Home adaptation guidance
Accessible home adaptation guides
Understand common home adaptations, compare options and learn what to check before contacting an accessible bathroom installer, ramp specialist, lift company or wider adaptation contractor.
Not sure where to start?
Build a simple home adaptation journey
Answer three questions about what you are considering, whether you have had professional advice and whether funding may be relevant. We will organise the most useful guidance and next steps for you.
Choose an adaptation
What type of work are you considering?
- Read this guide
Accessible kitchens
Understand accessible, adapted and wheelchair-friendly kitchen options, what to discuss with installers and how to search for potential companies near you.
- Read this guide
Accessible bathrooms
Explore accessible bathrooms, mobility bathrooms, wet rooms, walk-in showers and level-access shower options, then search for potential installers near you.
- Read this guide
Ramps and access
Learn about wheelchair ramps, modular ramps, handrails and accessible entrance changes, then search for potential installers near you.
- Read this guide
Wider doors
Understand door widening, low-threshold entrances and wheelchair-access changes, then find potential joinery, building and access companies near you.
- Read this guide
Stairlifts, lifts and hoists
Compare stairlifts, through-floor lifts, wheelchair platform lifts, step lifts and hoists, then search for potential installation companies near you.
- Read this guide
Grab rails and handrails
Understand where grab bars, grab rails, support rails and handrails may help, common fitting considerations and how to find potential installers near you.
- Read this guide
Downstairs bedrooms and room conversions
Explore downstairs bedrooms, garage conversions, ground-floor living spaces and accessible extensions, including the associated building work.
- Read this guide
Heating, lighting and accessible controls
Learn about accessible thermostats, lighting controls, switches, sockets, door-entry systems and assistive smart-home controls.
- Read this guide
Stairlifts and through-floor lifts
Compare stairlifts, through-floor lifts and platform lifts, including assessment, space, installation, servicing and funding considerations.
- Read this guide
Walk-in and level-access showers
Understand the differences between walk-in showers, level-access showers and wet rooms before planning an accessible bathroom adaptation.
- Read this guide
Wheelchair ramp planning and regulations
Review domestic wheelchair-ramp design, planning and regulatory considerations before choosing a permanent, modular or temporary solution.
- Read this guide
VAT relief for adaptations
Learn how VAT relief may apply to qualifying disability-related goods, services and building work, and what evidence suppliers may request.
- Read this guide
Occupational therapist assessments
Understand what happens during an occupational therapist home assessment and how recommendations can shape equipment, adaptations and funding decisions.
- Read this guide
Landlords, tenants and adaptations
Review the questions tenants and landlords should resolve before disability-related adaptations are installed in a rented home.
Funding and council support
Find home adaptation support from your local council
Use the postcode of the property being adapted to identify the relevant local authority and find official information about Disabled Facilities Grants or other local adaptation support.
The lookup is an indicative postcode-based handoff, not an eligibility decision. The council will confirm whether a grant or another form of adaptation support applies.
Choosing and checking a company
Research companies and quotations before arranging work
- Read this guide
Check a company before arranging work
A plain-English checklist for checking a company’s identity, experience, insurance, quotation and working arrangements before you commit.
- Read this guide
Compare home adaptation quotations
Learn how to compare quotations for bathrooms, ramps, lifts, kitchens and other home adaptations without focusing only on the lowest total price.
- Read this guide
Understand Companies House records
A plain-English explanation of the public company information you may see while researching a home adaptation company.
- Read this guide
Questions to ask a company
A practical question list for conversations with builders, bathroom installers, ramp companies, lift specialists and other home adaptation contractors.
Using these guides
Prepare before contacting a company
- Consider which daily activities are difficult and what you want the adaptation to help you do.
- Ask companies about relevant experience, insurance, references and how they make work safe while it is in progress.
- Request a written quote that clearly describes the proposed work, materials, timescales and payment stages.
- Check whether you may be eligible for support through your local council or a Disabled Facilities Grant before committing to work.
Find local support
Search for home adaptation companies near you
Enter your town, city or postcode, choose a search radius and select the type of adaptation or trade you need. Save relevant companies on this device so you can review them again later.