Floor Cleaner & Maintenance Tips for Your New Flooring

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Get the most of the investment you made in having a flooring contractor install brand-new floors with regular care and maintenance.

Here are several floor maintenance and cleaning tips by flooring type:

Hardwood Floor Cleaner Care

Regular sweeping or wiping with a dusting cloth is all that’s needed for day-to-day upkeep. When deeper cleaning is necessary, use a product that’s specifically formulated for hardwood and avoid using too much since liquids of any kind in excess can damage your floor. A few times a year, you can polish the floor with a water-based polish that’s formulated not to cause waxy buildups or give off harmful toxins. Don’t use soap-based or steam cleaners, or a water-and-vinegar solution, which can dull the finish.

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Cleaner Care

These tile floors can stand up to a lot, but they’re likely to need frequent cleaning if they’re in the kitchen or bath. Wipe up spills as they happen, but do test any cleaning products in small, inconspicuous areas to make sure they’re safe for your particular tile. Vacuum or sweep before wet-cleaning, and rinse with clear water after cleaning to ensure you remove any cleaning solution that may be left behind. Grout should have been sealed shortly after your floor was installed; use only those cleaning products that are deemed safe for sealed grout joints.

Natural Stone Tile Cleaner Care

Most stone tile is porous, so you’ll want to care for it differently than you would ceramic tile. Because natural stone can actually be scratched by dirt, you’ll want to dust or vacuum it to make sure no abrasive particles on on the stone when you apply a cleaning solution. As with hardwood, avoid the use of even heavily diluted water-vinegar solutions, which are acidic enough to damage the stone. Neutral cleaners are best and should be formulated specifically for the type of stone you have.

Vinyl Cleaner Care

It’s easy to keep vinyl looking good with simple care. Sweep it frequently to prevent dirt from becoming ground in. Heavy-duty cleaners aren’t necessary, but a cleaner made just for no-wax flooring (older vinyl flooring needed waxing) won’t leave residue. Avoid using too much water, though, because it can seep into seams and edges and break down the glue bond that holds your floor in place.

Laminate Floor Cleaner Care

You may have chosen laminate due to its durability and easy care, but it will need regular attention. Wipe up normal spills with a damp cloth and sweep or vacuum the floor with your vacuum cleaner’s hard floor attachment. Don’t wet-mop or wash laminate with water, oil-soap detergent or any liquid, which could lead to warping, delamination or even the voiding of the manufacturer’s warranty. There are a number of cleaning products on the market made just for laminates.

Bamboo Cleaner Care

Although bamboo has moisture-resistant properties, avoid using water to clean it since excess moisture will dull bamboo’s finish. Clean up spills with a dry mop or towel and never use wax-based products, bleach, abrasive cleaners, ammonia or vinegar. As with most types of flooring materials, there are specially formulated products available to deep-clean your new bamboo floors.

Carpeting Cleaning Care

At a minimum, vacuum your new carpet every week and vacuum more frequently in high-traffic areas and if you have pets. A solution of mild dishwashing detergent in water should take care of most stains, but for heavy stains, a steam-cleaning machine or wet vacuum may be needed. Check the manufacturer’s warranty on how often a professional steam cleaning is required to maintain the warranty; it may be required every 18 to 24 months.

Need a flooring installation expert? Call on Contractor Connection.

Whether you need to have your flooring repaired or replaced, we have the expert flooring contractor for you. The workmanship of the contractors in our network is backed by a five-year warranty and contractors have already been verified to have the insurance and licensing that gives you peace of mind. Being matched to the right contractor is easy — simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page to start your free, no-obligation estimate.

Tips For Planning Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

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There’s much more to planning a new bathroom than just choosing tile and fixtures. With its very frequent use, the choices you make in the planning stages will have a great impact on how well your new room meets your needs, and for how long.

Here’s what to consider as you’re planning a bathroom renovation:

Determine how you’ll use the room.

If a long soak in the tub with soothing music is your idea of time well spent, your dream bath may look very different than that of someone who showers quickly and heads out the door. Start your planning with an assessment of how you will really use your remodeled bathroom, which can help you save money by foregoing features that aren’t functional for you.

Maximize your investment.

According to Remodeling Magazine, a mid-range bathroom renovation is a good investment, with up to 72 percent of your costs being recouped if you sell your home. Even a more extensive remodel will offer good returns of about 63 percent. To ensure you realize those types of gains, your new bathroom should be in line not only with the style of your home, but also the norms for your neighborhood. A $50,000 bathroom in an area where homes average $200,000 won’t net you a good percentage at resale.

Plan for the future.

For those with no plans to ever live anywhere but in their current homes, the design phase is time to look far ahead. Consider how your physical needs will change as you age and determine how your bathroom can accommodate those changes down the road. While you may not need universal design features such as grab bars anytime soon, your new bathroom plan can still leave room for such features to be easily added later on.

Create a plan you can stick with.

Changing your mind in the middle of your bathroom remodeling project is almost guaranteed to do two things: cost you more money and delay completion. To avoid this, take plenty of time (up to six months is often recommended) to plan every detail. Try not to be distracted by new products, materials or trends that may pop up once work is started. If after spending months planning, however, you still don’t feel confident in your choices, consider hiring a bathroom designer. It will be money well spent on having a plan that you’re happy with.

Don’t let the footprint hold you back.

Perhaps your budget dictates that you need to keep the same footprint as your current bathroom. You can still make the same space feel much larger using a few tricks of the design trade. Pedestal sinks can make the room look more spacious since they allow less broken-up floors, for instance, while glass shower doors or glass doors instead of shower curtains on tubs take the eye all the way to the back of the room rather than interrupting it. Using a large mirror instead of a small medicine cabinet mirror can visually double the space around the vanity.

Harness the power of lighting.

Well-designed lighting can make the simplest, smallest bathroom a showplace. Best of all, it can be included for a fraction of the price of more expensive features. Take time to do your research to learn how lighting around vanity mirrors can be used to eliminate shadows, how your choice of bulbs affects task lighting and how ceiling and side fixtures can work together to create an inviting but well-lit space.

Do DIY projects where you can.

A qualified bathroom remodeling contractor is indispensable in getting a new bathroom that looks great, functions well and is properly constructed to prevent future water leaks or damage, but there are a few tasks that you can save on by doing them yourself. Talk to your bathroom renovation contractor before work starts about painting, installing towel bars, installing baseboard trim or other projects you’re comfortable taking on.

Ensure your plan’s success with Contractor Connection.

A qualified bathroom remodeling contractor can take the worry out of planning your project — and we can take the worry out of finding a great contractor. Every bathroom renovation contractor in our network has been thoroughly vetted to ensure they have the credentials to do the job right. With a five-year workmanship warranty and our matching service at no cost to you, Contractor Connection is a smart move. Simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page to begin the free estimate process now.

Bathroom Remodeling

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Bathrooms may be the smallest rooms in the house, but they can have the greatest impact on daily living. Not only are they likely to be the most-used space in your house, the quality of their construction can have an effect on the integrity of your home. Done right, your new bathroom will function as well and look great; done wrong, it could be a source of headaches for a long while. Because poorly constructed bathrooms can lead to water intrusion, damage and mold, it’s important to have a top-quality contractor do the job.

If you’re about to hire a bathroom remodeling contractor, the following tips can help you make the right choice.

Have a clear plan.

You may not need to provide a contractor with finished floor plans for your bathroom renovation project, but you should have very definite ideas about the room’s size, layout, fixtures and materials. Potential contractors will need to know if your bathroom’s footprint is changing and whether plumbing and electrical lines will need to be moved or expanded. Being able to tell contractors what the finished product should be allows them to provide more accurate estimates, and giving each contractor the same specs allows you to more easily compare estimates.

Get estimates in writing.

Verbal estimates won’t leave you any recourse if you run into problems with your contractor later. Get all estimates — preferably three — in writing. Read them carefully, ask questions and make sure it fully describes the work to be done. For accurate comparison of bids among multiple contractors, ask that the estimate include an itemization of labor and material costs, and profit margin.

Confirm the contractor’s credentials.

It takes time and legwork, but it’s essential to thoroughly check out any bathroom remodeling contractor you’re thinking of hiring. These are just a few aspects you’ll need to look into:

  • Proper licensing: Don’t rely on the contractor’s word alone that he or she meets all of the licensing requirements for your state, city and type of project. A bathroom renovation almost always involves plumbing and electrical work, which is usually well-regulated, so it’s critical to confirm a contractor’s qualifications.
  • Proper insurance: Never work with a contractor who won’t provide proof of insurance. Once you have their information, verify that the contractor’s insurance policy is in full effect.
  • Financial stability: Investigate the contractor’s standing with suppliers, your local Better Business Bureau, your state’s consumer protection agency, and subcontractors if you can. Ask if the contractor is willing to provide financial statements from his or her bank. This involves a lot of work, but can help you avoid disaster.
  • Customer references: Make sure contractors provide you with several names of customers they’ve worked with on recent projects. Find out if those customers were satisfied and if they would hire the same contractor again.

Read the fine print.

Contracts can be confusing, but your written agreement with a contractor is your best protection. Make sure you understand every aspect of your contract, from how subcontractors will be paid, to how change requests will be completed and billed. Your contract should also define what percentage of the total cost will be required as a deposit in order for work to begin, and how and when remaining payments will be made. In any case, you should never be asked to pay in cash or to put down more than about a third of the total cost as a downpayment. The final payment should not be made until all items on your punch list have been completed to your satisfaction.

Need to check out a contractor? Contractor Connection has already done it for you.

Making all the choices involved with the design and layout of your new bathroom is work enough without having to vet the qualifications of multiple bathroom renovation contractors. That’s why Contractor Connection matches you with a contractor who’s met our stringent requirements in order to be part of our network. Your contractor’s workmanship will be covered by a three-year warranty — the industry’s best — and our online tools let you keep up with your project’s progress every step of the way. Our matching service is free, so simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page to be matched with a top-quality contractor in your area.

Tips For Hiring A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

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Bathrooms may be the smallest rooms in the house, but they can have the greatest impact on daily living. Not only are they likely to be the most-used space in your house, the quality of their construction can have an effect on the integrity of your home. Done right, your new bathroom will function as well and look great; done wrong, it could be a source of headaches for a long while. Because poorly constructed bathrooms can lead to water intrusion, damage and mold, it’s important to have a top-quality contractor do the job.

If you’re about to hire a bathroom remodeling contractor, the following tips can help you make the right choice.

Have a clear plan.

You may not need to provide a contractor with finished floor plans for your bathroom renovation project, but you should have very definite ideas about the room’s size, layout, fixtures and materials. Potential contractors will need to know if your bathroom’s footprint is changing and whether plumbing and electrical lines will need to be moved or expanded. Being able to tell contractors what the finished product should be allows them to provide more accurate estimates, and giving each contractor the same specs allows you to more easily compare estimates.

Get estimates in writing.

Verbal estimates won’t leave you any recourse if you run into problems with your contractor later. Get all estimates — preferably three — in writing. Read them carefully, ask questions and make sure it fully describes the work to be done. For accurate comparison of bids among multiple contractors, ask that the estimate include an itemization of labor and material costs, and profit margin.

Confirm the contractor’s credentials.

It takes time and legwork, but it’s essential to thoroughly check out any bathroom remodeling contractor you’re thinking of hiring. These are just a few aspects you’ll need to look into:

  • Proper licensing: Don’t rely on the contractor’s word alone that he or she meets all of the licensing requirements for your state, city and type of project. A bathroom renovation almost always involves plumbing and electrical work, which is usually well-regulated, so it’s critical to confirm a contractor’s qualifications.
  • Proper insurance: Never work with a contractor who won’t provide proof of insurance. Once you have their information, verify that the contractor’s insurance policy is in full effect.
  • Financial stability: Investigate the contractor’s standing with suppliers, your local Better Business Bureau, your state’s consumer protection agency, and subcontractors if you can. Ask if the contractor is willing to provide financial statements from his or her bank. This involves a lot of work, but can help you avoid disaster.
  • Customer references: Make sure contractors provide you with several names of customers they’ve worked with on recent projects. Find out if those customers were satisfied and if they would hire the same contractor again.

Read the fine print.

Contracts can be confusing, but your written agreement with a contractor is your best protection. Make sure you understand every aspect of your contract, from how subcontractors will be paid, to how change requests will be completed and billed. Your contract should also define what percentage of the total cost will be required as a deposit in order for work to begin, and how and when remaining payments will be made. In any case, you should never be asked to pay in cash or to put down more than about a third of the total cost as a downpayment. The final payment should not be made until all items on your punch list have been completed to your satisfaction.

Need to check out a contractor? Contractor Connection has already done it for you.

Making all the choices involved with the design and layout of your new bathroom is work enough without having to vet the qualifications of multiple bathroom renovation contractors. That’s why Contractor Connection matches you with a contractor who’s met our stringent requirements in order to be part of our network. Your contractor’s workmanship will be covered by a five-year warranty — the industry’s best — and our online tools let you keep up with your project’s progress every step of the way. Our matching service is free, so simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page to be matched to a top-quality contractor in your area.

Basement Remodeling: What To Know Before You Begin

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Your unfinished basement may be filled with storage boxes or completely empty, but either way, it’s packed with potential. If you’re thinking about finishing your basement space, there are several things to take into consideration before you hire a basement remodeling contractor.

Inspect and Repair Basement

Covering up existing problems with new drywall, ceilings or flooring is asking for trouble. You’ll almost certainly end up having to replace those materials as they’re damaged by the spread of problems. If you have an issue with dampness — as most basements do at some point — inspect every area of your basement to find the sources of moisture. Make sure water isn’t entering the basement from exterior walls and that the ground around your house slopes away from the foundation. Inspect your gutters as well, since water can accumulate in downspouts and make its way inside.

Get Your Basement Up to Code

Contact your local authority about building codes that may apply to your basement remodeling project. There may be code that relates to boiler rooms and laundry rooms framing, for instance, if you plan to have those closed off from the main living areas. Since plumbing and electrical work is likely going to be a part of your project, you’ll need to get familiar with permit and licensing requirements as well.

Codes may also affect your ceiling height. If they call for height you don’t have (which could be a minimum of seven feet), you may either need to go to the expense of lowering your concrete floor or having piping and/or ducts relocated. If either of these solutions is necessary, you’ll need to rely on the expertise of a professional basement finishing contractor.

Your planning should start with determining how you want to use the space. Will it include accommodations for guests? If so, consider a full bath and a kitchen area if space allows. Is it more for entertaining friends as well as family? A half-bath/powder room and wet bar would be worth the costs.

Unless you’re able to relocate equipment such as your hot water heater or furnace, start sketching your layout with those in place first and work out from there. Keep in mind the space needed to perform work or maintenance on the equipment, which is about two to three feet of clearance.

Planning for sump pump backup

Flood prevention is an important part of your basement remodeling plan. The cost of having a backup sump pump system installed at the beginning of your project can save you thousands of dollars down the line. If your main pump should fail due to a power outage, clogging or some other issue, your backup system can take over. It should be redundant, which means it should be completely separate and standalone from your main system.

Fight mold before it can begin

A basement is the perfect breeding ground for mold, so plan ahead to combat its growth. In addition to repairing existing problems as mentioned above, you can help prevent mold by sealing surfaces with paint. Use a primer that’s specifically for use on masonry, then coat your walls with a latex paint and your floor with an epoxy or enamel formulated for the surface.

Since mold has to have approximately 70 percent relative humidity to thrive, plan on keeping out humid summer air with weather stripping around doors and windows. Insulate cool surfaces, such as ducts or pipes, to prevent condensation. You may also need a dehumidifier that’s powerful enough to keep relative humidity at or below 65 percent.

Thinking about remodeling your basement? Think Contractor Connection.

A free, no-obligation estimate is just a click away with Contractor Connection’s matching service. Our contractors back their work with a five-year workmanship warranty and the matching service is free — you pay only for the work your contractor performs. Plus, our expert network of contractors has already been vetted to ensure that they’re properly licensed, insured and qualified to do your basement finishing project right. Get start now — just enter your ZIP code at the top of the page.

Choose the Right Basement Flooring, Wall and Ceiling Materials

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A basement has an environment unlike any other room in your house. Below-grade spaces come with some challenges (mostly water-related), but with a basic understanding of the types of materials that are appropriate for basements, you can minimize some of the problems that dampness there can cause. Here’s what you need to know before you call a basement remodeling contractor for your project.

Flooring

There are actually two floors to address in your basement remodeling project: the subfloor and the finish floor. Getting both of these right will go a long way toward warding off problems later.

For your subfloor, look for materials that lock together and are made of polystyrene. You can use a plywood subfloor on two-by-fours as well. The goal is to lift your finish floor above the moist ground. For your finish floor, inorganic flooring such as ceramic tile, porcelain tile or concrete are good choices. Avoid solid hardwood altogether, and do your homework before using other materials that can be affected by moisture, such as low-pile carpet or laminates.

Walls

Materials used for walls in a basement should have qualities that do a number of things, such as provide insulation, enhance soundproofing and be resistant to mold and water. Wall materials should have an R-13 insulation rating at minimum or be a product to which insulation can easily be added. There are hard-board insulated wall panels on the market that are designed specifically for use in damp basement environments and that allow vapor to permeate and disperse. If you choose such a material, look for one that includes warranty coverage against mold and moisture.

Also avoid wall materials that give mold the “food” it loves, such as the paper backing on drywall. Solid inorganic wall panels are available that don’t give mold what it needs to grow.

Ceilings

If ducts and pipes are part of your basement ceiling — and if local codes require a height of seven feet or more — you may not be able to have a single-level, smooth ceiling. If you do have the space, however, there are a number of ceiling options for you.

You can install a suspended or drop ceiling that forms a continuous surface with acoustical panels that fit into a grid. It can hide all of your ductwork while still allowing fast access to it. If you have pipes or ducts that don’t cover the entire basement, you may be able to use soffits or boxes just around the pipes and have higher ceilings elsewhere in the room. As with walls, drywall has its drawbacks. If you need to get to equipment or utilities above your drywall ceiling, you’ll have to cut holes in it. And, if you have a leak, the whole ceiling can be ruined in short order. If you do want drywall, be sure your basement finishing contractor includes some type of access points if possible.

Get the job done right with Contractor Connection.

Our network of experts includes basement remodeling contractors whose workmanship is backed by an industry-best five-year warranty. We’ll match you with a single contractor with the experience to finish your basement to your satisfaction. To get started, simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page and a top-quality basement remodeling contractor will be in touch within 24 hours.

Basement Remodeling Ideas

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If you’ve had your basement remodeling contractor finish your basement with new walls and flooring with no particular use in mind, here are some ideas for making your remodeled basement one of the most useful spaces in your home.

Create a guest suite in the basement

You can add interior walls to section off a guest bedroom or devote the entire space to a complete guest suite or apartment. Consider adding at least a half-bath to the space or even a small kitchenette where your guests can have coffee before joining you upstairs in the morning or heat up a late-night snack in the microwave.

Make a gaming area in the basement

Most basements are large enough to handle a full-sized pool table or ping pong table. If you have the space, you can also set up an area for video-game enthusiasts with a big-screen TV, comfortable seating and storage for game cartridges and system accessories. If your finished basement has walls with sound-dampening qualities, it’s the perfect space for gamers to turn up the volume.

Set up a craft room or art studio in the basement

Any crafter or artist would love to have a dedicated space to create. Think about including large work surfaces, custom storage solutions for tools and supplies, and plenty of lighting. A small sink with some counter space next to it can make clean-up easier as well.

Give children a play space in the basement

A basement playroom’s best feature may be its door — you can close it and leave the mess for cleaning up later. Giving kids a space devoted just to playing is a great way to keep the rest of your house in order.

Create a home office in the basement

Working from home either full- or part-time is becoming more popular. Even if you just need a quiet spot to manage your home finances and get paperwork done, accommodating a desk, a few chairs and computer equipment can turn your basement into a home office that keeps you from having to take over a bedroom upstairs.

Make a den in the basement

Most newer homes include a great room or family room in lieu of a formal living room, but if yours doesn’t, the basement is the perfect spot for a den. Turning your basement into a family room can be an inexpensive project or you can go all out. If entertainment is the priority, you can outfit your basement den with large, comfortable furniture, a home theater, gaming systems, surround sound and a wet bar. No matter how far you go with your new den, a powder room is worth the cost in your family gathering spot.

Add storage in your basement

If your basement has been finished properly, your basement remodeling contractor made sure that moisture problems will be minimized with the use of the right materials and installation techniques. While your unfinished basement may have been good only for storing items that wouldn’t be damaged by excess moisture, your new space opens up great storage options. Built-in cabinets, drawers and shelves from floor to ceiling can protect your valuables and look great, too.

Add a small kitchen in the basement

Whatever use you find for your finished basement, a small area with a kitchenette can save a lot of trips upstairs to get food and beverages or just wash up. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy — just a small sink, under-counter refrigerator and a few feet of cabinetry and countertops will help make using your basement more convenient.

Add a fitness center in the basement

If you’re tired of commuting to the gym and paying monthly fees, or if you know you’ll get more exercise by having equipment right in the house, outfit your newly finished basement with a home gym. You can go as far as adding mirrors and a complete home gym station, or simply move in a bench, floor mat, free weights and a stationary bike. Either way, you won’t have to pay for membership to your own home gym.

Plan ahead for your basement remodeling with Contractor Connection.

Start your basement remodeling project off right with a top-quality basement finishing contractor. We match you with an expert in our contractor network whose already been vetted and confirmed to have the proper licensing, insurance and qualifications to do the job right. Best of all, our contractors offer a three-year workmanship warranty on every project. Ready to get started? Just enter your ZIP code at the top of the page to get your free, no-obligation estimate.

What is Aging in Place and Universal Design?

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Making homes more accessible to people with physical challenges and those who wish to remain in their homes as they age is much more than a trend. For many, it’s a necessity, and aging-in-place contractors and universal design contractors are responding to the need.

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences between aging-in-place and universal design. Knowing how they differ may help you in your search for a contractor with the skills to take on your home modification or home building project.

Aging in place modifications

As the term implies, aging in place modifications enable people to stay in their homes as long as possible as they grow older. Generally, aging-in-place contractors focus on making changes to an existing home to make it safer and more comfortable as its occupants’ physical abilities change. These changes may be the installation of grab bars in tubs and showers or replacing steps with ramps.

As more than three-quarters of a million Americans are beginning to reach retirement age, the services of aging-in-place contractors is more in demand. As a result, the National Association of Home Builders offers the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program, which instructs contractors in the business management, customer service and technical aspects of home modifications. There also are programs for interior designers and others to become certified as aging-in-place specialists.

Universal design

This term applies to people of all abilities and ages, from those buying a first home to families with multiple generations under one roof. Universal design usually refers to the design of brand-new homes that incorporate its principles, but it can also refer to changes made to existing homes that increase convenience and ease of use.

For many practitioners, the goal is to have universal design features be as unnoticeable and as seamlessly incorporated as possible. In addition to aesthetics, universal design approaches usually include consideration for future adaptability. An example would be constructing walls so that grab bars can be added with little effort at some later time, but not before they are needed.

Features in common

Regardless of how they’re referred to, aging-in-place and universal design features often overlap since they share the goal of making it easier for people to use and move about their homes. Here are just a few features or modifications that contractors can help you with:

  • Wide hallways and doorways to easily accommodate wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility devices.
  • Pocket doors to reduce the amount of space that hinged doors require.
  • Bathrooms on main floors with plenty of space in which to move around.
  • Fixtures, such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, with space underneath and at the proper level to allow wheelchair users to access them more easily.
  • “Zero step” entrances to at least one door from the outside.
  • Wall-hung toilets that can be placed higher or lower as necessary.
  • Larger showers with oversized doors and no curbs or thresholds.
  • Additional lighting to make navigation around the home safer.
  • Accessible switches and controls, including electrical outlets, light switches and thermostats.
  • Lever-style door handles and faucets.

Retrofitting or building a new home? Find an aging-in-place or universal design contractor with Contractor Connection.

We make it simple to find a top-quality contractor for your project or new home. Every contractor in our network has been thoroughly vetted to ensure he or she is qualified, licensed and insured. Plus, we have an industry-best five-year warranty on workmanship to ensure your satisfaction. For your free, no-obligation estimate from a qualified contractor, simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page.

Five Tips For Universal Design

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Universal design features or aging in place modifications make a home easier and safer to live in for everyone, regardless of age or mobility. The number of contractors, architects and interior designers offering universal design services is on the rise to keep up with the growing demand to modify existing homes or build new ones that accommodate a range of needs.

Whether you need to make universal design-related changes to your home now, are finishing up plans for a new home, or simply thinking ahead, here are a few things to consider:

  1. Make entrances and exits easier to use.

Consider all of the routes taken to move about your house and property and what obstacles may be in the way for people who use mobility devices.

Slopes from the car to the house should be gentle and entrances should have no steps. Ramps can be retrofitted to existing houses and can be seamlessly and attractively incorporated into the architecture of new homes.

Interior and exterior doorways should be at least three feet wide with space around them easy to maneuver. At exterior doors, place benches to make it easier to navigate entry when carrying packages or other items.

  1. Add lighting to pathways.

Routes both to and throughout the house should be well lit both during the day and at night. Maximize natural light when planning a new house and add skylights to existing homes when possible.

“Rehearse” daily tasks and assess whether there is ample light along every pathway and at every task station.

Also, add night lights that plug into outlets and that either automatically turn on when ambient light dims or are motion-activated.

  1. Change light switches.

Toggle-style light switches can be difficult to operate for those with physical challenges such as limited hand strength. Use rocker switches instead, which can be operated with the simple push of a hand or elbow.

Also, consider using illuminated rocker switches, which not only make the switch easier to find, but also add orientation markers along pathways.

  1. Take advantage of technology.

Today’s technology can be incorporated into nearly every area of a home to make life easier and more comfortable for its occupants. These technologies range from those that enable monitoring of older occupants at home, to those that provide access to home devices, such as phones, intercoms, locks, thermostats, home entertainment components and much more.

More aging-in-place technologies are coming onto the market every day, ranging from stand-alone devices with a single function to systems that can wirelessly and remotely control a number of devices.

Technologies that support safety are popular, and are designed to decrease the risk of falling, one of the most common dangers for older adults who live by themselves.

  1. Focus on the kitchen and baths.

Everyone in a home can benefit from using universal design and aging-in-place design elements, particularly in the rooms we use the most — kitchens and baths.

There are many opportunities throughout these rooms to make them easy to use and navigate. Here are just a few:

  • Pull-out work surfaces, such as cutting boards
  • Tables instead of islands with cabinets for roll-up access
  • Lever-operated faucets
  • Wall-mounted sinks and toilets with clear space around and beneath them
  • Roll-in showers
  • Drawers instead of cabinets with doors

Consult with a Contractor Connection universal design contractor.

Finding a qualified universal design or aging-in-place contractor is simple with Contractor Connection. Our matching service saves you from having to vet potential contractors, because we’ve already verified the credentials and qualifications of the expert contractors in our network. It’s easy to get started — just enter your ZIP code at the top of the page and within 24 hours you’ll hear from the contractor who’s best for your project.

Tips For Living In A Multigenerational Household

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From adult children moving back in to sharing a home with grandparents, households with multiple generations is on the rise. The high cost of housing, a sluggish job market and older adults’ desire to stay out of senior communities or assisted living facilities has increased the focus on how people of all ages and varying abilities can live well together. Many have even invested in modifications to their homes with the help of aging in place contractors.

There are challenges that come along with several generations sharing a home, but there are benefits as well. Older adults are less isolated and have help at hand when it’s needed. Children can get extra attention by having more adults willing to spend time with them. And even young adults can gain an increased sense of security in addition to lowering their living expenses.

To help make living together easier for everyone, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Communication is key.

Clear communication is essential and it’s best if it begin before grandparents or adult children move in. Discussions about responsibilities, boundaries and expectations can prevent the tension that arises when people feel misunderstood or disrespected. Work together to develop a plan for such things as the division of chores and expenses, how and when certain rooms or items are to be shared, and how and by whom younger members of the household are to be looked after or disciplined. As time goes on, talking openly about conflicts as they arise instead of quietly seething will go a very long way toward keeping the overall peace.

  1. Respect privacy and preferences.

Everyone should have their own spaces in the house that they can call their own. It may be a bedroom or a corner of the den, but it’s important for grandchildren, parents and grandparents to have a spot to retreat to. If space doesn’t allow, schedule private time for each person when you can.

It’s also important to respect each person’s preferences and remember that people have different ways of doing things. You can help keep the peace by letting family members do small things their way, such as laundry or loading the dishwasher. Save your energy for disagreements over issues that truly matter.

  1. Establish routines.

Most people, especially children, need some structure. This is particularly true when another generation joins an established household. Setting routines (such as bedtimes and mealtimes) provides some consistency in a situation where varying personalities, schedules and needs can cause circumstances to change quickly.

  1. Be realistic.

While communicating expectations can help things go more smoothly, so can tempering your expectations of others. Be realistic about how far people are willing to go in changing how they live, how much time young adults may really spend at home and how quickly older adults can adapt to a new place or new ways of living.

  1. Focus on priorities.

What’s really most important in your multigenerational household? Chances are it’s your children. Adults of any age should recognize that the well-being of little ones is the top priority — keeping this as the focus can make life better, and easier, for everyone.

  1. Update your home.

Few of us have homes that will readily accommodate the needs of people of all ages and abilities, so take an objective look at your house from the point of view of each of its occupants. Will older adults find it challenging to navigate? Do your kitchen and bathrooms have obstacles that may keep any family members from being able to use them without assistance? Will young children be safe there? There are many changes (many of them relatively minor and inexpensive) that can be made to make your home more accessible to everyone. Aging-in-place design and universal design are two approaches to accessibility that are becoming increasingly popular, and you can learn much more about them with online research.

Make your home work for everyone — Contractor Connection can help.

If members of your multigenerational household need special accommodations, our network has aging-in-place and universal design contractors who are ready to help. We’ve thoroughly vetted each contractor to ensure they’re qualified to do your project right, and their workmanship is backed by a five-year warranty. To get your free estimate, simply enter your ZIP code at the top of the page and a top-quality contractor will be in touch within 24 hours.