If you’re planning to sell your home anytime soon, your real estate agent has probably offered some tips for adding value to your property.
Maybe you’ve painted your kitchen or living room, or even re-worked your yard’s landscaping. But have you considered making your home more universally accessible?
For the most part, people believe making barrier-free modifications to their home won’t add resale value, according to Rick Thaxton with Accessible Living Atlanta. The real answer depends on the location of the home, the type of modification you’re considering, and the buyer. If you live where there’s a large population of baby boomers or retirees, accessibility features could add more value. If your home’s buyer is disabled or has someone with a disability living with them, the modification you choose to make could also up the resale value.
There’s also a misconception that making a home accessible isn’t affordable. Again, this depends on the modification. Installing a wheelchair ramp can cost between $950 to $3,000, according to Angi.com, and widening a door can run a homeowner up to $2,500.
Still, some accessibility modifications can have modest costs but be invaluable. Installing lever faucets in sinks and showers and pull door knobs costs very little. Adding strategic lighting creates greater visibility at a low cost; placing non-slip tape on ledges or on outdoor steps avoids injuries; and adding additional handrails on staircases can prevent falls. Some changes are free. Removing carpet costs nothing; so, does removing furniture from a room.
Jerry Acciaioli, general manager at Caps Remodeling in Madison Heights, Michigan, has suggestions for a few other low-cost options to make a home more universally accessible. Because homeowners are responsible for covering the costs of modifications and their installation, small adaptations are made to allow for the greatest maximization of space.
Rather than installing a new toilet, a toilet frame can be placed in reach so the user can grab hold when standing or sitting. The Bemis Toilet Safety Frame costs $160.
To allow those in wheelchairs to gain better access to cupboards, countertops can be raised or lowered. The Rev-a-shelf Drop Down Cabinet Insert costs $500.
A super pole can be anchored to the floor and ceiling and used to help with balance while completing daily routine tasks. The HealthCraft SuperPole costs $300.
A grab bar can be attached to the wall in the shower or bathroom. Moen’s grab bar is $75.
A tub cut-out is inserted to assist those who can’t lift their legs to climb into the tub. A lip is cut out to simply let them step inside. The Clean Cut Tub Cutaway can cost around $370.
If you’ve just purchased a home needing modifications, it’s important to hire the right contractors. Certified Aging Professionals can suggest the best products for your budget. And if partially or entirely financing these modifications is a concern, there is funding available at the federal, state, and local levels. Private funding in the form of grants can be obtained by disabled veterans, older adults, or those with disabilities.
Keep reading on Apartment Therapy.
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