Interior Remodeling
Accessibility & Aging-in-Place Renovations
Small changes can make a home safer and easier to use, whether you're planning ahead, recovering from an injury or helping a family member stay at home.
Accessibility renovations adapt your home to the people living in it. Ironcrest Contracting plans these projects carefully, because the right solution depends on the person, their mobility and how they move through the house. Where an occupational therapist has made recommendations, we're glad to build to them.
What accessibility work can include
- Barrier-free showers — curbless or low-threshold showers with slip-resistant tile, handheld shower heads and built-in seating, as part of a bathroom remodel.
- Grab bars and blocking — properly anchored grab bars and solid wood blocking in walls for future installation.
- Wider doorways — widening openings and installing offset hinges or pocket doors to improve wheelchair and walker access.
- Ramps and entries — exterior ramps, landings and handrails, and reducing step heights at entrances.
- Main-floor living — converting a main-floor room into a bedroom or adding a main-floor bathroom so stairs aren't required daily.
- Flooring and lighting layout — removing trip hazards, levelling transitions and planning lighting positions for licensed electricians to install.
How the project runs
- Home assessment. We walk through the home with you and, where possible, the person who will use the space, focusing on daily routines.
- Plan and quote. We recommend practical options, from small changes to larger renovations, with clear pricing for each.
- Build. Work is scheduled to minimize disruption, which is especially important when someone with limited mobility lives in the home.
- Review. We walk through the finished space together to make sure heights, clearances and features work as intended.
Good to know before you start
Accessibility needs are personal, and there's no single standard that fits everyone. Clearances for wheelchairs and walkers vary, so we measure around the actual equipment being used. Funding or tax credit programs may be available for some accessibility renovations; eligibility is set by each program, so check with the program administrator or your accountant. Thinking ahead can also save money: adding blocking during any renovation makes future grab bars simple to install.
What affects the cost of accessibility renovations
Accessibility projects range from a few grab bars to a full bathroom conversion or new main-floor suite, so costs vary widely. A curbless shower usually requires recessing or rebuilding the floor so water drains properly, which adds framing and waterproofing work compared with a standard shower. Widening a doorway in a load-bearing wall requires a new header. Exterior ramps depend on the rise, length, materials and landings needed. Adding blocking during other renovations is inexpensive, while retrofitting it later can mean opening finished walls. We'll recommend options at different levels of investment, so you can choose what makes the most difference first.
Accessibility Renovations questions
Can grab bars be installed on any wall?
Grab bars must be anchored into solid backing or with appropriate anchors rated for the load. Drywall alone won't hold one safely.
How wide should doorways be for a wheelchair?
It depends on the wheelchair and the approach to the door. We measure the actual equipment and plan clear openings that work for it.
Can you work with an occupational therapist's recommendations?
Yes. If an occupational therapist has assessed the home, we'll review their recommendations and build to them.
Where we offer accessibility renovations
We provide accessibility renovations for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
Let's build something solid.
Tell us about your project and we'll set up a time to look at it in person. You'll get a clear, written quote before any work begins.