How to plan for retrofits to improve accessibility at home

For people with mobility challenges or disabilities, and for those whose needs change as they age, without the right modifications, a home can become difficult to navigate. Even a few centimetres can make a big difference when you're trying to fit a wheelchair through a doorway, step into a shower, or move safely around a kitchen.

Accessibility renovations can range from inexpensive fixes, such as better lighting and grab bars, to major projects involving ramps, lifts, or redesigned bathrooms. The key is understanding which changes can best fit your requirements, what they're likely to cost, and whether these retrofits impact your home insurance.

Why your home may need accessibility modifications

Accessibility modifications can help people with mobility, vision, or dexterity challenges move around their homes safely and independently. These adjustments can also be necessary after an injury or illness, or as your needs change over time with the onset of age.

Marnie Courage, an occupational therapist and founder and CEO of Incluzia, recommends prioritizing areas where safety and independence are most affected.

"The most impactful spaces to focus on are the entrance, the bathroom, and the bedroom, since these are where falls and functional decline most commonly show up first," she told LowestRates.

“Prioritization can consider how often a space is used and what risk it presents against how much a necessary change might cost”.

What accessibility modifications can you make to your home?

Modifications depend on your requirements and your home. Common options include:

• Wider doorways and entryways: More clearance can make it easier for those using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids to move around the home. A no-step entrance can also help significantly. 
• Ramps and lifts: Ramps can provide access to exterior steps, while porch lifts and stairlifts can help make multi-level homes easier to navigate.
• Bathroom modifications: Grab bars, raised toilets, curbless showers, and shower seating can make bathrooms safer and easier to use.
• Kitchen adaptations: Lower countertops, pull-out storage, and more accessible appliances can make using a kitchen easier for people with limited mobility.
• Flooring and lighting: Non-slip flooring, brighter lighting, and motion-activated lights can help reduce fall risks.
• Smart-home technology: Voice-activated assistants, smart locks, and automated lighting can reduce your need to reach, bend, or move around unnecessarily.
• Security systems: Video doorbells, cameras, and other smart security features can let homeowners monitor visitors without having to move quickly to the door.

When it comes to making mobility changes, Courage recommends addressing immediate needs as well as looking ahead. 

“An OT assessment looks not just at how someone functions today, but how their needs might evolve over the next two, five, and ten years,” says Courage. “That way, changes made now don't need to be redone later.”

How much do accessibility renovations cost?

The cost of an accessibility retrofit varies considerably depending on the home, location, and scope of work. A simple modification may cost a few hundred dollars, while structural changes or specialized equipment can run into tens of thousands.

Below is a table of rough cost ranges based on best available research.

Source: RenoHouse

These are rough planning figures, not quotes or national averages. Costs can vary significantly depending on the province, home layout, materials, and how much structural, plumbing, or electrical work is involved. 

Read more: Aging in place: Home modifications to help you age with dignity

Should you DIY accessibility renovations or hire a professional?

Some changes are relatively straightforward DIY projects, but homeowners should generally leave more complex projects to qualified and certified professionals. 

Courage says homeowners can consider outfitting threshold ramps (small wedge-shaped ramps that bridge raised doorways), lever handles, night lights, motion-sensor lights, and removing loose rugs or cords.

Professional input is advised for more involved installations, including:

• Grab bars: wall-mounted support rails, typically installed in bathrooms, that must be anchored into wall studs or blocking to safely bear a person's weight
• Stairlifts: motorized chairs that travel along a rail mounted to a staircase, carrying a seated user between floors
• Platform lifts: open vertical lifts that raise a person (often in a wheelchair) between levels, commonly used where a ramp isn't practical
• Home elevators: enclosed residential elevators that travel between floors
• Curbless showers: also called zero-threshold or roll-in showers, these have no raised lip or step at the entrance, allowing walkers and wheelchairs to roll straight in
• Ramp systems: permanent or modular ramps that replace or bypass exterior stairs

"If a mistake could cause a fall, an electrical hazard, or requires a permit, bring in a licensed professional," says Courage.

For larger projects, Courage recommends having a homeowner, occupational therapist, and renovator work together so the finished renovation addresses both current and future needs.

Can accessibility renovations affect your home insurance?

Accessibility features don't automatically mean lower home insurance premiums. Major renovations can, however, change a home's replacement cost or the risks an insurer needs to consider.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada generally recommends telling your insurer about renovations or additions because they may affect the coverage you need.

Before starting a major accessibility renovation, you can contact your insurer or broker to find out whether your policy would need to be updated. You can also ask whether security or smart-home features qualify for an insurance discount, as this varies by insurer.

Tips for planning an accessibility retrofit

To help you plan your accessibility retrofit, here are some tips and considerations: 

• Plan for your accessibility requirements. Start with your actual needs rather than a generic checklist. Courage says one common mistake is making accessibility changes without considering an individual's specific mobility, vision, and cognitive needs.
• Think ahead rather than after a health crisis: She also suggests thinking about accessibility proactively, rather than waiting for a fall or health crisis to force a renovation.
• Prioritize projects according to your budget and look into available funding. The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit allows qualifying individuals to claim up to $20,000 in eligible expenses per year. Eligible renovations must improve accessibility or reduce risk of injury in your home. The federal tax credit can cover eligible materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, plans, and permits, as well as qualifying professional work, but not DIY labour.
• Consult your insurance provider and municipality. Before major work begins, speak with your insurer and check whether you need permits. If construction will make your home difficult or unsafe to occupy, arrange suitable temporary accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know which accessibility modifications my home needs?

Start by assessing needs of the individual using the home, including their mobility, vision, balance, and dexterity. An occupational therapist can conduct a home assessment and help prioritize modifications based on current needs as well as plan for expected changes over time.

Do I need a permit for accessibility renovations?

Permit requirements depend on type of renovation work planned and where you live. Structural changes, plumbing, electrical work, and some major renovations may require permits, while simpler modifications may not. Check with your municipality before starting work.

Will accessibility renovations affect my home insurance?

Major renovations may change your home's replacement cost or risk profile, so it's a good idea to notify your insurer before starting significant work. Accessibility features don't automatically qualify you for a lower premium, although some security or smart-home features may be eligible for discounts depending on your insurer.

Can you claim accessibility renovations on your taxes in Canada?

Retrofits installed for accessibility needs may qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit. Eligible individuals can claim up to $20,000 in qualifying expenses per year, including certain renovations that improve accessibility or reduce the risk of harm in your home. 

What accessibility standards or building codes apply to home renovations in Canada?

Provinces and territories set their own building requirements, while municipalities may have additional permit and inspection requirements. The CSA/ASC B652 Accessible Dwellings standard provides recommendations for accessible residential design, but homeowners should check rules that apply in their specific jurisdiction.