Is your home ready for the long haul?

Is your home ready for the long haul?

Questions to ask before a renovation or new build to make sure your home works for decades to come.

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A renovation or new build is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Most people focus on what they want right now, such as the open plan kitchen, the ensuite, and the beautiful joinery. But the most enduring homes are designed with the future in mind too. Whether it is ageing in place, supporting a family member with changing needs, or simply making life easier, these questions are worth asking before you finalise the plans.

The key questions

Think ahead, by category

Work through each area. You do not need to act on everything, but awareness is the first step.

Access & Entrances

Getting in and out safely, always
  • 01Can someone enter this home without using steps, and if not, could a ramp ever be added?
  • 02Are the main entry doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walking frame (850mm minimum)?
  • 03Is there covered, level access between the car park or garage and the front door?
  • 04Could the front door be fitted with a smart lock or lever handle rather than a knob, now or in the future?
  • 05Is there adequate lighting at the entry for safety and visibility at night?

Bedroom & Living

Spaces that flex with your life
  • 01Is there a bedroom or a space that could become one on the ground floor?
  • 02Are hallways and doorways wide enough to allow easy movement, ideally 900mm or more?
  • 03Could the layout accommodate a hospital style bed or ceiling hoist if ever needed?
  • 04Are power points and light switches at accessible heights, between 400mm and 1100mm from the floor?
  • 05Is the flooring consistent, slip resistant, and free of trip hazards at transitions between rooms?

Bathroom & Wet Areas

The highest risk room in any home
  • 01Is there at least one bathroom that could be converted to a wet room or roll in shower down the track?
  • 02Have you allowed for blocking in the walls so grab rails can be added later without major renovation?
  • 03Is the toilet positioned with enough clear space on at least one side for a transfer, ideally 900mm?
  • 04Could a walk in shower replace the bath, or could the bath be removed in the future without a full refit?
  • 05Are the tapware and door handles lever style to reduce grip requirements?

Structure & Infrastructure

What is behind the walls matters too
  • 01Is the structure strong enough to support a stair lift, ceiling hoist, or lift shaft if needed in the future?
  • 02Have you considered conduit runs for smart home wiring or a medical alert system?
  • 03Is there a secondary living space, or could one be created, for a caregiver or family member?
  • 04Have you thought about where a ground floor bathroom addition could go, even if you are not building one now?
  • 05Is the home well insulated and warm? Comfort and health go hand in hand over the long term.

The most important question of all

If your mobility, strength, or independence changed tomorrow, could you still live comfortably in this home? Future proofing is not about planning for the worst. It is about creating a home that gives you choices, no matter what life brings. The best time to think about this is before you pour the foundations, not after.

Quick principles to carry into every decision

Simple ideas that cost little upfront but save enormously later.

Width is everything

Wider doors and hallways are the cheapest change to make at the design stage and the most expensive to retrofit.

Eliminate level changes

Steps between rooms, garages, and outdoor areas are the single biggest barrier for most people over time.

Design for adaptability

Think about what could change later without major structural work. Flexibility built in now is a feature, not a compromise.

Want to talk through your plans?

Our team of occupational therapists, architectural designers, and builders can review your renovation or new build plans and help you think through what future proofing looks like for your household specifically.

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