Essentials

Whenever we visit a new customer to discuss adaptations – the first thing they say is

“I don’t want it to look like a hospital!”

But considered design, quality materials and innovative equipment ensure that our home adaptations are always in keeping with the existing house.

‘Home adaptations’ include changing part or parts of a house to make access easier for the occupant and because they are not complex – they can be completed relatively quickly.

The office for national statistics confirms the most commonly installed adaptations are bathroom modifications, handrail installations and levelling of access routes.

Our most popular bathroom modification – in fact probably the most popular of any adaptation – involves replacing a bath with a level access shower, making showering accessible for all. Level access showers or ‘Wet rooms’ as they are often called, were once only seen in high end hotels. But standard ‘floor-formers’ and tanking materials now make these rooms simple to construct and we usually complete a standard installation within a week.

The entire floor is made watertight and the shower drains to a gulley in the floor. By making the floor completely watertight, we remove the risk of slips, trips and falls.

Handrail installations remain one of the simplest and yet most effective adaptations that can be made. And they’re no longer unsightly, galvanised affairs – but sleek and architectural. They are effective all around the house especially where levelling of floors is impractical.

But levelling access routes is often simpler than you’d think and we are expert at proposing solutions to remove steps and thresholds both internally and externally.

Adaptations usually start with an Occupational Therapist assessment to ensure that any alteration gives the greatest benefit to the customer. In situations where an assessment hasn’t been carried out – we can recommend an OT. And then Jointly with the OT and customer, we’ll design and plan the adaptation using computer aided designs where necessary. And being simple in complexity, they often won’t require planning consent or Building Control involvement.

We hold approved contractor status with many local authorities and Housing Associations in the local area – altering their housing stock to make fit for purpose.

John Ford Group is very proud of its employees. As well as a high level of skill, their positive ‘can do’ attitude is of paramount importance and often commented on. All adaptation installers are highly trained, vetted and security checked to ensure that the service and product is excellent.

We request our customers to fill out a simple set of Key Performance Indicators to ensure that our service is constantly improving.

Disability adaptations are usually carried out free of VAT. We will advise at time of survey whether the adaptation or installation qualifies for VAT relief. This information is also available on the HMRC website.

 

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Some examples of adaptations include:

  • Bathroom modifications
  • Door widening
  • Accessible kitchens
  • Handrails and grab rails
  • Pathway levelling
  • Flower bed raising
  • Specialist lifting equipment installation
  • Stair lifts & through-floor lifts
  • Wet rooms and level entry shower rooms
  • Kerb lowering & disabled parking
  • Ramp installation
  • Socket raising
  • Door entry systems