AGING IN PLACE REMODEL
Make your home work for you at every stage of life. From simple grab bar blocking to full wheelchair-accessible renovations with curbless showers and widened doorways—modifications that look stylish, not medical.
Signs You Need Aging-in-Place Modifications
Mobility Changes
An older relative is coming to live with the family, or your own mobility has changed after an episode. Stairs, narrow doorways, and standard-height fixtures become daily obstacles.
Safety Concerns
A fall or health scare forces an urgent conversation about accessibility. What was once future planning becomes a remodel that needs to happen post haste.
Progressive Conditions
A degenerative disease means today's setup won't work tomorrow. Planning ahead for what quality of life looks like at each stage requires frank, sometimes uncomfortable conversations.
Inaccessible Bathrooms
Standard tub-shower combos with high thresholds, cramped spaces, and no grab points. The bathroom is where most in-home injuries happen—and where accessibility matters most.
Our Aging-in-Place Remodel Process
Timeline
Minor Modifications
Blocking for future handrails, grab bars, lever handles
2-4 weeks
Bathroom Accessibility
Curbless shower, lowered fixtures, 60" turning radius
6-12 weeks
Full Home Accessibility
Multiple rooms, kitchen roll-under, doorway widening, elevator
3-6 months
Blocking for future modifications is almost negligible cost during a larger remodel.
Sequence of Work
Accessibility Assessment
Evaluate current and future mobility needs
Design & ADA Planning
Layout for turning radius, fixture heights, clearances
Permits
Plumbing, electrical, structural as needed
Demo & Structural
Remove thresholds, widen doorways, reinforce walls
Plumbing & Electrical
Relocate fixtures, cut slab for curbless drains
Accessibility Fixtures
Grab bars, curbless shower, roll-under cabinetry
Finish & Safety Check
Non-slip surfaces, final fixture installation
Living Situation During Construction
For elderly clients who must stay in the house during a major remodel, we work at a higher level of protection and sanitation, approaching hospital levels of cleanliness. Plastic containment barriers and reverse pressure prevent dust from entering living areas. These containment additions add some cost but are non-negotiable for safety.
Aging-in-Place Remodel Cost in St. Petersburg
Minor Modifications
$5K–$15K
Blocking for future handrails, grab bars, lever handles, threshold removal
Bathroom Accessibility
$40K–$80K
Curbless roll-in shower, lowered fixtures, widened doorway, 60" wheelchair turning radius
Full Home Accessibility
$80K–$150K+
Multiple rooms, kitchen roll-under cabinets, elevator, whole-home doorway widening
What Drives Costs
- •Concrete slab cutting: Dropping subfloor for proper drainage slope in curbless showers
- •Doorway widening at structural joints: Multiple walls, electrical, pocket doors
- •Hospital-level containment: Dust protection for occupied homes with elderly residents
- •Specialized ADA fixtures and hardware: Grab bars, roll-under vanities, lever handles
What Causes Overruns
- •Hidden plumbing: Cast iron pipes rusted from decades of use
- •Structural complications: Wall intersections when widening doorways
- •Scope changes: Progressive conditions evolving beyond initial plan
- •Second-floor bathroom drainage: Floor joist direction vs. plumbing runs
VA Benefits & Grants
VA has programs for veterans, especially service-disabled veterans, that allow for significant mobility upgrades to their homes. These can substantially offset costs. For standard remodels, aging-in-place considerations add just 10-20% to the budget. And if we're simply laying in blocking for future modifications during a larger project, it's almost negligible cost.
Ready to Discuss Your Accessibility Remodel?
Get expert guidance on aging-in-place modifications for your St. Petersburg home—from simple grab bars to full wheelchair-accessible renovations.
Bathroom Accessibility Modifications
Key Modifications
- •Zero-threshold curbless roll-in showers
- •Grab bars and slide bar fixtures (dual-purpose as hand bars)
- •Lowered fixtures and ADA-height toilet
- •60-inch clear wheelchair turning radius
- •Roll-under vanity cabinets
- •Non-slip tile with adequate traction
Technical Considerations
Zero-threshold showers on concrete slab require cutting the slab to drop the subfloor and create proper drainage slope. Frame houses have different considerations—maintaining structural integrity of floor joists while getting piping lower.
Second-floor bathrooms: typically fewer mobility modifications needed (stairs already exist), but if elevator access exists, floor joist direction vs. plumbing run needs careful calculation.
Most bathrooms can get significant accessibility upgrades before running into a brick wall.
Doorway Widening & Kitchen Accessibility
Doorway Widening
Standard St. Pete doors: 30-32 inches. ADA minimum: 36 inches.
Mid-wall doorways: relatively easy—a little framing, drywall, new header.
Structural joints (where multiple walls meet): more complex—moving systems, switches, possibly pocket doors.
Remove thresholds and steps wherever possible; add ramps where needed.
Kitchen Modifications
Roll-under cabinets for wheelchair access allow the chair to partially or fully roll under countertops.
Island spacing: standard 36-42 inches for foot traffic, wheelchair needs 60 inches for clear turnaround.
Countertop height adjustments (lowering or raising as needed).
Careful attention to cabinet proximity and clearances.
Modern Accessibility That Doesn't Look Medical
Design-Forward ADA Fixtures
Tasteful, modern designs
ADA has been around long enough that modern, design-forward modifications exist. No stainless steel hospital grab bars needed—multiple finishes and designs available.
Stylish wheelchair-accessible tile
Wheelchair-accessible shower tile can be stylish with adequate traction. The look doesn't have to suffer.
Aesthetic premium
Slightly higher cost for aesthetic ADA fixtures, but worth it for a result that doesn't look medical.
Planning for Progressive Needs
Client-driven planning
Frank conversations about what needs are now and what they'll progress into. We've worked with clients with degenerative diseases, looking forward to what end stages would be like from a quality of life standpoint.
Blocking now for later
Blocking walls now for future handrails—negligible cost during a larger project. Prepare infrastructure for tomorrow while addressing needs today.
The biggest mistake families make
Avoiding the conversation about how needs will change. Phased approach works better: start with what's needed today, prepare for tomorrow.
WHY CHOOSE REVOLUTION FOR AGING-IN-PLACE REMODELS
What sets us apart from other contractors in St. Petersburg.
IN-HOUSE LABOR
Our skilled craftsmen are Revolution employees, not subcontractors. This means better quality control, accountability, and a team that truly cares about your project.
T&M TRANSPARENCY
Our Time & Materials billing model means you see exactly where every dollar goes. No hidden markups, no surprises—just honest, transparent pricing.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
Deep knowledge of St. Petersburg permits, historic district requirements, and coastal building codes. We navigate local regulations so you don't have to.
TILE & WATERPROOFING
Specialized expertise in wet areas that most contractors lack. Proper waterproofing and tile installation prevent costly failures down the road.
Aging-in-Place Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an aging-in-place remodel cost?
Range from negligible (blocking during a larger remodel) to standard remodel budget plus 10-20% for accessibility features. Minor modifications $5K-$15K; bathroom accessibility $40K-$80K; full home accessibility $80K-$150K+.
What are the most impactful modifications for the money?
Making spaces roll-in friendly: removing thresholds and steps, adding ramps, making showers walk-in with enough space for wheelchair turning radius, increased space for medical equipment. Generally, aging-in-place work is done based on need, so budget is somewhat secondary.
Do I need permits for accessibility modifications?
Plumbing, electrical, and structural changes require permits. Simple grab bar installs, lever handle swaps, and blocking don't. Cutting concrete slab for curbless showers always requires permits.
How does Revolution's T&M approach work?
Open book, weekly reports. You see every invoice. Especially important for accessibility work where discoveries behind walls can change scope. Our Time & Materials model means you pay for what we actually use, not a padded fixed bid.
Can aging-in-place modifications look stylish?
ADA fixtures now come in tasteful, modern designs with multiple finishes. No stainless steel hospital rails needed. Traction tile for wheelchair-accessible showers looks great. A slight cost premium for aesthetic options, but the result doesn't look medical.
Are there VA benefits or grants for accessibility remodels?
VA has programs for service-disabled veterans that allow for significant mobility upgrades. Various other grants exist. These can substantially offset the cost of aging-in-place modifications.
How do you handle construction for elderly clients still living at home?
Hospital-level containment: plastic barriers, reverse pressure to prevent dust outside the work area. Phased work to minimize disruption. These containment measures add some cost but are non-negotiable for safety.
How wide do doorways need to be for wheelchair access?
ADA minimum is 36 inches. Standard St. Pete doors are 30-32 inches. Widening mid-wall is straightforward. At structural joints where multiple walls meet, it's more involved—moving switches, framing, possibly pocket doors—but it can almost always be done.
LOVED BY OUR CUSTOMERS
Nothing means more to us than making our clients happy, unless perhaps it is making them so happy they come back to us or refer us to their friends and family!
"We had multiple contractors tell us that our 100-year old bungalow in Old Southeast should be torn down instead of remodeled. Revolution worked with us on an extensive plan to rebuild structural components and remodel the entire house. Now we have the best house in the block!"
"The guys at Revolution have done projects for us in two houses now. They added a master bathroom for us in northeast St Pete and then remodeled every square inch of a 4500-sq. ft house in Pinellas Pt. Through every challenge over two years of construction they have been there pushing our projects forward. We wouldn't use anybody else!"
"Awesome company! I had Revolution Contractors do some work on my house and did an amazing job!!! The guys there are great to work with and very professional and knowledgeable on there work. I am very happy they way there work came out and will be getting more work done on my house from them."
"Find them to be very professional, provide sufficient info for bidding, easy to contact, and most importantly they pay good. All and all NuTrend really enjoys a very productive and lucrative relationship with Revolution Contractors would recommend them and do often"
"On a challenging structural project for an investment property Revolution saw me through all sorts of headaches with the building department and were able to carry off multiple layout changes with gorgeous results. They've done multiple projects for my family as well as my group of closest friends and are now working on my primary residence!"
"Revolution Contractors have helped my family on numerous projects, providing guidance and honesty throughout all projects. The crew is hardworking and reliable. The owners are quick to respond and very honest. Definitely would recommend!"
