For residential design, however, the ADA standards should not be considered the final word, says Bob Black, CGR and owner of Access of Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.).

“Remodelers really have to understand the needs of the individual clients before they can begin designing for them,” says Black, who serves on the Remodelors Council’s Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist task force. “What works for someone who is 6-8 obviously won’t work for someone who is 4-10. This is definitely not a matter of one size fits all, but that’s how ADA has to treat it.” Black also recommends considering other personal limitations such as range of motion and upper-body strength when placing grab bars and fixtures. “Absolutely no two cases are the same in accessible design. Remodelers have to start from the beginning with each one.”

New fixtures make a difference
The 1992 Energy Policy Act mandated the manufacturing of more efficient plumbing fixtures and other water-using appliances to conserve water. Standards include shower heads and faucets that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute, and toilets that use only 1.6 gallons per flush. If homeowners fear the low-flush toilet, they can ask remodelers to remove and reinstall the old one — but you can sell them on the benefit of reducing their water bills.

The American Water Works Association estimates that families in typical American single-family homes with water-saving fixtures and appliances use about 30% less water daily than families in homes without such features.

The table below breaks out the savings by category of equipment:

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