Hello everyone,
we have received a preliminary design and a quote from our builder. I would like to get your opinion on it.
It is planned as an accessible bungalow (about 131 sqm (1410 sq ft)) with 3 bedrooms and possibly a study room. Previously, instead of the study, there was a slightly larger kitchen and a somewhat bigger living room.
My opinion:
I would make the house a bit narrower on the street side, which would make the bedroom and child’s room 1 slightly smaller. Instead, the living room and kitchen would be extended, allowing the kitchen to be a bit larger (it currently feels too small to me).
On the other side, I have the option to make the carport a bit wider. I am trying to achieve an internal width of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) for the carport (because of wheelchair access).
I will also ask the builder what price difference it would make to have a concrete ceiling with insulation instead of a wooden beam ceiling, a knee wall height of maybe 30 cm (12 inches), and a roof pitch of 40 degrees, so that it would be possible to convert the attic space in the future (maybe after 25–30 years).
I would like to have a carport for two cars parked in tandem with a storage room planned, but I want to handle the construction myself or have it done elsewhere. The builder is asking €14,000 for a single carport with storage, which I think is too expensive.
We would really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
we have received a preliminary design and a quote from our builder. I would like to get your opinion on it.
It is planned as an accessible bungalow (about 131 sqm (1410 sq ft)) with 3 bedrooms and possibly a study room. Previously, instead of the study, there was a slightly larger kitchen and a somewhat bigger living room.
My opinion:
I would make the house a bit narrower on the street side, which would make the bedroom and child’s room 1 slightly smaller. Instead, the living room and kitchen would be extended, allowing the kitchen to be a bit larger (it currently feels too small to me).
On the other side, I have the option to make the carport a bit wider. I am trying to achieve an internal width of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) for the carport (because of wheelchair access).
I will also ask the builder what price difference it would make to have a concrete ceiling with insulation instead of a wooden beam ceiling, a knee wall height of maybe 30 cm (12 inches), and a roof pitch of 40 degrees, so that it would be possible to convert the attic space in the future (maybe after 25–30 years).
I would like to have a carport for two cars parked in tandem with a storage room planned, but I want to handle the construction myself or have it done elsewhere. The builder is asking €14,000 for a single carport with storage, which I think is too expensive.
We would really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
The floor plan is actually an existing house that has been renovated to be wheelchair accessible.
Find an architect experienced in barrier-free design or seek advice from an association. More can be gained from the available space. They also know about assistive options and the actual space requirements.
Many wheelchair-accessible floor plans found online are more suited for elderly care. No thresholds, but a rollator won’t fit, and while a nursing service can still access the bedroom or bathroom, that’s usually where the accessibility ends. Your needs are much greater than that.
Also, reconsider your room layout concerning the children. The second children’s bedroom is too small for a wheelchair. You want both children to be able to access every room at any time, which is your main reason for wanting a bungalow.
I would rearrange the rooms to eliminate the hallway. It is long and large, consuming space you don’t have.
Find an architect experienced in barrier-free design or seek advice from an association. More can be gained from the available space. They also know about assistive options and the actual space requirements.
Many wheelchair-accessible floor plans found online are more suited for elderly care. No thresholds, but a rollator won’t fit, and while a nursing service can still access the bedroom or bathroom, that’s usually where the accessibility ends. Your needs are much greater than that.
Also, reconsider your room layout concerning the children. The second children’s bedroom is too small for a wheelchair. You want both children to be able to access every room at any time, which is your main reason for wanting a bungalow.
I would rearrange the rooms to eliminate the hallway. It is long and large, consuming space you don’t have.
Important: A mistake on my part :-( The company planning our house is a builder or general contractor, not a developer. They do not offer land but plan and build.
Nordlys is right. It will definitely be a bungalow. A 30 or 35-degree roof pitch depends on the price (no offers received yet).
My last requests for the builder:
- Carport should be wide enough, so probably the house will be a bit narrower.
- A second sink (main water supply) in the bathroom, so the bathroom will probably be a bit larger.
- Bedroom can be smaller but must have space for a 3-meter (10 feet) wardrobe.
- A correction: instead of district heating, a gas heating system will be installed.
- Price offer for a steeper roof pitch.
- Price offer for a carport with a storage room.
- In the hallway, edges can possibly be rounded off (but he said it is unnecessary because the hallway is already wheelchair accessible. If needed, it can still be done).
- His suggestion: the door from the living room can be moved, resulting in more space in the living room and a slightly shorter hallway.
- I wanted more space in the kitchen for storage and countertop area. (I don’t know if this is possible or necessary. But I think a kitchen island is not a good idea since the living room would become a bit tighter.)
We will definitely get in touch with a medical supply store to review the entire plan. (Or maybe there is someone better for consulting?)
But honestly, I think the overall planning is not bad on one condition: that the medical supply store or a second specialist also agrees.
Nordlys is right. It will definitely be a bungalow. A 30 or 35-degree roof pitch depends on the price (no offers received yet).
My last requests for the builder:
- Carport should be wide enough, so probably the house will be a bit narrower.
- A second sink (main water supply) in the bathroom, so the bathroom will probably be a bit larger.
- Bedroom can be smaller but must have space for a 3-meter (10 feet) wardrobe.
- A correction: instead of district heating, a gas heating system will be installed.
- Price offer for a steeper roof pitch.
- Price offer for a carport with a storage room.
- In the hallway, edges can possibly be rounded off (but he said it is unnecessary because the hallway is already wheelchair accessible. If needed, it can still be done).
- His suggestion: the door from the living room can be moved, resulting in more space in the living room and a slightly shorter hallway.
- I wanted more space in the kitchen for storage and countertop area. (I don’t know if this is possible or necessary. But I think a kitchen island is not a good idea since the living room would become a bit tighter.)
We will definitely get in touch with a medical supply store to review the entire plan. (Or maybe there is someone better for consulting?)
But honestly, I think the overall planning is not bad on one condition: that the medical supply store or a second specialist also agrees.
Nordlys schrieb:
11ant: He wants to be able to expand later. So, 35 degrees. Period. That’s settled. At first, he wanted it, then he changed his mind, and now he seems to be considering whether to backtrack. With expansion, the steeper pitch is needed; without it, it makes no sense but still costs more.
Evolith schrieb:
The main bathroom will be too small for the wheelchair in about 10 years (if he needs the reclining model, which I assume he will). You don’t enter the bathroom with a reclining wheelchair but with a lift wheelchair. That fits fine.
Evolith schrieb:
The hallway, especially in the middle, should be thoroughly checked to see if turning a large wheelchair is possible. In practice, the powered wheelchair seems to be the more practical standard for testing. The semi-recumbent wheelchair you know is mainly found in palliative care, where mostly non-professionals provide home care. Otherwise, it is not a commonly used aid.
zizzi schrieb:
- Carport really wide enough, so probably make the house a bit narrower Also pay attention to length (due to rear ramp) and height (a minivan will likely be needed with a larger family).
zizzi schrieb:
But I think a kitchen island is not a good idea, since the living room will get a bit tighter.) You can forget about a TV kitchen; a wheelchair-accessible one is around 25 square meters (about 270 square feet).
zizzi schrieb:
We will definitely get in touch with a medical supply store to have the whole plan checked. (Or maybe there is someone better for advice?) Medical supply stores sell aids. For caregiving relatives, there are advisory and coordination centers (Beko). You can also contact health and nursing insurance providers (who will usually refer you to such centers), social welfare offices, Aktion Mensch, or the VdK. Sometimes district offices also have such advisory services.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
At first he wanted to do it, then he canceled it again, and now he seems to be considering whether to backtrack. With an extension, a steeper slope is needed; without it, it’s pointless but still costly.
You don’t enter the bathroom with a flatbed trolley, but with a pallet truck. That’s correct.
In practice, the electric wheelchair seems to me to be the more practical standard for testing. The semi-recumbent wheelchair you know well is mostly found in palliative care, where mostly non-professionals provide care at home. Otherwise, it is not a common aid.
Also pay attention to length (because of the rear ramp) and height (with a bigger family, a minivan is probably needed).
You can forget about a kitchen designed for television—it is wheelchair accessible only at about twenty-five square meters (270 square feet).
Medical supply stores sell mobility aids. For caregiving relatives, there are advisory and coordination offices (Beko). Alternatively, you can contact health and nursing insurance providers (who may in turn refer you there), social welfare offices, charity organizations like Aktion Mensch, or the VdK. Occasionally, district offices also have such advisory services. I have already mentioned that an attic extension is no longer an option. The entire preparation for the extension is simply too expensive for me.11ant schrieb:
You can forget about a TV kitchen; an accessible kitchen for wheelchair users usually requires around twenty-five square meters (270 square feet).
Medical supply stores sell assistive devices. For family caregivers, there are advisory and coordination centers (Beko). Alternatively, you can contact health and long-term care insurance providers (who will usually refer you to these centers), social welfare offices, organizations like Aktion Mensch, or the VdK. Sometimes district offices also offer such advisory services. What exactly do you mean by TV kitchen?
A conversation with a medical supply store won’t be an official consultation. It is an option for us because we have a fairly good relationship with the manager.
zizzi schrieb:
What exactly do you mean by TV kitchen? Well, those cooking show kitchens that are currently trendy to replicate at home. With an island (but without two mountains and railway traffic, SCNR).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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