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

 

[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.

 

[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!

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[Valo]

New Central Heating Install

Monday to Wednesday this week saw the old boiler, water tank and single panel radiators replaced with a new central heating system.

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

My local independent gas fitter has done a superb job replacing the system. They've connected up a basic thermostat to allow me some control until I've moved in and got broadband up and running to allow me to install the Hive system.

Now that the old water tank has been removed my joiner can now knock the the water tank cupboard and the old hall cupboard together and into the existing En-suite to form my new wet room. Once this is done and the new walls are up and the wet room has begun to take shape the Gas fitters will be back to install the second hall radiator, the towel rail in the wet room and flush the system. The pipework for the new thermostatic shower in my wet room is also in place.

Even with the new system on tick over the difference is brilliant. I can't wait to make full use of it.

Picture time.....



Old Boiler in the Garage



Old water tank in what was the Airing Cupboard, the space to the right is the now gutted old Hall cupboard. These two cupboards will now be knocked through to the existing En-suite behind them next week.



New Boiler part way through installation



The finished install!

 

[Valo]

Looking good, doesn't get much better than a Worcester-Bosch combi. Major improvement on what was there before.

You're not wrong there! The heating system was the one part of the home report the house fell down on. Now that it's been replaced and improved, not only will the system perform more efficiently that should transfer into ££ in my pocket....hopefully even more so once the Hive thermostat is installed

 

[Valo]

A few more photo's



Now that the water tank has been removed, the dividing wall between the two Hall cupboards has been taken down and this space is ready to be knocked through into the en-suite. The knock through and the new Hall stud wall should be done this week.



Wall has been cut in preperation of boarding out the new Hall cupboard. This again should hopefully be done this week.



The dividing wall between the Kitchen and Utility has now been taken down as well, which makes a big difference for turning around in a wheelchair at the end of the kitchen.You can also see one of the new double panel Stelrad Softline Radiators.

I received word yesterday that the building warrant has been granted for the structural change of replacing the back door with a set of french doors, I just need to wait on the paperwork to come through

 

[Valo]

i like your new floor plan. the old one had far too many walls and partitions...probably made the bungalow feel cramped imo =)

Yeah it felt cramped especially at the end of the end of the Hall where the bedrooms are as the Hall narrowed.

Subscribed as I'm embarking on a very similar project

Nice one! If I can be of any help just ask

 

[Valo]

It was another productive week last week. My joiner has knocked through into what was the old En-suite in the Master Bedroom and formed what will be the new Wet Room. The old door has been blocked off and the new doorway formed.



The Electrician has also started prep work for new down lighters in my Master Bedroom and the lowering of light switches throughout the whole house.



I'm going to use the MK Electric Avant range of Wide Rocker Switches throughout the house to start of with. I use these style of switches in my home now and find them perfect to use with my limited hand dexterity.



My long term plan is to hopefully automate the lights in some of the rooms using LightwaveRF, giving me control from my bed using my iPhone and over the web.

The Plasterer has also started to skim various walls and ceilings throughout the house.



The new Hall wall, where the old cupboards containing the water tank used to be. There will be a radiator installed on that Wall shortly, along with a heated towel rail in the new Wet Room to complete the new Central Heating system.



New small Hall Cupboard boarded out and plastered.



New Study Wall plastered.

Other Build News

• Work will stet on the Wet Room fit out on 31st March
• Electrician is going to run CAT6 around the house to terminate to a Wall mount cabinet in the Garage. Old work mate will do the Cabinet Install, Patch Panel Punch Down and Wall Plate termination.
• The Building Warrant has come through, so I can go ahead and replace the Single Backdoor with a new Double French Door.

 

[Valo]

Progress This Week

The plasterer/painter has finished all the plastering in the Hall and installed new coving, lining papered and given the it it's first coat of paint.



The vast majority of the prep work for the new Double Plug Sockets, Lowered Light Switches, and CAT6 Network points has also been done. It's just down to my electrician to now carry out the work.

The prep work for the removal of the old Back Door has also been done, now that the Building Warrant has come through. The new French Doors will be ordered shortly.



I've selected and ordered my flooring but I forgot to take a photo - The flooring I'm using is a textured wooden Karndean in The Hall, Livingroom, Study and Bedrooms.
I'm using a similar textured effect Tile for the Kitchen. I've started looking at Bathroom Tiles for the new Wet Room as well.

This week may see the Pre-finished Oak skirting boards and Internal Doors begin to be fitted. I'm also hopeful of making progress with replacing the UPVC Front Door with a new low threshold Composite Door with a Multipoint Electric Lock and Swing Arm Opening System, which can be operated by a radio fob. This will allow me to open my front door from anywhere in the house using a button on a wireless fob. I'm also looking at having a smart fob proximity access system installed to allow the front door to be unlocked without a typical key from the outside.

 

[Valo]

I'm loving following this as you go along. Cheers dude!

No problem...glad you're enjoying the thread!

 

[Valo]

It's been another good week on the build. My Master Bedroom along with the spare bedroom and study have all been plastered, if needed and have had their first coat of paint.



The new Pre-finished Oak Internal Doors and Skirting Boards have also been delivered ready to be installed when required.



Two of the doors for the Livingroom and Kitchen have been finished with an addition of a clear glass panel.

The electrician has also started to pull my structured cabling across the house. Every room in the house will have at least 2xCAT6 points. The CAT6 cabling will terminate in the Garage to a Wall Mounted Data Cabinet which will eventually house 24 Port Patch Panel, 24 Port Rack GB Switch, Router and my Drobo NAS



I've settled on the tiles and flooring for my new wet room. I just need to decide on the sink and tap. This needs to be done for the installation week starting Monday 31st.

This Week the new permanent Mono-blocked ramp to my Front Door will be constructed. The prep work will be continuing inside with the Living Room and Kitchen/Dining Room getting plastered and a coat of paint and the electrical work will continue with the Living Room and Kitchen/Dining Room. My local Gas Fitters who installed my new central heating are coming back this week to install the second hall radiator and to bring up pipes in my new wet room for the heated towel rail and new shower.

I've also had some encouraging meetings this week to find a new low threshold Front Door. I have the added complication that any Front Door needs to be suitable to use with an automatic swing opening arm and electric multipoint lock systems.

 

[Valo]

Waw, looking great! Nice looking bungalow too. Wish you all the best with the changes. Looks like you have a good team onboard.

Cheers! Yeah, I've got a good joiner who really knows what he's doing and most importantly takes pride in his work. The Electrician and Plasterer/Painter are friends of his as well, so there is no waiting around for trades to show up on certain days.