Taking steps towards safety: home modifications for double-storey and split-level homes

The typical Australian house looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago. Where once Aussie suburbs were an ocean of single-storey homes, the housing mix has increasingly trended towards multilevel homes over recent years.

There’s no way around it: this trend towards multistorey living presents a major barrier for many NDIS participants. After all, stairs and upper levels can’t be modified or removed from the property.

Modifying multistorey homes is more complex than single storey homes. However, NDIS builders are nothing if not resourceful, and there are plenty of ways multilevel homes can be made accessible ranging from NDIS stair lift installation to smaller modifications. With the right modifications, NDIS participants can continue living in their homes safely and independently, regardless of how many storeys their house has.

Everything you need to know about NDIS stair lift and wheelchair lift installation

For people who live in homes with two or more storeys, NDIS stair lift installation offers a viable way of continuing to live independently and safely, without having to move out.

Stair lift installation is one of the more common modifications the NDIS will fund when it comes to staircases. These are powered systems that carry participants up and down flights of stairs using a motorised seat which is attached to a railing or track that follows the course of the staircase.

Wheelchair lifts are similar, but instead of a seat, the system instead uses a flat platform which wheelchair users roll directly onto.

They can be fully-automated or manually controlled by participants via a remote built into the armrest. Some modern systems even allow for smartphone controls, and can be incorporated as part of an NDIS smart home solution.

For participants with limited mobility, these are often the best option for continuing independence and mobility around the home, offering unfettered access throughout the home.

Busting common myths about NDIS stair lift installation

Myth: stair lifts only work on straight staircases

Today’s stair lift systems use modular rail systems, including curved tracks to deal with corners and bends. This enables home modification builders to tailor NDIS stair lift installation for a much wider variety of homes and staircases – in addition to cornered staircases, they can also be customised for homes with longer or steeper staircases too.

Myth: your walls will need to be reinforced first

Many stair lift systems are made out of lightweight materials and are mounted directly into the floor. Not only does this eliminate the need to drill into the walls, but it also allows stair lifts to be installed even in freestanding staircases which don’t connect to any walls.

Myth: NDIS stair lift installation will take up too much space

Under AS1657-2018, stairways must be ≥ 600mm wide inside the stiles, with 550mm clearance between rails. Modern stair lift seats and rails are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, so they fit comfortably within these dimensions. Additionally, many systems will have seats or platforms that fold up when not in use, saving even more space.

Myth: stair lifts are useless in a power outage

One of the biggest fears NDIS participants have with stair lifts is not being able to use them following a power outage. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. Our NDIS approved builders in Melbourne are experienced in installing Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems which ensure continued usability even following loss of power.

Myth: you can’t install stair lifts outside

Many modern stair lift systems are built to be water and corrosion-resistant, allowing them to be installed for outdoor stairs as well. As long as there’s a nearby power source and the ground can support the railings, there’s nothing stopping NDIS builders from installing stairlifts on outdoor stairs and steps.

More than chair lifts for stairs: other home modifications for multilevel homes

Ramp installation

Not all stairs and steps are big enough to warrant stair lift installation. Some homes built on uneven ground may have half-levels, with small stairs consisting of 3-4 steps separating them. Outdoor stairs such as front steps and veranda steps are also examples of smaller stairs that can be found around many Australian homes.

In cases such as these, it can be more economical to instead install threshold or wheelchair access ramps in these areas. Not to mention, small ramps may be more likely to be approved by the NDIS – cost-effectiveness and value-for-money are key NDIS funding criteria, after all.

Handrail installation

It might not look like it, but handrails are some of the most cost-effective modifications for supporting mobility. When it comes to stairs or steps, they become especially important.

The NDIS supports a variety of people, each with different abilities. For some participants, all they need is extra stability while using stairs. This is a common issue in some older homes, where staircases may only have a railing on one side. In these cases, adding railings can make a big difference in making stairs easier to use.

How adding key amenities to ground floors can make multilevel homes more accessible

Making a multilevel home more accessible doesn’t stop with installing chair lifts for stairs. There’s always room for improvement, even in homes with modified staircases.

NDIS builders can also make a double-storey home more accessible by adding key amenities on the more accessible ground floor. This can range from adding toilets and showers downstairs, to more complex modifications such as converting an existing ground-level rooms into a bedroom.

After all, the best way to avoid a stair-related accident is to minimise stair usage as much as possible. (Incidentally, this is one of the reasons we’re seeing a trend towards double-storey houses moving the master bedroom to the ground floor.)

Naturally, the need for such modifications will depend on the participant’s abilities, as well as the property itself. If the participant has sufficient mobility to go up or down the stairs on their own and simply needs support to make it easier, then modifications may be limited to just staircases.

That said, there will be some cases where this is the best way to ensure NDIS participants can keep living in their homes. In these cases, you’ll need to engage NDIS builders with experience when it comes to planning, organising, and executing complex modification such as these.

Whether it’s stair lift installation or other modifications, our NDIS builders can help you

Accessibility is improving in double-storey homes. For example, the updated National Construction Code includes new requirements that aim to make double-storey homes more accessible across the board.

However, for NDIS participants, there’s always more that can be done to improve participant independence and safety.

Our NDIS builders in Melbourne are experienced in modifying a wide range of homes across the state. This includes updating double-storey and multilevel homes with a range of modifications, ranging from wheelchair and stair lifts to a range of other modifications as part of a comprehensive fall prevention strategy.

Take steps toward safety today by calling our team on 1300 333 746, or by filling in our form.