Accessible Homes & Wheelchair Ramps in Virginia

No. The ADA applies to businesses and public accommodations, not private single-family homes. We still design ramps, bathrooms and kitchens to the ADA 2010 Standards and the ICC A117.1 accessibility code because those numbers reflect tested, safe dimensions — a 1:12 ramp slope and a 36-inch clear path work the same whether or not the law requires them on your property.

The widely used standard is a maximum slope of 1:12 — one inch of rise for every twelve inches of ramp run. A ramp rising 24 inches off the ground, for example, needs at least 24 feet of ramp length at that slope. Steeper is possible for short rises but makes the ramp harder and less safe to use unassisted.

Plan on at least 36 inches of clear width between handrails. Level landings at least 5 feet by 5 feet are needed at the top, at the bottom, and anywhere the ramp turns, and a landing is required at least every 30 inches of rise so a user has a flat rest point on long runs. Handrails on both sides, 34 to 38 inches high, are required once total rise is more than about 6 inches.

In most Hampton Roads and Richmond-area localities, yes — a permanent ramp attached to the home typically needs a building permit, and the exact rules vary by city and county. We handle the permit application as part of the project so you don't have to track down the paperwork yourself.

Wood ramps are built to match the house and are typically the most affordable permanent option, but need periodic maintenance like any exterior wood structure. Aluminum ramps are lighter, need almost no maintenance, and can sometimes be adjusted or relocated. Modular ramp systems are pre-engineered aluminum sections that can go in fast and, in some cases, be rented or leased for shorter-term needs. We'll walk through which fits your home, your timeline and your budget.

Common upgrades include a curbless, roll-in shower with a fold-down or built-in seat and a handheld sprayer, grab bars anchored into blocking (not just drywall), a comfort-height toilet (typically 17 to 19 inches to the seat), doorways at least 32 inches of clear width, and a roll-under vanity with open knee space instead of a cabinet base.

Typical changes are a lowered, roll-under section of counter or sink around 34 inches high with open space beneath, aisles at least 40 inches wide so a wheelchair or walker can turn, a 60-inch turning circle in the main work area, and controls, outlets and upper storage kept within a 15-to-48-inch reach range from a seated position.

Several programs can help, depending on your situation: the VA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants and the HISA grant for veterans, Virginia's Medicaid Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver for home modifications, the Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit, local Area Agencies on Aging, and the medical-expense deduction on your federal taxes. Program amounts and rules change year to year, so always confirm current numbers with the agency. We can help measure the space and fill out the paperwork these programs ask for — see our accessibility funding guide for details.

Yes. We'll walk the home with you at no cost, measure doorways, slopes, clearances and reach ranges, and talk through what matters most for your household before any plan or pricing is put together.

Yes — accessibility work is handled by the same licensed crew that does our kitchen and bath remodeling, so a roll-in shower, roll-under vanity or widened doorway can be built into a planned remodel instead of done as a separate project.