How Much Does It Cost To Remodel For Disability Accommodation?

Interior Accessibility Modification Costs

Changing your home's interior to create an accessible space costs anywhere from $100 to $19,000 or more. Budgets vary depending on the type of disability you’re creating accommodations for. Accessibility upgrades for mobility issues tend to cost the most, while modifications for the sight and hearing-impaired often cost the least.

Your changes may include some of these common alterations:

• Adding grab bars and handrails: $100-$500. Interior railings cost $1,000 on average.

• Lowering cabinets and sinks: $1,500-$8,500. You’ll want to consider cabinet installation costs in your budgeting.

• Adding non-slip flooring: $3-$22 per square foot. You may want to include that in new flooring installation costs which may save you a bit when bundled together.

• Installing chair or stair lifts: $1,500-$5,000. A stair lift either has a chair or hooks onto a wheelchair to make other levels of the home available.

• Installing an elevator costs: $2,500-$60,000.

• Lowering thermostats: $75-$300 each. About the same as outlet installation costs, you’ll need to make these accessible. It’s also a great time to install a wireless or smart thermostat.

• Converting to ADA compliant bathrooms and kitchens: $9,000-$40,000. If you plan to make your home accessible as a rental, you’ll need to follow ADA accessibility guidelines. Although most rules apply to larger multifamily units, you’ll still want to offer reasonable accommodations.

• Widening doors: $700-$2,500 each. Interior doors tend to cost less than entryways.

• Widening hallways: $30,000-$40,000. Widening a hallway often means extensive interior work at high costs. However, most modern home building guidelines have all interior hallways already wide enough for a wheelchair.

Exterior Accessibility Modification Costs

Exterior accessibility upgrades for persons with disabilities cost $200 to $16,000 or more. Like interior modifications, exterior upgrades depend on what disability requires accommodation. They can include any of the following:

• Adding to a deck wheelchair ramp costs: $1,000-$4,000

• Adding railings to your porch: $1,000-$2,500

• Installing a porch lift: $2,000-$6,000

• Widening paths: $650-$2,000

• Increasing outdoor lighting costs: $2,000-$6,000

• Adding motion sensing lights: $200-$600.

• Changing landscaping costs: $300-$16,000

Widen Doorway for Wheelchair Cost

Widening a doorway for a wheelchair costs around $700 to $2,500 per door. You’ll need to make the space at least 32 inches wide. That often means reframing the entry and installing a new door (It also might possibly require moving light switches located by adjacent doors). You also have the option to install swing clear hinges for around $200 to $500. They allow the door to open clear of the doorway, but only adds a couple inches of space.

How to Make A House Wheelchair Accessible

To make a home completely wheelchair accessible, you’ll spend $2,000 to $60,000 or more. You’ll need to:

• Add a ramp to make the first level accessible.

• Reconfigure bathrooms with enough room for a wheelchair to turn around.

• Widen doorways to at least 32 inches.

• Install a stair lift if you have a second floor.

• Widen hallways. Not typically necessary in modern homes.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Accessible Bathroom?

Building an accessible bathroom costs $9,000 on average. Bathroom fixtures for persons with disabilities cost $100 to $3,000. Altogether, you’ll probably spend $3,000 to $15,000 per bathroom. A new bathroom addition costs $5,000 to $35,000, if you have existing space ready to convert. While upgrading for accessibility, consider modernizing your bathroom addition.

Wheelchair Accessible Shower Price

Shower installations cost $2,000 to $7,500. It makes little difference if you’re installing one for accessibility reasons or simply upgrading for style. It’s a great time to do both.

• Showers designed for persons with disabilities cost $1,500-$7,500.

• Shower ramps for wheelchairs cost $16-$300.

Accessible Bathtub Prices

A standard tub install costs $1,500 to $6,500. Tubs with walk-in options designed for those with mobility issues cost $1,000 to $17,000. A conversion for a walk-in shower from a tub costs $350 to $1,000.

Wheelchair Accessible Vanity and Sink Cost

Wheelchair- accessible vanities cost $1,200 to $2,500. They allow the wheelchair to get underneath the sink, allowing you to get close. They’re also slightly lower to the floor. “All plumbing below the sink(s) must be padded to prevent injury in the event a wheelchair-bound person’s knees or legs run into them,” says Ezra Laniado, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc.

ADA Compliant Toilet Cost

Installing an ADA compliant toilet, also called a comfort toilet, costs $500 to $1,100. They usually need a little extra room behind and around them for installation and ease of access from a wheelchair.

Grab Bar Installation Cost

Cost to install a grab bar ranges from $100 to $500 each. You’ll also need to reinforce walls where they’ll be installed with blocking which might add $200 to $1,000.

Cost of Bathroom Remodeling for Disability Accommodation

An ADA bathroom remodel costs $2,000 to $16,000. Bathroom remodel for disabled accommodations costs about the same as a standard remodel. However, wheelchair accessibility in smaller baths may present issues. Small bathroom remodel costs of $1,500 to $15,000 may double if you need to make the space larger.

Make a House Wheelchair Accessible: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY-ing disability accommodations depends a lot on your level of expertise and the disability in question. For example, redoing a bathroom for a wheelchair requires a plumber and carpenter, but installing some extra solar LED lights along a walkway you may consider doing yourself. Your local ADA contractor can discuss options and help you get started with a quote and timeline.

FAQs

How wide should a doorway be for wheelchair access?

Make sure doors have at least 32 inches of clearance for wheelchair access.

How can I make my bathroom accessible?

To make a bathroom accessible, you’ll want to make sure you have enough room to maneuver a wheelchair, have a comfort toilet and grab bars installed. You’ll also want to consider a wheelchair accessible sink and vanity.

Will Medicare pay for a wheelchair ramp or home disability accommodations?

Medicare often won’t pay for a wheelchair ramp or other home disability accommodation. However, Medicaid often will.

How much does it cost to make a home wheelchair accessible?

It’ll cost $1,000 to $30,000 or more to make a home wheelchair accessible. Most newer homes have doors and hallways wide enough for wheelchairs. You’ll need to focus your investments into the bathroom, kitchen and a wheelchair ramp.

How much does it cost to make a bathroom accessible?

You’ll pay $9,000 on average to make a bathroom accessible. The final costs depend heavily on the type of disability.