You might pay anywhere between $800 to $8,000 to add accessibility features to your home
Home accessibility modifications improve life for those with mobility impairments, deafness, visual impairment, or other disabilities. Today, there are more options to make your home more accessible than there ever were before. Modifications like installing ramps, widening hallways for wheelchair mobility, and adding walk-in tubs are a few common upgrades.
Making your home more accessible typically costs $800 to $8,000, with a $4,400 national average. But this completely depends on the needs of the individual—after all, accessibility features for older adults will be different than upgrades for someone in a wheelchair.
How Much Do Accessibility Modifications Cost?
The cost of accessibility can differ depending on the modifications you need to make. If you’re just moving to a new location, there are certain assistance programs for people with disabilities that can help with the cost of making your home more accessible. But if you’re looking to update an existing home, you’ll likely have to cover the costs yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the cost factors.
Accessible Modification Costs for Your Home's Interior
Installing accessibility features in your home will cost you anywhere from $800 to $8,000 or more, depending on your particular needs. Typically, mobility accessibility renovations are more expensive than modifications for sight and hearing impairments.
Common accessibility alterations include:
Adding grab bars and handrails: $100–$500 each
Interior railings: $1,000 on average
Cabinet and sink installations: $1,500–$8,500
Installing non-slip flooring: $3–$22 per square foot
Installing a stairlift: $1,500–$5,000 each
Install an elevator in your home: $2,500–$60,000
Lowering thermostat height: $75–$300 for each unit
Converting to bathrooms and kitchens that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines: $9,000–$40,000
Widening a doorway: $700–$2,500
Widening hallways: $30,000–$40,000
Accessible Modification Costs for Your Home's Exterior
Exterior accessibility features (think ramps, railings, door handles) can cost anywhere from $200 to $16,000 or more. Here are some common modifications and typical costs:
Adding a wheelchair ramp to an existing deck: $1,000–$4,000
Adding railings: $1,000–$2,500
Installing a front porch or patio lift: $2,000–$6,000
Widening paths: $650–$2,000, depending on the length of the path
Increase outdoor lighting: $2,000–$6,000
Adding motion sensing lights: $200–$600
Changing the landscaping: $300–$16,000, depending on square footage
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Professional to Make a Home Accessible Near You?
The amount you pay to make your home accessible depends on factors such as the labor cost, local cost of living, and number and types of modifications needed. Here’s the average range for accessibility modifications by state:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Wisconsin | $800 – $8,000 |
| California | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| Maine | $800 – $8,000 |
| Colorado | $600 – $19,000 |
| Nebraska | $800 – $8,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $600 – $6,000 |
| South Carolina | $800 – $8,000 |
What Factors Influence the Cost to Make the Home Accessible?
Pricing factors for accessible upgrades depend on:
The number of rooms you need to make accessible
Whether your home requires wheelchair accessibility
The types of rooms to modify for accessibility (bathrooms, bedrooms, outside areas, and kitchens)
The location of your home, as higher cost of living areas will affect the price
Whether the room(s) need remodeling or only modifications
If walls need widening to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Home Wheelchair Accessible?
To make a home fully wheelchair accessible, expect to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $60,000 or more. You may need to:
Install a ramp
Reconfigure your bathrooms so they are wheelchair-friendly with enough room to turn around
Install doors that are at least 32 inches wide
Install a stairlift
Widen hallways
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Bathroom Fully Accessible?
The cost of making a bathroom accessible can be $3,000 to $15,000, or $9,000 on average. Building a brand new bathroom addition costs $5,000 to $35,000. Some factors you should consider adding are:
| Accessibility Factor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Installing grab bars | $100 – $500 |
| Lowering cabinets/vanity | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Installing modified doors | $700 – $1500 |
| Installing a modified toilet | $400 – $1,000 |
| Installing a sink and faucet | $100 – $1,000 |
| Adding a walk-in tub | $1,000 – $17,000 |
| Converting a bathtub into a walk-in tub | $350 – $1,000 |
| Installing a wheelchair-accessible shower | $2,000 – $7,500 |
| Installing a shower ramp | $16 – $300 |
FAQs About Making Your Home Accessible
Why should I build a ramp?
Some people with disabilities may have trouble getting up the porch steps, so a ramp up to the door may be necessary. If there is an emergency evacuation, it can be dangerous if there is no ramp.
What should I consider when making my home accessible?
These are some of the critical considerations when planning to make your home accessible:
How wide are your doorways, wheelchair ramps, hallways, and pathways? These should be at least 32 inches wide.
What are the bathroom needs of wheelchair users?
Do you need to lower any cabinetry or other fixtures to make them accessible for wheelchair users?
Is there enough room to turn around in the shower?
Is there a second story of the home that requires a stairlift?
Is there proper lighting outside in the dark? If not, a floodlight may be necessary.
