Disability Accommodation Cost Guides

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Accessible House?

Building a completely accessible home costs $100 to $300 per square foot. Most modern homes already follow guidelines for wheelchair accessible doors and hallways. You’ll save money by building only on one level and considering all disabilities when constructing. Pricing varies by location and disability. Talk to a local ADA contractor for a consultation and quote today.

Cost to Retrofit a House for Accessibility

Retrofitting your home for accessibility cost $4,500 on average. But it’ll range depending on your home, location and the type of disability. The following cost guides break down pricing for each part of a renovation.

• Disabled accessibility remodeling costs: $800-$20,000

• Remodeling multiple rooms costs: $18,000-$75,000

• Adding an addition costs: $10,000-$75,000+

How to Make a House Wheelchair Accessible?

Ramps

Installing or repairing a ramp for accessibility costs $100 to $200 per linear foot. You can also purchase removable, temporary and portable ramps for $200 to $5,000. You’ll need to find out what municipal building codes, apply to ramps outside your home or building.

• Ramp building costs: $1,000-$3,000

• Repairing a ramp costs: $550-$2,000

Doorways

Widening a doorway costs $700 to $2,500 per door. Interior doors cost less, but exterior doors on modern homes already have enough clearance.

Stairs and Elevators

Stair lifts, elevators and railings cost $1,000 to $60,000 to install, but only a few hundred dollars to fix. You’ll need these for retrofitting for persons with mobility impairments or wheelchairs.

• Chair lift installation costs: $1,500-$5,000

• Railing installation costs: $1,000-$2,500

• Elevator installations cost: $2,500-$60,000

• Repairing elevators costs: $200-$500

Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen costs $13,000 to $38,000. It’ll cost the same for either accessibility reasons or just to update the look.

Hallways

Widening a hallway costs $30,000 to $40,000. It’s often more reasonable to build new or consider opening your floorplan to eliminate hallways. You’ll need to hire a local structural engineer or architect.

Bathroom

Remodeling a bathroom to accommodate various disabilities costs $3,000 to $15,000, or $9,000 on average. Bathroom renovations cost $6,000 to $15,000 on average for aesthetic upgrades, so it’s a good time to combine the two.

ADA Accommodations for Home Office

ADA accommodations for your home office cost $50 to $5,000. Some of this cost might come from your employer. Many home accommodations aren’t covered by insurance but might get you a tax break. Talk to your employer and your accountant about options and costs before investing.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional ADA Contractor

Due to regional variations in code requirements and federally mandated disability accommodations, you’ll want to at least discuss options with a contractor. Throughout your remodel, you’ll likely want to hire multiple contractors if you’re acting as your own general contractor. To turn the project over to the pros, start with a local architect or general contractor near you.