Accessible Bungalow Renovation

[Valo]

After reading other forum members build/renovation threads I've been inspired to document the renovation of my bungalow that I purchased in November 2013. This will be different renovation project than others featured on the forum, as the main goal of this build will be to create an accessible home as I'm a wheelchair user.

A Little Bit About Me....
Nine years ago I suffered a Spinal Injury when broke my neck in a freak accident, which resulted in me becoming tetraplegic and a wheelchair user. I was in hospital for 11 months recovering from this event. I was still living at home, but was on the verge of moving out. I made the decision early on in my recovery, that I wanted to live as independent life as possible. To that end my separated parents managed to purchase a new build ground floor flat in a development close by to where my Mum and I where already living. With the help of my Local Authority funding was secured to adapt the property to suit my needs - Ceiling Track Hoist, Wet Floor Shower etc.

I have now reached the point that I now longer want to live in a communal building, some people aren't respectful of the building fabric and the communal factor responsible for the building maintenance is useless!

The New Property
In October 2012, I lost my Sister very suddenly. It was the worst moment of my life, being told you'll never walk again takes some beating. This heartbreaking ordeal has given me an opportunity to purchase a forever home, something I would hope my sister would approve of and would make her happy seeing me settled and happy

After a short search I found my ideal property in October 2013, less than a 5min drive from my current flat. I put in an offer which was accepted and in November I got the keys.



The bungalow is in move-in condition, however it isn't particularly wheelchair friendly currently in it's current state

 

[Valo]

The Grand Plan
With the help of my Local Authority Occupational Therapy Department and a local architects firm I have been working with them to come up with a layout that works for wheelchair use.



My Local Authority will provide grant funding to help adapt the bungalow to suit my basic needs:

• One point of Ramped Access
• Access to the Property - Front Door Adaption: New wider and low threshold door along with door entry and automatic door opener system
• Widening of certain Internal Doors crucial to daily living
• Showering Facilities - Basic Wet room

I will be funding the rest of the adaptions and layout changes myself as well as adding to the supplied funding to get the finish I would like.

There are several layout changes, with the biggest being the removal of the stud walls between the Dining Room and Kitchen along with the Kitchen and Utility to make a large unified space, and the installation of low threshold French doors out onto a raised deck with garden access ramp.

 

[Valo]

A few photos of the main rooms as they currently stand.

Hall

Master Bedroom


Bedroom One


Study


Livingroom


Kitchen


Diningroom

 

[Valo]

Jobs and Plans

Gas Central Heating
One of the immediate jobs that needs to be tackled is the central heating system. To allow the creation of my wet room utilising the existing ensuite in the master bedroom, I need to have the water tank removed from a cupboard that backs on to the ensuite in the hall. The existing boiler is located in the garage and this is where I plan to locate the new Combi boiler. I'm in the middle of arranging meetings with a few companies to get a quote for carrying this out, along with to replacing all of the radiators with new double panel units.

Structured Cabling
With a lot of layout changes and other electrical works taking place during the renovation, this is the perfect time to run CAT5.

Wooden Flooring
I have hardwood flooring in my current flat but would prefer to go with Karndean or similar as carpets and wheelchair's don't mix! I would also like something that is as close to maintenance free as possible.

New Kitchen
I'm considering my options and have already had a Howden's kitchen designer out to take measurements and discuss my requirements. However this could be something that might have to wait, given the costs of other jobs with the build. This won't need to be a lowered accessible kitchen as I can't cook due to my injury however any new kitchen would have a lowered section of worktop though

 

[Valo]

Reserved 4

 

[Maccapacca]

I've just finished 2 accesable bungalows for a Local Authority, some bits and bobs I can remember.

• Simple car ports over from the front door to where you'd park a car to save getting wet with the potential extended time it takes to get in and out of a car
• Level access front and rear and a level path around the house
• Window and door handles lower
• Switches lower
• Sockets Higher
• Front door spy glass x 2 one high one low
• Letter catcher
• Low temperature radiators
• Mostly paved garden
• Wider doorways
• Knock out panels for future hoists
• Steels above ceilings for future hoists
• Mostly open plan
• Plus the obvious kitchen and bathroom adaptions
• Gully in the middle of a wet room if you have the falls

Have you got an occupational therapist? they can advise what is useful.

Good luck and if you need anything let us know.

 

[Participant]

Jesus, you've not had much luck in your life have you. Hope this ends up being a happier time.

 

[Valo]

I've just finished 2 accesable bungalows for a Local Authority, some bits and bobs I can remember.

• Simple car ports over from the front door to where you'd park a car to save getting wet with the potential extended time it takes to get in and out of a car
• Level access front and rear and a level path around the house
• Window and door handles lower
• Switches lower
• Sockets Higher
• Front door spy glass x 2 one high one low
• Letter catcher
• Low temperature radiators
• Mostly paved garden
• Wider doorways
• Knock out panels for future hoists
• Steels above ceilings for future hoists
• Mostly open plan
• Plus the obvious kitchen and bathroom adaptions
• Gully in the middle of a wet room if you have the falls

Have you got an occupational therapist? they can advise what is useful.

Good luck and if you need anything let us know.

Thanks for the pointers. I've got a great occupational therapist, she actually helped me with the adaptions to my flat. She's is brilliant at her job and I'm in safe hands. All the internal doors are being widened to 926mm which is more than enough clearance for a wheelchair.

Jesus, you've not had much luck in your life have you. Hope this ends up being a happier time.

Thanks. I'm sure my Sister will of approved of what I'm doing. She will want me to content, settled and happy.

 

[Participant]

Out of interest how are you entering text if you're tetraplegic? Voice?

 

[Valo]

Out of interest how are you entering text if you're tetraplegic? Voice?

I have limited movement in my arms (bicep reflex only) and no fine finger movement, but I have enough dexterity to use a keyboard and trackpad. I type using the side of my left pinkie finger

I did experiment with voice dictation years ago when I was still newly injured and very weak but it was rubbish, especially with a strong scottish accent!

 

[wonder_lander]

I have limited movement in my arms (bicep reflex only) and no fine finger movement, but I have enough dexterity to use a keyboard and trackpad. I type using the side of my left pinkie finger

I did experiment with voice dictation years ago when I was still newly injured and very weak but it was rubbish, especially with a strong scottish accent!

Yet you can still type better than Glaucus!

Looks like a great project that should really deliver benefits for living your life as independent as possibly! Good luck!

 

[booyaka]

Nothing much to add, but good luck with the new home - hope it's all you want it to be.

 

[bsoltan]

Sorry to hear of your circumstances. Awesome job on the house buy, looks like a good plot.

Could you convert the garage to give you more space?

I'd pick up some Cat6 instead of Cat5 if you're going to be putting in the cabling.

Hope it all goes well, keep us updated!

 

[Hyburnate]

That's a really nice bungalow, good luck with the renovation. I'll be keeping my eye on this thread

 

[Participant]

Yet you can still type better than Glaucus!

Lol

 

[Valo]

I've had a constructive couple of days.
With the help of a couple of mates - All of the carpets, underlay and gripper have been lifted and disposed of

I've had a quote from a recommended local Accredited Worcester Bosch gas fitter to rip out the existing central heating system and hot water tank and replace it with a condensing combi boiler. I already had Scottish Gas out to quote for doing the same work but their quote was laughable!

Job Description
To supply and install Worcester Greenstar Condensing Combination Boiler
complete with horizontal flue in garage.
To remove boiler, cylinder and water tanks.
To connect new boiler to existing system.
To connect to existing hot and cold in utility.
To take condensate to waste or a soak away.
To upgrade gas supply to boiler position.
To move hall radiator along wall in order for future work to be possible.
To move hot and cold pipes to existing shower to allow cupboards to be removed. To cap of gas fire under floor.
To install a CO Detector.
To flush system and input inhibitor on completion.

Price includes associated materials and labour.

As above but with Worcester Greenstar 34Cdi Condensing Combination Boiler.
For The Sum of £2800.28 including Vat

As above but with Worcester 38Cdi Condensing Combination Boiler.
For The Sum of £2954.82 including Vat

To install Worcester magnet filter at the same time as the boiler.
For The Sum of £138.40 including Vat

Both boilers have a 7 year warranty but will increase to 8 years if filter is installed

You may notice that've left of a thermostat. That's at my request as I'm going to get Hive Active Heating installed. I'm going to get them back to quote for replacing the existing single panel radiators with new larger double panel radiators and new TRV's this week (Any advice?). The heating is an important area to get right, due to my spinal injury I can't regulate my body temperature properly, my body can't shiver when I'm cold so I'm extremely sensitive to any change temperature. I generally have my thermostat set to about 22oC which provides a comfortable environment.

I was holding out to try and replace the kitchen before moving in, however I don't think it's possible with the budget I have. Once the major works are complete and I've sold my flat then I'll revisit the kitchen and will hopefully be able to spend more on it.

 

[Valo]

I've just agreed to go ahead with a my central heating upgrade with my recommended local Accredited Worcester Bosch gas fitter.

New System
Worcester Bosch 38CDi Boiler (8yr warranty)
Worcester Magnetic Filter
7x Stelrad Softline Radiators (Danfoss TRV's)
2x Heated Towel Rails

Gas Fire removal
Installation of pipework for 2nd Thermostatic Shower

Once the system is in and I've got broadband up and running, Hive Active Heating will be installed to finish the system off.

 

[Valo]

That's my joiner started with the works today. When the old hot water tank from the Hall Cupboard has been removed next week with the new boiler installation, we can really get cracking with reorganising the room layouts at the back of the house.

I'll hopefully try and get some photos taken and posted over the next few days.

 

[DiCe!]

Moving at a good pace, interested by the hive system

 

[Valo]

It's been a busy few days. My joiner (Dougy) has really got stuck in, he started on Wednesday, last week (19th February)

Jobs Done So Far...

• Removed the stud wall between the Kitchen and Dining room
• Taken off all the old doors
• Widened the existing doorways to accommodate wheelchair access
• Removed the mirrored wardrobe from the room that'll be my office/study/computer room
• Knocked the new doorway into my office/study/computer room.
• Removed the old door surrounds and dado rail
• Gutted hall and airing cupboard in preparation to knock through into en-suite

Couple of photos from Wednesday



Kitchen/Dining Room wall now removed. The doorway closest to the Kitchen worktop (old kitchen door) has since been boarded out.



Dougy and Callum working in my Study. Callum is leaning against the new doorway that they've cut into the room, again the old doorway has since been boarded out.

The new central heating system (Boiler and Radiators) has started to be installed today with the old water tank and associated pipe work being removed from the airing cupboard in the hall, the old boiler removed from the garage and radiators removed and replaced with more powerful double panel units. The installers are hopeful to have the new system fully installed by Wednesday. Once that job is done Dougy can knock the Hall storage and Airing cupboards through together and also into the existing en-suite to form my new wet room shower and get it boarded out.