People with mobility limitations need spaces that offer them freedom of movement and security. A barrier-free bathroom is an essential part of handicapped-accessible facilities. But what do you have to pay attention to when converting and what funding options does the state offer?
Spacious showers, disabled-accessible toilets and washbasins that can also be used from a wheelchair are the building blocks of an adapted bathroom. For landlords, the public sector contributes to the costs of setting up a disabled-accessible bathroom. Owners or private individuals, on the other hand, can deduct the conversion to make it accessible to disabled people as an extraordinary burden. TheCredit Institution for Reconstruction (KfW) supports with loans and grantswhen sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets are installed that meet disabled-accessible requirements.
The funding program for landlords applies to the conversion of existing properties, i.e. only in the case of renovation or modernization. If updating the bathroom is only part of the overall remodel, consumers should make sure to itemize all remodeling costs. If the renovation costs account for more than 15% of the total purchase price of a property, special tax regulations apply. More on thisfind out here.
New buildings do not benefit from this funding, but other funding programs can be integrated, for example when it comes to...energy efficient constructiongoes. In any case, it is worth checking the public funding in connection with the overall financing in order to save on financing interest and construction costs.
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When expanding the bathroom to be handicapped accessible, certain measures are considered deductible. These include, for example, installing a seated bathtub with a bathtub door or widening the doors to make them wheelchair accessible. However, in tax law there are no comprehensive requirements that must be met in order for a bathroom to be classified as handicapped accessible. Only renovation work that is solely due to illness or disability can be claimed for tax purposes. Nevertheless, a barrier-free bathroom should have the following features:
- The layout of the room will be changed so that wheelchairs can be maneuvered.
- Installation of floor-level showers.
- Disabled-accessible modernization of sink, bathtub and toilet. The height of the toilet and washbasin is adjustable, and the bathtubs are easier to get into.
- All steps and other tripping hazards have been removed.
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The products that are suitable for furnishing are not only designed for people with physical limitations. The design is appealing, individual solutions appear spacious and inviting. The results aremodern bathrooms, which provide security for people with physical disabilities and yet appear inviting thanks to their modern design.
A floor-level shower looks elegant and meets all safety requirements. When it comes to high quality handicapped-accessible showers, every detail is important: every single facility is designed to offer the user comfort and safety. In practice, the threshold-free entry means that stumbling is virtually impossible. If a door leads to the floor-level shower, it must be easy to operate and without much effort. It is recommended to design the entry area of a shower without grooves or rails. A wide entrance also contributes to security. It is also possible for two people to be in the shower at the same time so that a disabled person or person in need of care, including a wheelchair, and a carer can comfortably fit. By the way, when choosing colors, you should also keep in mind that people with poor eyesight can quickly orientate themselves. A color coding system or signal colors are advantageous for identifying the door opening and marking glass surfaces.
