Re: Can home builders charge extra for modification/ramps?

[Guest guest]

When we had our home built 6 years ago, they built in $4000 extra for the

costs of the kitchen, lowered cabinents etc. . . .. lowering light

switches was not an added cost as long as it was specified before that

phase of the job. . . .the lowered basement stail rail end up being a

two level one . .looks like a slanted oval. . . to meet the code

requirements for an average size person and an LP.

Yes, when it comes to custom. . .. the disabled are not charged less . .

..because it is custom, like anybody else. Depending on her income, she

might be eligible for some grants. . .

Marge

On Fri, 06 Dec 2002 01:43:20 -0000 " indyspears2001 "

<indyspears1@...> writes:

>

>

> A coworker/friend of mine is disabled and in a wheelchair and

> she

> is having her house custom built for her(ramps,cabinets,etc) and she

>

> was told by her builder that it would cost her extra for each

> modification that is performed. Can they do this? Is this legal? I

>

> wasn't sure about this, since our house wasn't modified for Holly

> and

> I. Forgive me if this subject was brought up before, but I am hoping

>

> that someone might have some information on this so I can pass this

>

> on to her. I really appreciate this.

>

>

> Thank You

> Mike

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

As you know, when a person has a disability, everything costs money

and usually a lot of.

I dont see why they should charge more if the house hasnt been built

yet, and the only difference is Less wood (for instance) because the

counters may not be as high, and so on. But this is my opinion. I

dont know much about Carpentry and so on.

But it May cost more to add a ramp, because there are codes and

measurements that needs to be added, and most houses do not need a

ramp added to it.

However My suggestion for you is to call the Americans with

Disabilities Act, ADA, Tech center at 1-800-944-4232

They would be best to tell you if this is legal under the ADA.

I hope this resource helps!

a

>

>

> A coworker/friend of mine is disabled and in a wheelchair and

she

> is having her house custom built for her(ramps,cabinets,etc) and

she

> was told by her builder that it would cost her extra for each

> modification that is performed. Can they do this? Is this legal? I

> wasn't sure about this, since our house wasn't modified for Holly

and

> I. Forgive me if this subject was brought up before, but I am

hoping

> that someone might have some information on this so I can pass this

> on to her. I really appreciate this.

>

>

> Thank You

> Mike

[Guest guest]

if a trek builder builds lots of homes next to each other has caned prints

that they use

even moving a window 2 in side ways can changer the price

and custom build kit. cabinets can cost 3-4 times the price of stock mas

built ones

other builders the more mom and pop kinds can some times changer stuff

cheaper

At 01:43 AM 12/6/02 +0000, indyspears2001 wrote:

> A coworker/friend of mine is disabled and in a wheelchair and she

>is having her house custom built for her(ramps,cabinets,etc) and she

>was told by her builder that it would cost her extra for each

>modification that is performed. Can they do this? Is this legal? I

>wasn't sure about this, since our house wasn't modified for Holly and

>I. Forgive me if this subject was brought up before, but I am hoping

>that someone might have some information on this so I can pass this

>on to her. I really appreciate this.

>

>

>Thank You

>Mike

>

>

>

>===

>

[Guest guest]

---snip---

> I dont see why they should charge more if the house hasnt been built

> yet, and the only difference is Less wood (for instance) because the

> counters may not be as high, and so on. But this is my opinion. I

> dont know much about Carpentry and so on.

--snip--

Think of it from their point of view. Most houses built these days

have 'typical' plans. It takes time to modify those plans to meet our

requirements and " time is money " . So yes, they are justified in

charging for changes (modifications) in the plans, even if made before

the first nail has been struck. It isn't about how much wood is used,

it is more about making sure the changes are made correctly and that

they meet requirments.

M.......

> >

> >

> > A coworker/friend of mine is disabled and in a wheelchair and

> she

> > is having her house custom built for her(ramps,cabinets,etc) and

> she

> > was told by her builder that it would cost her extra for each

> > modification that is performed. Can they do this? Is this legal?

I

> > wasn't sure about this, since our house wasn't modified for Holly

> and

> > I. Forgive me if this subject was brought up before, but I am

> hoping

> > that someone might have some information on this so I can pass

this

> > on to her. I really appreciate this.

> >

> >

> > Thank You

> > Mike

[Guest guest]

>A coworker/friend of mine is disabled and in a wheelchair and she

>is having her house custom built for her(ramps,cabinets,etc) and

>she was told by her builder that it would cost her extra for each

>modification that is performed. Can they do this? Is this legal?

The keyword here is " custom " . As others have pointed out most

builders use pre-designed plan. These plans give calculated costs of

materials based on local pricing. The contractor has a very close

idea of what it will cost to build even before the first nail is

hammered. This includes labor costs. Now let's say your friend,

because of her wheelchair needs wider door access. Standard spacing

between wall studs is 16 " center to center. Because now the doors

need to be wider, this throws off that measurement and it has to be

refigured. This can result in more costs for both materials and

labor. The same goes with hanging cabinetry. Everything is pretty

much based on standard measurements and when those are changed, so

is the materials list and labor cost.

As for the legality. Perfectly legal. A private contractor is just

that, a private contractor. They are bound to building codes and the

likes which deal with some disability issues. But when building a

private residence, the ADA does not apply except in circumstances

where there might be public access to the building as in the

instance of a business being conducted in the home; i.e. beauty

shop, etc. In those cases the homeowner is the one actually required

to make sure the ADA guidelines are met.

M.