People with mobility issues typically have ramps built outside their houses. Ramps make it easier for them to get in and out. To the average homeowner though, a ramp is nothing more than a novelty. However, whether a person uses a ramp is beside the point because it is undeniable that wheelchair-accessible homes are worth more. The cost of ramp installation can be high. If somebody looking for a house with a ramp finds one, they are usually willing to pay more so they don’t then have to pay extra for ramp installation themselves. This post will explore this topic in more detail and tell you all the details about the value added by ramps and additional features utilized in wheelchair-accessible design.

Features Found in Wheelchair-Accessible Homes

The first thing this post needs to address is the different features found in wheelchair-accessible homes. Understanding what these features are and what purposes they serve can give you a better understanding of why installing them increases a property’s market value. As a side note, if you are a property owner and want to make adaptations so your house is more wheelchair accessible, choosing the right wheelchair ramp is very important. You also need quality handrails and a robust stairlift. Here are the features found in wheelchair-accessible homes:

Wider Doors

Properties built for those with mobility issues typically have wider doors. It can be a struggle to get wheelchairs through conventionally-sized doors sometimes. Widening doorways in properties that have already been built can be very expensive because changes have to be made to their structures. Structural changes require planning permits from the city and builders who’re highly qualified. It is much easier for developers to build wider doorways during a property’s construction than it is for adjustments to be made to them afterwards. Because of the hassle that has to go into widening doorways, properties can be worth a lot more if they already have them.

Ramps

Of all the investments a person in a wheelchair might need to make if they are planning on buying a house, ramps are the most affordable. Additionally, they are the most useful. People can live without stairlifts, wide doors, and ramps. However, they can’t live in a house they can’t get into. Ramps give people with mobility issues the ability to get in and out of their houses without needing anybody else’s support. Most people in wheelchairs prefer to be independent and don’t want to have to have somebody constantly around to help them. Ramps give people independence and can significantly improve their lives.

Stairlifts

Many houses built for people with mobility issues are single-storey dwellings, i.e., bungalows. However, stairlifts can be installed in multi-storey properties to make getting around easier. Stairlifts are devices that attach to a building’s staircases, carrying people up and down them. The installation of a stairlift can cost a small fortune. People will pay a lot more for houses that have them installed since it saves them the hassle of having to install them for themselves. Stairlifts also require regular maintenance. They typically come under warranty, meaning repairs and upkeep are free.

Grab Bars

Grab bars are installed in places where those with mobility issues might be moving around without their wheelchairs or crutches. They are also fitted in places like bathrooms. The installation of grab bars makes it easier for the disabled to live independently. Having somebody present when you are showering, for example, can be uncomfortable. Grab bars give people with mobility issues the opportunity to live according to their own terms without a carer constantly supervising and monitoring their activities. They are also affordable to install.

Wheelchair Storage

Wheelchairs can be large. They need to be stored in dedicated cupboards. It’s not feasible to store one’s wheelchair in a closet alongside one’s clothes and an array of other things. When wheelchairs need to be taken out and used, there need to be no obstructions. Unfortunately, most houses only have one or two closets built into bedrooms, which means people who are wheelchair-bound often struggle to find the space to store their wheelchairs; houses being built for the disabled typically have extra storage space built in so that they can store their wheelchairs.

Space Within Rooms

Finally, houses being built for people who have mobility issues are often a lot more spacious than the average house is. Getting through a room in a wheelchair can be difficult if there is not a lot of room, since furniture often gets in the way. People who are in wheelchairs and live in small spaces often have to compromise and buy less furniture than they might want to. Adding space to houses after they have been built can be difficult and expensive, which is why people will happily pay more for spacious properties.

Are Wheelchair-Accessible Homes Worth More?

Some of the features mentioned above can cost thousands of dollars to install. Stairlifts, for example, can cost as much as $7,000. If you are a homeowner who’s interested in making changes to your property (or building a new one to sell), then investing in the above features can be a good way to increase your property’s market value. People will pay more for it if the above features are already installed since it saves them the hassle of having to get everything sorted themselves. It can also save them money, since with inflation, things like stairlifts and grab rails get more expensive each year.

Making Changes to Your Home

If you are in a wheelchair and want to make adjustments to your house so that you can live a more comfortable life, make sure that you find the most experienced and qualified builder that you can; the more qualified and experienced a construction firm is, the better. A good way to tell whether a builder is worth working with is to read the customer feedback left on their site. Also, take a look at their gallery of completed work. Their gallery will give you a glimpse into what the quality of the work they produce is like.

Wheelchair-accessible homes are worth more than normal ones, mainly because of how expensive the features built into them are. Developers can earn a lot more for themselves by installing the above features from the beginning. They can also improve the lives of the disabled.