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Most clients who decide to remodel their home for accessibility purposes do so following difficulties. ABD would like to promote the idea of doing it in anticipation of any needs and to ensure safe, comfortable, convenient and accessible dwellings for everyone.
“Universal design” is a general approach that provides maximum appeal and benefit for all age groups and abilities. It focuses on 4 questions:
- Is it easy to use and take care of? Example: single-control faucet with non-shiny surface
- Is it adaptable? Example: dishwasher drawers that can be used separately or together
- Is it accessible? Example: side-by-side refrigerators provide access to fridge and freezer from any height
- Is it safe? Example: bathroom grab bars
An increasing number of individuals are now responsible for aging parents or are raising grandchildren. Therefore, designers are faced with multiple needs and a challenge to accomodate wide ranges of size and ability.
People often believe these modifications are unattractive, but they don’t have to be. CAPS trained professionals can seamlessly incorporate changes into your existing style so that most visitors won’t recognize their ultimate purpose.
The CAPS designation is the only national program that trains remodelers how to design and implement aging-in-place modifications. Bob & Rita were the first in Colorado to earn their designations, and stongly encourage anyone interested in modifying their home to please call.
Information from www.NAHB.org |
We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children. -Native American proverb
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Build
FROM BOB'S DESK
 Bob Peterson, CGR, CAPS Here’s to hoping you are all having a great summer. Boy has it been hot!
Many times in this column, I have written
about being a “Professional” and the importance of making sure those you hire to do work on your home are true Professionals. This topic continues
to be an important one, as we at ABD seem to continue to get calls to look at projects that frankly have already been “started by others” and have gone wrong.
This is one of the toughest situations we can all be in. Whether it is you the Owner or us the Contractor,
it is always a bad situation when called in on one of these projects. We take care of them because that is what ABD is, but it would sure be cheaper and more pleasant to do the job from the start before all goes bad.
Sooner or later, every homeowner discovers the need or the desire to remodel or improve their home. Whether it is major or minor, we all face that dilemma, and who do we hire? This is usually
a very scary proposition. Where do I begin? How do I find someone who will do it right?
Here is a small list that may help!
- Develop an idea of what you want and need to do – write it down.
- Take this list of wants and needs and grade it into a list of must haves, desires and it would be nice to have, or A, B & C’s.
- Check to see if any one you know has used a good company or in this case ABD.
- Develop a budget, I know you have no idea what things will cost, but you should have some idea as to what you are willing and able to invest in your home. This is an investment.
- Collect pictures and make a file of what you like. Magazines, websites, etc. make good resources.
Then, Call the Professionals at ABD! We’ll do everything we can to make the project as easy as possible and will work hard to get you the best VALUE in your project and with quality and
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Mike Clark, Project Manager
Andy Kirkendall, Painter
Jeff Schultz, Carpenter