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In recent years, an increasing number of South Bend homeowners are choosing aging in place remodeling, which allows them to stay in their beloved homes as they age, rather than moving to assisted living facilities. Remodeling different areas of your home can make it safer and more accessible, so you can enjoy maximum comfort over time.
Barbour Construction, an aging in place specialist, has been remodeling South Bend homes since 2014. In this blog, you’ll learn about the benefits that make these remodels so popular.
Table of Contents
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Why South Bend Homeowners Are Choosing Aging in Place Remodeling
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What Are the Most Popular Aging In Place Remodeling Projects?
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Key Safety Features Every Aging in Place Remodel Should Include
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Get Your Aging in Place Remodel Started Today
What Does “Aging in Place” Mean?
Aging in place means making modifications to your home that enable you to continue living there safely and independently as you get older. These types of remodels are becoming more popular in South Bend as assisted living costs are on the rise, and more people have a desire to stay in similar surroundings without losing their independence and comfort.
Why South Bend Homeowners Are Choosing Aging in Place Remodeling
Getting older isn’t anything new, but many homeowners in South Bend, in particular, are approaching retirement age. As they think about the future, there are a few factors that inform their choices to stay in their homes:
Cost Savings Compared to Assisted Living Facilities
While remodeling homes is a big investment, aging in place renovations are often more affordable long-term than moving into assisted living.
Staying Close to Community
Being able to stay in their homes means remaining close to neighbors, family, friends, and healthcare providers. This offers more comfort and less disruption to daily life.
Increased Home Value
Home remodeling, including accessibility upgrades, can increase the market appeal of your home, giving you an excellent return on your investment.
What Are the Most Popular Aging In Place Remodeling Projects?
Aging in place home modifications can vary depending on personal preferences, home layout, and budget. The most popular upgrades homeowners choose are in common areas that residents must be able to access on a daily basis. Take a look at our portfolio to see examples of projects we've completed.
Bathroom Safety Upgrades
- Walk-in showers: Easier to enter and exit with less chance of slipping.
- Grab bars: Extra leverage to help get in and out of the shower, on or off the toilet, and help prevent falls.
- Non-slip flooring: Offers more stability to help prevent slipping and falling.
- Higher toilets: Provide a more comfortable experience and ease of use.
Kitchen Accessibility Modifications
- Lower countertops: Make it easier for people in wheelchairs to access, or for people who need to sit while they prepare food.
- Pull-out shelves: Eliminate the need to reach for items, which can be dangerous for people with mobility limitations.
- Lever-style faucets: Easier to operate for those with arthritis or other conditions that affect their hand strength and dexterity.
- Improved lighting: Helps people with lower vision navigate more safely.
Entryway Accessibility Improvements
- Wheelchair ramps: Enable wheelchair users to independently enter and exit the home.
- No-step entrances: Smoother entry and exit for wheelchair users and people with other mobility challenges.
- Wider doorways: Help accommodate wheelchairs and medical equipment.
Stair and Mobility Solutions
- Stair lifts: Eliminate the risk of walking up and down the stairs.
- Handrails: Provide extra stability and support, which helps prevent falls.
- First-floor living conversions: Sometimes, removing the need to use stairs at all is the best option for people with mobility challenges.
Key Safety Features Every Aging in Place Remodel Should Include
While everyone faces their own unique challenges as they get older, some safety features will benefit every homeowner who chooses to age in place:
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Abundant lighting
- Wider hallways and doorways
- Easy-to-reach storage
- Home safety technology
Benefits of Remodeling Before It’s Necessary
If you aren’t experiencing any mobility issues or other age-related changes yet, you might be tempted to put off remodeling until you need it. However, proactive planning can help prevent injuries before they happen and avoid the cost of emergency renovations. You’ll have more time to perfect the details of your home remodel ideas, and your loved ones will feel more confident about safety.
How Much Does an Aging in Place Remodel Cost in South Bend?
The cost of your aging in place remodel depends on the size of your project, the materials you choose, required labor, and whether it includes any structural changes. Here are some cost ranges for different types of remodels and examples of what they might include:
Bathroom Remodel
- Refresh: $25,000 - $35,000
- Fresh paint, standard-pattern flooring, a new tub, and standard plumbing and lighting fixtures
- Mid-Range: $60,000 - $80,000
- Some layout changes, upgraded fixtures, high-end flooring, solid stone or tile shower walls, and semi-frameless shower doors
- Luxury: $80,000+
- Complete layout change, custom cabinets, and custom flooring and tile patterns
Kitchen Remodel
- Refresh: $50,000 - $75,000
- Fresh paint, updated cabinets, standard-pattern flooring, new appliances and fixtures, prefabricated countertops
- Mid-Range: $125,000 - $175,000
- Semi-custom cabinets, upgraded fixtures and appliances, high-end flooring, and some layout changes
- Luxury: $175,000+
- Custom cabinets, luxury fixtures and appliances, complete layout change, premium flooring, and custom countertops
Whole House Remodel
- Refresh: $100 - $150 per square foot
- Fresh paint, updated cabinets, new flooring, new baseboards, standard fixtures, and fiberglass shower surround
- Mid-Range: $200 - $250 per square foot
- Kitchen and bathroom remodel, semi-custom cabinets, framing or removing some walls, upgraded fixtures, new interior doors, and solid stone shower surrounds
- Luxury: $250+ per square foot
- Opening up the floor plan, luxury fixtures, upgraded interior doors, and custom cabinets, countertops, and shower doors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important aging in place upgrade?
The most important safety upgrade is installing grab bars in the bathroom, especially near the toilet and in the shower or tub. Research suggests that grab bars make people 76% more likely to recover their balance than people who don’t have them installed.
How long does an aging in place remodel take?
The timeline of your aging in place remodel depends on the complexity of the project. Our process typically begins with 2-4 months of planning, design coordination, and estimating to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here are some typical construction timeline estimates for different types of remodels:
- Kitchen remodel: ~8-12 weeks
- Primary bathroom remodel: ~6-10 weeks
- Whole-home remodel: ~6-12+ months
Can aging in place upgrades increase my home value?
Yes! Making accessibility upgrades to your home can make it more attractive to potential buyers, offering a great return on your investment.
How can I prepare for my aging in place remodel?
Knowing how to prepare for your remodel will make the process smoother for both you and your contractor. Some tips to help you prepare:
- Start planning early, before the aging in place home modifications are necessary
- Focus on high-risk areas like bathrooms and stairs
- Consider your long-term mobility needs and how you might be able to modify your home to accommodate them
- Choose an experienced remodeling contractor, ideally an aging in place specialist
Get Your South Bend Aging in Place Remodel Started Today
Are you ready to begin your aging in place remodeling project? Contact us to talk through your ideas. We're here to help you plan and update your home to support you through the next stage of your life.
