss, or even cognitive or developmental disabilities.  Accessibility home modifications or wheelchair accessible bathroom remodeling in Austin will allow anyone with limited mobility within your home to feel more empowered and independent.  The extent of a customized accessibility design is dependent upon the activity level of the person needing the modifications and will require the expertise of handicap remodeling contractors.

     Preparing for one of those highly likely events involving someone in your home needing room modifications for even a short time while recovering from surgery is surely a smart move.  T-Square Company is a bathroom remodeling contractor in Austin, Texas and we've had to rethink our entire remodeling strategy for the future.  The new evolving concept known as Universal Design for home remodeling is catching on nation wide and has been for several years as a sign of the times.  An evolution of new products used in room modifications making homes more accessible has come about in the remodeling industry.  These new advances in home remodeling not only keep the living environments safer but will not compromise the home's aesthetics or resale value.  Interior modifications can include adding grab bars or handrails throughout the home, lowering upper cabinets and counter tops, adding non-slip flooring, widening hallways or installing stair lifts, and widening doors.  You might also consider a roll in shower while lowering light switches and thermostats to a 48" height and installing easier to use door lever lock sets.  You should try to provide a clear barrier free path or accessible route to the most visited areas of your home.  The published guidelines for ADA accessibility for buildings and facilities is a great resource for ideas on how to make a home safer and easier to live in.   Homes can become more accessible to people as they age. Many of these published guidelines, particularly requirements for corridor and door widths, safety bars and proper access to different types of facilities can go a long way in extending the amount of time an elderly or physically impaired individual can live independently.

     The costs involved for handicap home modifications in Austin are really dictated by the amount of barrier free accessibility required by the person needing the assistance to be safe.  Comfort and safety for the home's inhabitants are key issues when designing an accessibility remodel.  Most homeowners nationally spend between $3,800 and $14,000 with a mean average expense of $7,500.  This cost again is based on the individual home modifications providing the greatest safety for those in need.

     Falls and slips are among the most common causes causes of injury to senior and elderly people.  Smooth surfaces in combination with wet areas make the bathroom one of the most dangerous areas within the home.  It is of paramount importance that the bathroom be updated providing safety for any person with limited mobility or the elderly.  If you are on a tight budget and can only afford a few modifications, the bathroom is the first place to begin an accessibility remodel.  The most basic improvements to enhance safety issues are fairly inexpensive. 

         The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house.  Wheelchair accessibility clearances of no less than 27" high by 30" wide should involve a lowered sink, a front controlled cook top, and a food prep area.   A 9" tall by 6" deep under cabinet toe kick clearance should be observed for adequate foot clearance while in the wheelchair.  Adjustable shelving is helpful and door placement should be determined by the user.  Appliances are another consideration when modifying a home for accessibility.  Lowering the location of the microwave or raising the dishwasher for easier access to the bottom rack needs to be considered.  There is nothing strange, different, or out of the ordinary to consider when shopping for ADA kitchen cabinetry. The specialty cabinetry can be composed of any materials that currently make up standard off the shelf or custom cabinetry. It's all about the agreed upon cabinet industry standards for heights and distances being incorporated into the cabinetry designs . This allows the consumer with special needs a more comfortable experience while performing the kitchen's daily duties. Architectural barriers have been removed allowing for the proper legroom clearance, reach distance, and cabinet height. Upper wall cabinets are installed four inches lower providing for a comfortable reach distance above the cabinet top, installed at 34 inches above the finished floor, for the perfect height that is totally useful. The ease of operation of the new cabinetry is more favorable and convenient and certainly user friendly.

          Whatever your situation please rely on the experiences of a local building professional.  Check out their credentials and references over merely price checks against other bidders.  Don't make the mistake of letting a cabinet making subcontractor play the part of a general contractor with accessibility experience because his knowledge will be limited to that of standard cabinets and not much else.  You get what you pay for with proper planning and experience.

    Aging in place home modifications are available through T-Square Company in the Austin area. We have an A plus rating with the local BBB and have over 30 years of remodeling experience. We are additionally a certified aging in place specialist offering complete aging in place services.  Each design/build situation will be customized to fit your personal needs increasing your accessibility. Call 512-444-0097 today to begin the accessible second chapter of your life while remaining safe and secure in your existing home. CAPS #1636580

Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms

     You have contemplated and dreamed of an addition to your home for years but now it's time for you to make a decision as to how you accomplish your basic needs for living.  Certain changes in your lifestyle have dictated an expansion.  Your living space has grown more crowded over time with additional family members being added as children, extended family members, or you may now find yourself having to provide care for an elderly family member.  Any and all of these life changing situations can add stress to  your daily lifestyle creating the need for additional living space or home improvements Austin. 

     As our children grow older they generally require more space and sometimes privacy.  This sparks a need for additional bedroom space alone once an aging relative or spouse is introduced into the original home's square footage who requires special care.   Here, privacy can truly become an issue just to keep everyone happy while underneath the same roof.  Perhaps even private entrances will be required for some of the home's new residents.  These private entries could  be required to begin a new accessible route if there are ADA compatibility issues involved. 

     It's time to find yourself either a qualified architectural firm and residential remodeling contractor or a local experienced residential construction contractor with in house design capabilities who can build what is designed.  The latter situation is usually your best shot at getting what you basically need to solve your living situation problems allowing you to cut out the beyond budget frills.  You will also save on the soft costs of your construction project that have nothing to do with the structual building process itself.  Many local residential contractors are quite capable of pushing out a wall in your home and putting a top on the structure.  This capability is based on both their experience and knowledge of all the building trades, especially the framing aspect that will be involved.  Actual experience in this particular facet of the project could proove to be very helpful for visualizing the construction and it's possibilities.  Has this contractor ever done this kind of project before?  Does he himself have skilled experience or does he appear to be a drive by limited contractor at the mercy of his subcontractor's capabilities?  Any depth of design is totally based on experience.  You will need to completely check out the contractor's references and any memberships in  local business organizations like the  Better Business Bureau.  What kind of rating does the residential remodeling professional have and how long has he been an accredited member?  Does the company have both general liability and Workman's Comp insurances and did the company offer you a certificate of insurance verifying their coverage.  You need the kind of information that can't be paid for and posted by the residential remodel contractor in question.  Don't be taken in by contractor listing  and referral sights that promise you successful and competent businesses.  They were listed there for one and only one reason, somebody paid for the listing fee.  Membership to national associations like NARI reflect only a self paid fee but says nothing about the contractor's experience and creativity.  That only comes from past customer's testimonials that you can fact check.

     Now how about the competitive bid prices you have collected?  A good rule of thumb is to toss out the lowest and highest numbers and go with the mid price.  This is true if and only if the company can pass the litmus test outlined above.  However, the project should be based on overall quality and remember you usually get what you pay for.  This situation will be solved with how the personalities of you and the contractor mesh together.  You must be able to communicate with this person who has come into your life throughout the construction process while keeping a level head for problem solving.  There will be problems because every construction and remodeling project has at least one.  There also needs to be a norm in the way the proposal is written.  Has the bidder been transparent and detailed to you in writing what is being covered within the bid?  Are there meaningful and fair allowances contained within the bid covering the materials that will be used but have no specifications as of yet?  You must do your homework before entering into any contract without regret.

     A traditional home builder has never truly considered the special needs of the disabled or aging within any home design. Unfortunately the design emphasis is always put on aesthetics and takes for granted everyone's mobility.  There certainly are no guarantees or clauses within any home's sales contract that will prevent our future personal life experiences from  introducing us to at least a temporary disability.  Accidents will always happen and you could find yourself having to utilize a wheelchair or walker to facilitate your independence for mobility.  Limitations in our mobility or constantly changing needs experienced by both the disabled and the elderly have sprung a new dimension in construction known as ADA remodeling to accomplish increased kitchen and bathroom accessibility.

     As we age, just maneuvering around within our home becomes more difficult.  Some debilitating diseases slowly take over our bodies completely reducing mobility over time.  The situation is complicated further once we are forced to use any device for increased mobility.  That's when we find ourselves asking how we are to negotiate a set of stairs or a doorway that is too narrow to allow entry into a room or even the entire house.  These types of overpowering circumstances can certainly make life terribly difficult to deal with at times.  Who would ever have imagined that just passing through a doorway we had negotiated many times could now present such a problem in our life? 

     Designated accessible routes can be created by first hiring a knowledgeable residential construction contractor in Austin, Texas.  The experienced builder you contract with must be skilled in both home remodeling and all ADA guidelines tom successfully accomplish disability bathroom remodeling in Austin.  The noted accessible route will first provide ways to accomplish any elevation changes in your yard that once required only stairs  leading up to your front door.  A correctly angled ramp following ADA guidelines will help you gain access into the house.   Maybe the front door itself needs to be widened or additionally equipped with an electronic opener. 

     Once inside, the accessible route will continue into all the rooms increasing their accessibility provided for by wheelchair remodeling.  Kitchen upgrades and disability access bathrooms will provide roll under capability for wheelchairs at all sinks.  A required underneath clearance and scalding protection below the sinks must be observed for the end user with special needs.  The correct handles must be used controlling all sink faucets assisting those with limited mobility.  Reach limits must not be exceeded above the new 34 inch high cabinet top. Roll in or transfer showers outfitted with hand held showers and adjustable slide bars can also be of assistance.  Hallways need to be wide enough for wheelchair clearance and all entry doors at each room must be at least 36 inches wide for unobstructed entry.  A clear and unobstructed wheelchair turning radius will be built into the design for increased accessibility to facilitate leaving a small rooms in the bathroom. Lowering the light switches in certain rooms may be a requirement to help with decreased mobility. 

     Your professional builder will be able to access the costs associated with the accessible route designed plus he must be able to lead you in the right direction for the available budget you have to spend for your ADA remodel.  Your biggest and most important duty will be in qualifying the builder you choose.   Remember that this special type of information is not common knowledge with all builders and remodelers.  You must be sure he has both the experience and knowledge for understanding any and all of the ADA requirements that will most certainly increase your accessibility.  If he uses the correct methodology,  your lifestyle can become much more manageable and independent making adapting to life's changes far easier.  Do your homework and don't depend on advise from others for guidance in solving your most personal problems in life.