Aging-in-place renovations require research
Designing homes for “aging in place” and multigenerational living are specialties of Homeworks Construction. Company founder and CEO Jim Byxbee noted that approximately 80 percent of Homeworks’ new custom homes and remodeling projects in recent years have involved incorporating “age-friendly” features or structural modifications to accommodate several generations of a family in the same household.
“Our staff includes certified aging-in-place specialists, so Homeworks is uniquely qualified to serve clients who are planning for the future or creating an environment that will accommodate older family members, who may be experiencing lessened mobility,” Byxbee said.
“In Hawaii, multigenerational living is a prevalent lifestyle, particularly now with the escalating cost of real estate. People are upgrading and maximizing space in existing residences rather than move to another house that provides greater convenience, such as a single-level structure, or into a senior living community.
“Utilizing ground floor space that previously may have been a lanai or a garage, or a larger-than-needed yard, can often be converted into a second master bedroom and bath, or into a ‘mother-in-law unit’ with a wetbar and separate entrance. Upper levels can be renovated to accommodate the younger members of the household.
“Creating privacy for all family members is always a consideration, but it’s something our builders and designers are capable of dealing with successfully.”
Byxbee added that members of the “baby-boomer” generation, who are remodeling or building new, should consider basic aging-in-place features, such as wider than standard doorways and hallways, barrier-free or walk-in showers, a drain in the bathroom floor, ramp entry to the home interior from the garage, electric plug-ins at reachable levels and blocking in bathroom walls for future installation of grab-bars.
The next Homeworks seminar, hosted by certified aging-in-place specialist Kim Green on July 7, will focus on age-friendly design and remodeling, as well as financing. Guild Mortgage sales manager Mark James will discuss various financing options offered by Guild, including home equity lines of credit.
FREE “BUILD NEW OR REDO SEMINAR”
Tuesday, July 7, 6-8 p.m., Homeworks Building, 2111 S. Beretania St. Free parking in lot behind building. For reservations and directions, call Homeworks at 955-2777.
HOMEWORKS CONSTRUCTION
contact // 955-2777
address // 2111 S. Beretania St.