Aging in Place? Here are Six DIY Home Improvements

More and more mature adults are choosing to stay in their homes for as long as possible post-retirement. In fact, an AARP survey showed that 90% of people planned on living at home for at least five to 10 years after they turned 65. So why is staying put such a popular choice? In addition to comfort and proximity to family, another is certainly cost. The average renovation budget for aging in place adds up to around $10,000 versus an assisted living facility which can average around $50,000 per year or much more. 

If you or your parents are considering aging at home, there are some things you can do to make a house more comfortable and safer as getting around becomes increasingly challenging. Popular upgrades such as widening doorways and fitting a walk-in shower should be done by a professional but there are also small things any homeowner can do to start getting prepared. Here are some great DIY ideas:

Grab Bars

A simple grab bar can make everyday tasks like using the bathroom and taking a shower a lot less dangerous. One thing to remember is that a grab bar will potentially have to hold the full weight of a person, so be sure to screw it to wall studs as opposed to sheetrock and pay attention to the weight limit of the bar. In addition to bathrooms, a bar by the bed can help someone with mobility issues get in and out easily. 

Ramps

People tend to think that ramps are just for wheelchairs, but that’s not the case. Stairs are a major tripping hazard for anyone who is getting older. Small threshold ramps can be installed between rooms inside while a larger 16-foot ramp will generally suffice for the transition from inside to outside. 

Smart Technology

There are so many fantastic tech options to make aging parents more comfortable while giving their loved one’s peace of mind. From temperature controls to automated blinds, lighting to entertainment systems to locks, being able to control the home with a smartphone can give a mature adult a lot more freedom. Safety systems have come a long way since the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” days with sensors and cameras that can detect changes in movement and routine better than ever before.

Doorknobs

Common issues such as arthritis can make opening doorknobs painful and difficult. Lever handles are a much better option and an inexpensive fix. Similarly, furniture and kitchen knobs should be swapped out with bar-style handles for easier access.  

Electric Stair Lifts

While they are one of the most expensive improvements, a chair to help navigate stairs is a must for people with muscular weakness or walking problems. In addition to physical safety, most people are comforted by knowing there is a safe way to get between floors without fear. 

No-Slip Flooring

Falls are the most common cause of injury and death for older Americans and many take place in the bathroom. Replacing or covering the flooring with a non-slip surface is a smart preventative measure and can help reduce the risk of an accident when the floor becomes wet. Many options are simple to install and materials can be found at most local home improvement stores. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Thinking of Building a Tiny House? Here’s What You Need To Know

Tiny houses have exploded in recent years with more and more people ditching expensive mortgages and time-consuming maintenance in favor of downsized dwellings.  In addition to being cost-effective, tiny house living has a lot of interesting perks that make it a fun option for home ownership on a budget. Interested in learning more? Here are a few things you need to know before taking the plunge.

Let’s start with some stats. A tiny house is usually between 100 and 400 square feet, which will be a huge adjustment considering that the average American house size is 2,500 square feet. To put the size of a tiny house into perspective, you could fit 144 of them inside a football field. That’s a lot of houses in a little space!

If you think tiny homes are for millennials, you’re in the dark. In fact, two out of five tiny house owners are over 50 years old, making them a smart choice for both the young and adventurous and people looking to downsize and have less to worry about in retirement.

The average tiny house on wheels costs about $50,000 to build, while a house on a foundation can cost upwards of $110,000 or more depending on the bells and whistles. From an investment perspective, realtor.com reports that homes less than 500 square feet are appreciating twice as fast as the overall market (19% vs. 9%).

Speaking of money, it seems tiny house owners are more financially comfortable too.  It is reported that 89% of tiny home dwellers have less credit card debt than the average American and 60% of have no credit card debt at all. Tiny house owners have are even reported to have 55% more savings in the bank than the average homeowner.

So where do you start? Interestingly enough, an Austin, Texas-based construction company called Icon just unveiled the first-ever 3-D printed home in the U.S.. The 350-square foot home took just 48 hours to print and cost about $10,000 to create, though the company estimates that it will be printing 600 to 800 square foot houses for around $4,000 and will begin taking orders nationally in 2020.

If this new technology is a bit too hot off the presses for you, there are tons of more traditional options to consider, many of which use traditional building methods and materials on a smaller scale. Locally, Craft and Sprout is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based tiny house company with 20 years of experience in custom building. B&B Tiny Homes in North Adams, Massachusetts is another local builder that specializes in traditional and modern tiny homes with a truckload of customization options. Finally, I’d suggest taking a look at Wind River Tiny Homes for beautiful, unique designs. They are a bit further afield in Chattanooga, Tennesee, but their craftsmanship is hard to beat.

Have you thought about tiny home living? Do you have a local builder that you recommend? I’d love to hear from you, send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.