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Comfort is one of the few things that never goes out of style. So when it comes to aging comfortably in place, MK Remodeling & Design is the place to go.

U.S. News & World Report has an article about this very subject, detailing the trends and projects common to baby boomers as they prepare their homes for retirement. 

Baby boomers are interested in upgrading their lifestyles, are more likely to spend bigger, and more likely to use money from their personal savings, the article says. Additionally, they tend to let their geographic location influence their renovation decisions. For instance, people in Arizona are more likely to consider exterior projects, such as a new paint job, building a fence, or improving a pool deck.

Baby boomers also are more likely to seek service providers. So, if you or anyone you know are interested in a renovation for retirement and beyond, give us a call. You won’t be disappointed!

One thing both baby boomers and other age groups can agree on is the difficulty in choosing a project. Our advice is simple: Slow and steady wins the race.

This article has great advice on making smaller, smarter remodeling additions. Their examples include recapturing space from a closet to extend a bathroom, or repurposing a large roof overhang as a small addition.

For the best results, consult a designer or architect. They might be able to suggest something you didn’t realize was possible.

The most common reason people give when avoiding a remodel is that they don’t want to deal with a mess. But even the best, most thought-out remodel will have some kind of mess! Aside from the usual sealing off doorways and stairs, the trick is figuring out how to cope.

Take the advice of this article on how to live with your remodeling job, which suggests a thorough pre-construction meeting with your remodelers, designating a safe haven free of construction, having a designated delivery point so that dust and dirt aren’t tracked in through multiple avenues, and keeping a sense of humor.

Have a good week!

Preparing your home for the latter years of life is no easy task. But how will you know what you need 10, 15, 20 years down the road?

At MK Remodeling & Design, aging in place is one of our passions! With that in mind, here are a few tips from CNBC to consider when remodeling your home for seniors.

First, think small. Avoiding slips is a great start. Adding slip-resistant flooring in the bathroom or kitchen is a cost-effective way to age in place. As the article notes, pay attention to flooring with a higher coefficient of friction value. Traction is king! Grab bars are also a good investment for the bathroom.

Second, think accessibility. Consider widening doorways, hallways, or cooking areas in the kitchen to accommodate someone in a wheelchair, or who uses a crane. Most people would benefit from seated working areas and easy-to-reach storage areas. Updating appliances is also a good move.

Accessible bathrooms are important, too. Easy-access showers, sometimes called “curbless,” are among the more popular projects. In addition to providing comfort, they are good bets at resale because larger space gives off a spa-like vibe, the article says. Other things to consider are raised toilets and seating in an existing shower or tub.

Third, think about room accessibility. If your home has multiple levels, consider installing an elevator or stair lift. While every home is different, lift projects can run between $3,000 and $12,000. While elevators are more pricey, they will still cost much less than adding a first-floor bathroom or a master-bedroom addition, the article notes.

Also, consider access from outside and a garage. Ensure steps or small, or better yet, convert them into mini ramps. Make sure walkways are wide and level, or rise or fall gradually.

Have a great week!

One of MK Remodeling & Design’s passions is helping our clients age in place gracefully. Equipping a home for the latter stages of life is important to us, and something we take pride in.

With that in mind, we found this helpful article on the most common mistakes by seniors during a remodel.

One major tip is don’t remodel and move. It sounds straightforward, but many people choose to downsize or move closer to their grandkids, rendering their remodeling work practically null. Improving your home to age in a place is a good move, but if you are unsure about staying in your current digs, put it off and save your money for your next house.

Another of our favorite tips, don’t go into debt and/or deplete your retirement, is applicable to all homeowners. Breaking the bank for a remodel is never a good thing, and that goes double for those on a fixed income. Be honest about your budget and the scope of your remodel, and don’t gamble with your financial future.

Lastly, be sure to consider your future needs in your remodel. Make sure you don’t have to strain to use cabinets or storage units, make sure bathrooms are easily accessible and have safety measures in place, and don’t overdo landscaping that can make upkeep burdensome.

In addition to aging in place, all of us at MK Remodeling & Design pride ourselves on keeping the lines of communication open. This element of remodeling is underscored in an article in the Columbus Dispatch.

Aside from communicating well, the article also suggests you focus on the details before the work begins, give workers their space, keep good records, and stay cool during construction. Of course, that last one might be hard in the Arizona heat.

Have a good week!