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March 25, 2025

Why Bathroom Accessibility Matters on the Main Line

There are very few accessible homes in our area, which is shocking because Philadelphia is a short drive away, and there are countless rehab facilities for people with disabilities. So, when your home has improved kitchen or bathroom accessibility, you open an entire avenue for your family and potential buyers!

Finding an ADA-accessible home in the Main Line is rare, so if you are renovating your home, we recommend installing accessible features. These features will increase the home value and will not require renovations for older couples or families with a disabled family member.

Most of the homes in the Main Line were built a very long time ago, and back then, there were no accessibility requirements. The homes in the Main Line area tend to have many stairs, very narrow hallways, and door openings. When renovating your home to be accessible, you must ensure everything is wide enough for your needs before renovating.

Understanding Accessibility: Key Considerations for the Main Line Home

Suppose you are renovating your home in the Main Line for an in-law suite or someone disabled. In that case, we highly recommend installing every feature to make their life easier. Roll-in showers, comfort-height toilets, properly pitched ramps, microwave drawers, and under-sinks are some key features that make someone’s life a lot easier.  

The commercial ADA has many requirements that need to be implemented. When renovating your home, we can modify the criteria slightly to accommodate your personal needs as long as those adjustments are done correctly and safe for your use.

Suppose you want to renovate your home and know you live in your forever home. In that case, we recommend blocking behind the drywall because, years later, you can install grab bars without opening the drywall. 

Essential Accessible Bathroom Features

Wider Doorways and Clear Pathways

  • Doorway Dimensions: Many able-bodied people may not realize how important doorway width is for wheelchair users. The ADA requires doorways to be at least 32″ wide, which allows plenty of room for walkers or wheelchairs to avoid getting stuck!
  • Hallway Clearance: For a hallway to be completely ADA-compliant, the hallway must be at least 30 inches wide. Any smaller and some wheelchair users or people who require a walker have plenty of space to turn into doorways.

Zero-Threshold Showers and Bathtubs

  • Walk-in or Roll-In Showers: When you have to make your bathroom accessible, a roll-in shower is the ultimate solution. There are zero steps, eliminating the chances of tripping. A roll-in shower also allows any wheelchair user to access the shower easily.
  • Grab Bars and Seating: In every shower or tub being renovated for a person with disabilities or older age, we recommend putting multiple grab bars in place to prevent falling or something to grab onto to help get back up. A crucial aspect is to ensure the grab bars are not going to rip off the wall due to the screws not being fastened to the wood components.

Toilet Accessibility

  • Comfort-Height Toilets: These toilets are essential in ADA bathrooms because they are 2-4 inches taller than a standard toilet. This sounds like a small difference, but this change impacts you when you have difficulty squatting down due to medical issues.
  • Grab Bar Placement: When installed in an ADA bathroom, grab bars should be between 33 and 36 inches on both sides of the toilet. 
Photo of walk-in shower |bathroom accessibility | Kenny Construction

Sink and Vanity Adjustments

  • Wall-Mounted or Wheelchair-Accessible Sinks: Installing wall-hung sinks is ideal for wheelchair users because those sinks provide more space, allowing people to get as close as possible to the sink bowl and faucets.
  • Countertop Height: Some may not realize how much difference lower countertops make for wheelchair users because so many able-bodied people have never had to use a wheelchair. Having the lower countertops helps reach the entire depth of the counters without adjusting. 

Flooring and Lighting

  • Slip-Resistant Flooring: We recommend tile, hardwood, or engineered hardwood flooring for your ADA home because carpets are tough for some wheelchair users to push on. Also, wheelchairs get dirty and wet, so having carpet in your home gets ruined quickly! Tile, hardwood, or engineered flooring is much easier for disabled people to clean and maintain.
  • Adequate Lighting: When setting up your ADA home for wheelchair users, we recommend lowering the switches slightly for a lower reach or installing the latest smart home technology for convenience and simplicity. We also recommend having dimmer options for older adults who need more light or less at certain times of the day.

The Remodeling Process: What to Expect with Kenny Construction Group

Starting an accessibility remodeling project can be both exciting and overwhelming. With Kenny Construction Group, you can expect a seamless process focused on creating a space that meets your unique accessibility needs. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, our team communicates clearly and provides expert guidance at every step. Understanding what to expect will help you navigate the journey with confidence and ease.

Initial Consultation and Assessment

When you call Kenny Construction Group to install an ADA bathroom, on our initial visit, we will walk through the home and take several measurements to determine the best place to install a roll-in shower, the best bedroom location, and the best roll-under sink location. We will discuss that to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Once we have completed the initial walkthrough, we will send you a quote the same day or the next because we know most ADA renovations need to be completed as soon as possible. Suppose everything looks good to the homeowner, and you sign the contract. In that case, I will have guys onsite working within 3 days to ensure your project is completed as fast as possible with great quality. 

Budget and Timeline

Once we do a site visit and clearly understand what you need to be implemented in your home, we will send you an estimate for the project. If you agree to our quote and it is a rush job, we will pull a crew off of another job to ensure we get there as soon as possible. We can turn our ADA bathroom projects around in a week or two!

We work in many areas, so once you have agreed to our proposal, we will contact the township to determine if a permit is needed. The permit fees vary from township to township, so we will determine the cost and let you know as soon as possible. We have worked in the Main Line area for many years and know their requirements well!

Construction and Installation

When you work with Kenny Construction Group, we pride ourselves on keeping a spotless workspace. We ensure our guys sweep up and throw all the trash away at the end of every day.

We ensure that our employees are all very well trained in knowing what blockings should be installed to ensure their safety.

Final Walkthrough and Warranty

When your project nears the end, we will do a walkthrough to ensure everything works perfectly. We will also address any things you want to be revamped to give you the highest-quality finished product!

Kenny Construction Group offers a three-year workmanship warranty. If you have any issues down the road, we will come back to make any necessary repairs.

Why Invest in Accessibility Upgrades Now?

  • Future-Proofing: If you know you are living in your forever home and have no plans of ever leaving but will do a bathroom remodel, we highly recommend installing all necessary blockings behind the drywall so you will not have to go through the entire process again.
  • Enhanced Resale Value: There are many contractors in the Main Line area, but choosing Kenny Construction is a no-brainer, given our extensive ADA experience!
  • Peace of Mind: We at Kenny Construction Group will try out the new amenities to ensure no defective products. 

Why Choose Kenny Construction Group for Your Bathroom Accessibility Project

Kenny Construction Group has been working in the Mainline area for over two decades, and we know the best ways to make your home accessible and safe. 

We all know how crucial it is to ensure that your home’s accessible features never break, so we always use the highest-quality material. 

Kenny Construction Group completely understands what makes a safe ADA home. We know better than any other company because our estimator, Brad, is paralyzed. We renovated his house, and he knows what works and the best options for your home!

Take the Next Step Towards Bathroom Accessibility Today

Having a roll-in shower in your bathroom gives you peace of mind that there is no trip hazard, and installing grab bars in all necessary places ensures you have something to hold onto whether you require help sitting down or need it to help you stand back up after a trip and fall, which we aim to avoid. 

Kenny Construction Group has extensive ADA renovation experience and will complete the bathroom accessibility project faster than anyone else. Call us today for your free estimate! We look forward to transforming your home in the Mainline into a completely ADA-compliant home.