Plan around the household
Consider who lives here, who visits, and what is becoming difficult or may change.
Aging in place & universal design
Aging in Place Remodeling in Philadelphia
A home that works at every age.
Same house. Same block. Same neighbors. Plan for a home that is easier to use, whether you're bringing home a new baby, preparing for recovery, moving a parent in or planning to stay for decades. Consider bathrooms, sleeping space, entrances and stairs together with the existing Philadelphia home.
Aging in place & universal design
Who handles aging-in-place and universal design remodeling in Philadelphia?
NK Construction & Design brings remodeling and structural construction into the same conversation. Planning starts with the people who live in the home, the routes they use and the building changes that could make daily life easier. A first-floor bathroom and bedroom, wider openings, stair changes or an improved entrance should be considered as connected parts of a home.
For a Philadelphia rowhouse, that conversation may involve a narrow floor plan, the location of the existing full bathroom, floor framing, shared walls and access from the street or rear yard. Architectural and structural input, regulated trades, permits and any designation-dependent historic review are coordinated where the proposed scope requires them.
The starting point can be a family with a new baby, a parent moving in, someone preparing for recovery, or an owner planning to stay for decades. Bring any recommendations from your occupational or physical therapist so we can discuss how your daily routines and movement needs fit into the remodeling plan.
The 2025 American Community Survey estimates that 15.9% of Philadelphia residents (about 250,000 people) are 65 or older. Single-unit attached homes account for 55.6% of the city's housing units. That Census category includes many rowhouses and townhouses, but is not a count of every historic rowhouse or converted multi-unit building. It helps explain why shared walls, stairs and compact layouts matter when planning changes.
2025 Census ACS: age estimates (B01001); 2025 Census ACS: housing units (B25024)
Connect the building work
Review layout, framing, plumbing, electrical work and finishes together before committing to a design.
Define priorities and scope
Discuss what matters now, what improves daily comfort and what could prepare the home for later. Start with a conversation about your project and likely scope.
Start with what you're seeing or planning.
Pick the situation closest to yours. These starting points connect a daily difficulty with the rooms and construction questions worth exploring.
6 homeowner situations.
Built for every age, starting now.
The features considered in aging-in-place remodeling can be useful at different stages of life. A level shower entry, a usable doorway or main-floor sleeping space may help a household today as well as support future plans. The right combination starts with your household's routines and the spaces you use most.
For a parent joining the household, a first-floor suite with its own bathroom can be explored alongside mixed-height work areas and routes between the kitchen, living room and bedroom. For families, an entrance used with a stroller, groceries or a laundry basket is a useful place to start the conversation.
- Young families
- Strollers, bath time and carrying a child or groceries can reveal awkward thresholds and tight turns.
- Recovery
- Knee or hip replacement, sports injuries, pregnancy and other recovery periods can affect where someone sleeps, bathes and moves through the home.
- Multigenerational households
- A parent moving in or adult children returning home can change privacy, storage, bathroom and shared-kitchen needs.
- Long-term living
- Owners in their 40s through their 80s planning to stay can consider current comfort and future adaptability together, with room to revisit the plan as needs change.
A common starting point
A bathroom that works better can change the whole plan.
Bathroom accessibility is a common starting point for aging-in-place improvements. Easier shower access, comfortable circulation and well-placed supports can address everyday priorities while helping you consider the routes and rooms around the bathroom.
One-day bath remodel or a bathroom built for life?
A tub or shower replacement in a layout that already works is a different scope from moving a bathroom downstairs, changing the shower floor or widening an opening. Look beyond the package name to see which layout changes, construction and approvals are included.
Compare what the contract actually provides. If someone will use a walker, wheelchair or shower seat, consider the whole route and room layout before selecting a shower product. NK can discuss whether a focused change or a more connected remodel addresses the priorities.
Swipe to compare
| Planning question | Focused replacement | Connected remodeling |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Update the tub or shower within a layout that fits the user. | Review where the bathroom is and how the household reaches and uses it. |
| Shower entry | Check the proposed base, threshold and relationship to the existing floor. | Explore a low-threshold or curbless arrangement where framing, waterproofing and drainage allow. |
| Location | Confirm whether the contract retains the existing bathroom location. | Assess whether a new first-floor bathroom is practical in the available space. |
| Doors and walls | Check whether any doorway or wall work is included. | Coordinate opening changes with structure and services where required. |
| Materials | Understand the offered product system, finish choices and maintenance needs. | Choose tile, stone, panels or other appropriate finishes as part of the full room design. |
| Supports | Confirm support-bar locations and the underlying wall construction. | Plan suitable backing and support positions with the wall assembly and user needs. |
| Permits and design | Determine requirements from the actual work, including connected trade work. | Coordinate drawings, professional input and permits that apply to the alterations. |
| Schedule | About a day on site is a planning example for a suitable focused installation; confirm preparation and the actual contract. | Days for a shower conversion; weeks to months for structural work are planning examples, not completion promises. Design, approvals, investigation, materials and connected construction determine the schedule. |
What universal design can look like in a Philadelphia home.
Explore design concepts for everyday tasks, from reaching a kitchen cabinet to moving between floors. The layout, finishes and support features can be tailored to your home; lift and elevator options also need an equipment specialist's assessment.
Tell us who lives in the house and what's getting harder. A project conversation can help identify which room, route or connected scope deserves closer attention.
Explore all eight ideas. Swipe or use the controls.
Home elevator
A vertical route through the home can be considered where space, structure and the equipment specialist's requirements allow. Stacked closets may offer a starting point for that assessment, including in larger Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy stone homes.
Residential elevator concept beside an existing staircase.
Stairlift and second handrail
A stair assessment considers the stair geometry, landings, headroom and remaining circulation. A lift specialist must determine equipment suitability; railings, lighting and any connected construction can be discussed separately.
Stairlift concept with a second handrail and step lighting.
Kitchen for different reach needs
Explore a lowered sink with knee space, seated and standing work areas, a counter-height wall oven, drawer dishwasher and pull-down upper shelves. Individual reach and the appliance or cabinet system need to guide the design.
Kitchen layout exploring seated work at the sink and easier-to-reach storage.
Roll-under vanity
A vanity with suitable knee space can support seated use when the approach, fixture placement and protected plumbing are considered together. A lever faucet and a tilting mirror can be considered alongside the intended user's reach.
Bathroom concept combining an open vanity base with a continuous route to the shower.
Support bars integrated with the room
Brass finishes and purpose-made combined support/towel products can integrate supports with the room design. Support locations and appropriate backing belong in the construction plan. A decorative bar or towel rail must not be assumed to provide support; the specified product, installation and user needs determine suitability.
Toilet-area concept integrating support bars with the room finishes.
Night-route lighting
Consider the route from bed to bathroom, large rocker switches that are easy to reach, and lighting that reveals level changes without glare. Low-level or motion-controlled lighting may be an option without replacing a broader lighting plan.
Night-lighting concept following the route from bed to bathroom.
Porch access
A porch-front home may need an alternative to the existing steps. A side or rear route or specialist lift can be explored where space, boundaries, drainage and approvals permit; screening can coordinate with the porch finishes, while preserving required sidewalk and landing space.
Porch-access concept exploring a platform lift alongside the existing steps.
Laundry up from the basement
Moving laundry to the main floor may reduce the need to carry it on stairs. Raised front-loaders and a seated-height counter are options to discuss. Review appliance access, work-surface height, water, drainage, electrical, ventilation and space before choosing the location.
Main-floor laundry concept with storage and a nearby work counter.
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Based in Philadelphia. Remodeling and structural work, considered together.
NK Construction & Design has its main office at 1324 Locust St, Unit 527, Philadelphia, PA 19107, and design studio at 4900 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19112. We work in every Philadelphia neighborhood and across Delaware, Montgomery, Chester and Bucks counties.
Founder and owner Nebojsa "Nebo" Keresevic brings more than 20 years in construction, much of it the structural work older Philadelphia homes demand: beam installation, load-bearing wall removal, sagging floors, bowing foundation walls and staircase relocation. He leads NK's aging-in-place planning as a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).
CAPS is a designation from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), covering communication with homeowners, livable-home design and practical construction solutions. The programme includes an ethics pledge and ongoing education. That background helps connect the household's changing needs with remodeling choices, while engineering, specialist equipment and clinical advice remain distinct professional roles.
NK remains your project point of contact for the design and construction scope. The company is a BIA member, rated A+ by BBB and ranked in BuildZoom's Top 1%. Explore NK's projects and client reviews, then discuss the rooms, routes and priorities in your home.
What does aging-in-place remodeling cost in Philadelphia?
Costs follow the scope of work. The examples below are planning ranges, not fixed quotations or guaranteed completion periods. A support or lighting upgrade, a complete accessible bathroom and a first-floor suite involve different construction and planning. Planning related changes together helps you understand the full investment and choose priorities before construction starts.
Start with a conversation about your plans, the suitability of the project and its likely scope. Following that conversation, NK may choose to provide an estimate without charge, at its discretion. The estimate should account for the work and supporting design, coordination and approvals needed for the agreed scope. Existing conditions, structural changes, trade work, finish selections, material availability and access during construction affect the budget and sequence. Specialist work and applicable design or engineering are included or coordinated according to the agreed contract scope; they are not automatically excluded or separately charged. The planned Home Safety & Longevity Assessment provides written priorities and preliminary budget ranges, with scope, deliverables and any fee confirmed before the visit.
Focused upgrades
Discuss support locations and backing, a second rail where suitable, lighting, lever hardware and fixture changes. Access to the existing construction and the selected products influence the work. Planning example: hundreds to low thousands; usually days.
Curbless shower or accessible bathroom
Plan the entry, shower controls and seating, door and fixture layout, waterproofing, drainage and related plumbing/electrical work together. The existing floor and services affect the scope. Planning example: thousands to low tens of thousands; usually days to weeks.
First-floor bathroom, suite or addition
Consider usable room area, new service routes, framing and openings, exterior access and any addition. Professional design and applicable approvals are part of developing a realistic scope before a project-specific price and schedule. Planning example: usually months, including permits; priced after engineering.
Five Philadelphia rowhouse types, and how each one adapts.
'Rowhouse' covers different forms in Philadelphia. The City's Rowhouse Manual describes considerable variation, including trinities, two-story working houses, larger townhouses and postwar airlites. These five planning examples highlight different questions; a house may have been altered and must be assessed individually.
Trinity and bandbox
Society Hill, Queen Village, Old City, Bella Vista and Fishtown
A small footprint and winding stair can make a main-floor bedroom and full bathroom difficult to combine. Consider the sleeping-floor bathroom, stair and railing improvements, and whether any larger alteration is feasible. A curved lift or elevator is a specialist option requiring its own assessment, not a universal remedy.
Two-story South Philadelphia row
Passyunk, Pennsport, Whitman, Point Breeze and Grays Ferry
If the full bathroom is upstairs, compare the available powder room, rear kitchen or dining-room space with the route to a possible first-floor bedroom. A narrow plan, service routes and the stair still need review.
Three-story Victorian row
Fairmount, Spring Garden, Graduate Hospital, North and West Philadelphia
A tall stoop, several floors, existing plaster and older framing can make the relationship between entry, sleeping and bathing especially important. Explore rear access, main-floor room reuse and opening changes where practical.
Porch-front row
Olney, Logan, Overbrook, Cobbs Creek and Oxford Circle
Front steps and porch steps may create separate transitions. Compare the front route with rear or side access, usable first-floor space and any specialist porch-lift option, without assuming the lot has room.
Airlite row with a lower-level garage
Mayfair, Rhawnhurst, Lawncrest, Bustleton and Holmesburg
A rear driveway or garage may offer another arrival route, but reaching the living floor still involves a level change. Compare a specialist lift concept with other entry and first-floor bathroom options, considering flood exposure and building conditions.
Twins, singles and condos across the city.
A stone twin, a split-level and a condo each offer different possibilities for easier daily living. The best starting point may be a den that becomes a bedroom, a better connection between levels or a bathroom layout that makes more of the available space.
Stone twins and singles
Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, Germantown, East Falls, Roxborough and Overbrook Farms
Stairs, sloping ground, openings in stone such as Wissahickon schist, and upstairs bathrooms can shape a plan. A den or sunroom may be worth exploring for a first-floor suite; openings in masonry and changes to the approach need property-specific design.
Twins, ranches and split-levels
Fox Chase, Bustleton, Somerton, Parkwood, Torresdale and Academy Gardens
Half-flights, compact 1950s and 1960s bathrooms with tubs, and basement laundry can interrupt an otherwise useful main floor. Explore whether sleeping, bathing and laundry can be arranged on a connected level, alongside doorway and bathroom changes.
Condos and apartments
Center City, Rittenhouse, Logan Square, Society Hill towers and the Riverfront
A tub, narrow bathroom door or tight circulation may be the starting concern. Building management, association rules, required insurance, common elements, work access and approval requirements can influence what can change and how construction is sequenced.
How we consider a Philadelphia rowhouse, from the sidewalk up.
Follow the route a household actually uses, then connect the rooms and floors. Improving one room can leave the main difficulty unresolved if the entrance or the route to it still does not work.
Sidewalk and entry
Review the rise, steps, railings, landings and property boundaries. A ramp or lift that encroaches on the public right-of-way needs the applicable City review. A rear yard, alley, driveway or garage may offer a more practical approach; a deep vestibule may also be assessed with a lift specialist. Available space and required approvals determine the options.
First floor
Explore a full bathroom, a suitable place to sleep and the route between them. A powder room, rear kitchen, shed addition or dining room may be considered. A back room may become a bedroom connected by a wider dining-room opening and a short level route to the new bath, with privacy, plumbing, structure, ventilation and proposed use reviewed together.
Stairs
Consider treads, railings, landings, lighting and contrast at changes of level. Winding stairs and tight landings need particular attention. For a trinity, a curved stairlift rail, second handrail and step lights can be explored together. A specialist must determine whether equipment is appropriate and what circulation remains.
Second floor
If the bedroom remains upstairs, review how the bathroom works on that level and how it is reached. Shower access, supports, fixture placement and the night route should be considered alongside the stair plan.
Basement
Consider laundry, mechanical systems, new service routes, moisture and flood exposure. A basement bedroom or bathroom needs a review of the proposed use, emergency escape, building conditions and applicable requirements. Moving laundry upstairs may be a useful alternative.
From 'this is getting hard' to a home that works, in a clear sequence.
We start with what you want your home to do better, then work through the layout, building conditions and priorities together. The result is a remodeling scope shaped around your household and the spaces you use every day.
Tell us what's getting harder
Call or send us a project inquiry. Discuss who lives in the home, who visits, which routines are difficult and what may change.
Home Safety & Longevity Assessment (planned)
The comprehensive assessment includes a room-by-room walkthrough and measurements of doors, landings, thresholds and circulation, together with bathroom, stair, lighting and visible structural observations. Scope, deliverables and any applicable fee are agreed before the visit; this planned service is not yet bookable.
Written priorities and early cost guidance
Following the assessment, NK prepares a written report with immediate priorities, comfort improvements, longer-term adaptations, remodeling alternatives, preliminary budget ranges and phasing opportunities, providing a basis for the agreed project scope.
Coordinate design and professional input
NK provides and coordinates design and architectural services. We bring structural questions, equipment requirements and any recommendations from your clinician into the planning conversation, with the appropriate professional input for the work.
Confirm applicable approvals
NK prepares the required drawings and files through Philadelphia L&I's eCLIPSE system, confirming current building/trade permit and inspection requirements for the proposed scope. Historic, zoning and right-of-way questions are addressed where they apply.
Plan construction around essential rooms
Discuss access to a toilet, shower, sleeping space and the entrance during work. Building a new bathroom before altering the existing one may be an option where the agreed design and conditions allow.
Inspect and walk through the completed scope
Coordinate required project inspections and review the agreed work with the household. Walk through the rooms, controls and daily routes together, and review how the finished work meets the agreed scope.
NK's Home Safety & Longevity Assessment.
Planned to launch alongside Aging in Place Remodeling, NK's Home Safety & Longevity Assessment evaluates how your home supports everyday living and how it could adapt to changing needs. It includes a room-by-room walkthrough, measurements of doorways, thresholds, steps, hallways and circulation spaces, and review of bathrooms, stairs, lighting and visible structural conditions.
NK then prepares a written report identifying priority improvements, longer-term adaptations, remodeling alternatives, preliminary budget ranges and opportunities to phase the work. This comprehensive assessment goes beyond an ordinary project estimate to provide a sound basis for planning and budgeting.
The assessment identifies where architectural, structural engineering, lift-specialist or your own occupational or physical therapist's input may be appropriate. Scope, deliverables and any applicable fee are confirmed before the visit. Detailed engineering investigations, specialist evaluations and permit drawings are separate services where required. The assessment is not yet available to book.
Entries
Porch steps, routes from parking, thresholds, handrails, available site space and drainage.
Circulation
Hallways, openings, door swings, furniture positions and changes in floor level or material.
Stairs
Treads, rails, landings, lighting and any questions that need an equipment specialist.
Bathrooms
The route to the room, shower access, toilet approach, supports and space for a helper.
Kitchen
Seated and standing tasks, storage, appliances and routes used while carrying items.
Bedroom
Space around the bed, transfers, controls and the night route to the toilet, guided by individual needs.
Lighting
Entrances, stairs and night routes, including glare and shadows that make level changes harder to see.
Emergency routes
Exit doors, obstacles and routes from sleeping and living areas, with requirements determined for the proposed use.
When an accessibility plan reaches beyond the room.
- Structure and openings
- Is the wall bearing? Where do the joists land? What would a level shower mean for the floor? A first-floor bathroom or wider route can raise questions about the building around the finished room. Reviewing them early helps connect the room layout with the framing, supports and service routes it needs.
- Floors and connected work
- NK carries out structural construction, including beams, foundation walls, floors and stairs. A licensed structural engineer designs and stamps the load-bearing changes in the agreed scope. One coordinated contract covers the agreed design, engineering, construction and applicable approval and inspection work; NK remains your point of contact. Designs follow the actual building conditions and proposed layout.
- Planning for later
- Planning support-bar backing or possible future equipment provisions while walls are open may be useful, but location, design and future equipment requirements must be established. Equipment installation and connected remodeling are separate scopes to define with the appropriate specialist.
L&I permits, historic review, property boundaries and flood risk.
From a new bathroom to a different entrance, local requirements can shape the design and sequence of work. NK reviews the proposed scope and property conditions to identify the permits, drawings and other approvals the project needs.
Building and trade permits
Philadelphia L&I provides both plan-based and eligible EZ permit pathways. EZ work must meet the exact current standards; structural work is not assumed eligible. Plumbing, electrical and other trade requirements are considered with the building scope.
Contractor and trade authority
NK holds Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration #176617 and Philadelphia Contractor License #059408 and is licensed and insured. Confirm the documentation and qualified trades/design professionals appropriate to the agreed work before signing.
Historic designation
A property's designation and the proposed work determine Historical Commission review. Exterior access, railings and additions can involve protected features. The review depends on the property's designation and the work proposed, including interior changes where applicable.
Sidewalk and right-of-way
Philadelphia Streets reviews proposed public right-of-way encroachments, and L&I identifies the applicable permits and prerequisites. Sidewalk wheelchair elevators specifically require Streets and Art Commission approval before an L&I permit. Other ramps and lifts need proposal-specific review. NK confirms property limits, sidewalk passage, grade, landings and the applicable current review path before an installation is chosen.
Flood risk and basements
Review the actual address, flood information, existing water history and proposed use. Those findings help guide decisions about basement living space, equipment locations and whether first-floor options would be more practical.
Party walls, additions and zoning
Shared-wall and adjacent-property effects need review where the work triggers them. A rear addition also depends on the site and applicable zoning. Required drawings, property protection and approvals are identified for the actual proposal.
Homeowner resource
How to Hire an Aging-in-Place Contractor in Pennsylvania
Choosing the right contractor means looking beyond the estimate. Learn how to evaluate remodeling experience, understand what's included in a proposal, and check the credentials and paperwork that matter.
Our guide also covers important Pennsylvania homeowner protections before you sign a contract.
Aging-in-place planning across Philadelphia.
NK works in every Philadelphia neighborhood. Discuss your address and remodeling scope with us. From a narrow South Philadelphia row to a Northwest stone twin or a Northeast split-level, we start with how you use your home and where changes could make everyday life easier.
Center City and South Philadelphia
Rittenhouse, Fitler Square, Logan Square, Washington Square West, Society Hill, Old City, Queen Village, Bella Vista, Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze, East Passyunk, Pennsport, Whitman, Girard Estate, Packer Park and Marconi Plaza.
River Wards, North and West
Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Fairmount, Spring Garden, Brewerytown, Olney, Logan, University City, Spruce Hill, Cedar Park, Cobbs Creek, Overbrook, Wynnefield, Southwest Philadelphia and Eastwick.
Northwest Philadelphia
Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, Germantown, East Falls, Roxborough, Manayunk, Wissahickon and Andorra.
Northeast and Far Northeast
Frankford, Mayfair, Tacony, Holmesburg, Oxford Circle, Lawncrest, Rhawnhurst, Fox Chase, Bustleton, Somerton, Parkwood, Torresdale, Academy Gardens and Morrell Park.
Connected scopes
Other work that may be part of your project.
Explore the room and structural services where they relate to your plan, from bathroom and kitchen layouts to openings, walls and stairs.
Start a conversation
Discuss your aging-in-place or universal design project.
Tell us who lives in the home, who visits and what you want it to do better. Start with your routines, priorities and the rooms involved, and discuss how the remodeling scope could fit together.
NK replies the same day to project inquiries. Discussing the project does not obligate you to build. Any assessment scope, deliverables and applicable fee are confirmed before the visit; the planned assessment is not yet available to book.
Questions, answered
Aging in place remodeling questions.
Start with the planning questions that connect your needs with the existing home.
How can I check an aging-in-place contractor in Pennsylvania?
Check the contractor's Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration, insurance documentation, individual CAPS designation where claimed, relevant experience and references. Ask who will assess structure, prepare required drawings, undertake regulated trades and coordinate permits and inspections. Registration, individual training and engineering authority are different things.
Before signing, review the written scope, specifications, exclusions, payment schedule, change process, access arrangements and homeowner protections. Discuss permit responsibility and obtain the appropriate approvals before work that requires them. The protected contractor-hiring guide explains the six source checks and current Pennsylvania contract and deposit protections; a registration number alone does not establish project suitability.
What affects the cost of aging-in-place remodeling?
The cost of aging-in-place remodeling depends on the rooms and routes involved, existing conditions, layout changes, structural and trade work, finishes and applicable design and approval requirements. Start with a conversation about your project and likely scope. NK may then choose to provide an estimate without charge, at its discretion. Reviewing your home and defining the work gives you a more useful basis for budget decisions.
Does Medicare pay for aging-in-place home modifications?
Original Medicare generally does not cover home remodeling or permanent accessibility modifications, such as curbless showers, grab bars, ramps, widened doorways or first-floor bathrooms.
Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer supplemental benefits for home safety or accessibility modifications, including certain structural changes for eligible members with chronic conditions. Coverage depends on the specific plan, the proposed work and individual eligibility.
Before planning around Medicare Advantage benefits, contact your plan to confirm what modifications are covered, any benefit limits, required approvals and whether specific providers must perform the work.
Other assistance programs may be available to help eligible homeowners pay for modifications, separately from Medicare.
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