Deciding to build a granny flat is simple, designing and building the extension can be a lot harder. You'll have a lot of questions to answer along the way. Can you use a general contractor or is is better to use one who has built a lot of granny flats before? Is a template design better than a customised one? Should you let the person who'll live in the flat have a say in what it looks like? Luckily, I'm here to help. My name is Maria. We moved my Mum into a purpose-built granny flat last year, so I've had to answer all these questions and more. I thought it'd be useful for other people to see how we managed the process, so here we are — get reading!
Residential Building Construction Tips for Senior Living
If you are of advanced age and are thinking of building a home for you to retire in, or perhaps you are deliberating on constructing a home for your senior parent, there are a number of things that you should have in mind before engaging in residential building construction. Even when the individual is still active, it is best to put measures in place that will ensure that they are at minimal risk of injuring themselves as they navigate their property.
Fortunately, when you choose to build a custom residence, you have the flexibility to add all the inclusions you need for seniors living from the beginning rather than having to renovate the house later on. Here are residential building construction tips for senior living.
Select materials that require minimal upkeep
One of the advantages of engaging in residential building construction from the design stage is that you have full control over which materials should be used for your structure. While some materials are necessary due to their structural integrity, you should still consider if you can choose supplies that will not require routine maintenance. For instance, vinyl window frames are a better solution than timber because the vinyl is not susceptible to rot and cracks like its timber counterparts are. Thus, when consulting with your building contractors, request for materials that will wear well but do not require constant attention to stay durable.
Increase the floor space
While floor space is typically associated with how many people will be living in the house, it is still important to increase the floor space even when the senior may only be living with a caregiver. Extra space is crucial for enhanced mobility. As people age, they may lose some of their ability and will have to manoeuvre through the house on a walker or a wheelchair. Moreover, you will have to install wide hallways and doorways so that a wheelchair can pass through them with ease.
Install a walk-in bathtub
Another important consideration to have in mind when engaging in residential building construction is accessibility to the bath areas. If you choose a bathtub, you should install one that can be walked into rather than climbing over to get into it. Some seniors lose their sense of balance so if they have to climb into the tub they could acquire an injury. If you prefer installing a shower to a bathtub, consider fixtures such as a grab bar and a fixed seat that will help the individual to steady themselves.