Feasibility question

[Andrewanddogs]

We will be having a relative with some mobility issues coming to live with me in my small detached 1984 house. I don’t want a stair lift but I’ve been thinking about having a small sub 3m2 brick porch built on the front of the house. My thoughts are could a builder stihl saw an opening in the downstairs wc cavity wall and build in a small 700mm wide shower that’s within the brick porch? Attached are a few photos and a rough illustration. If it’s too much hassle I won’t bother but if it’s feasible I will get quotes from a few local builders. 

[-rick-]

Side point, is a small shower going to work for someone with mobility issues? Accessible bathrooms generally require more space than that (look up the building regs requirements)*. A full width extension would be better if possible.

 

Another option to consider is turning the room into a wetroom with the shower sharing space with everything else. Would be more hassle to look after but much easier for a person with reduced mobility to use.

 

* Building regs (from page 19): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f8a82ed915d74e622b17b/BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf

Edited 5 hours ago by -rick-

[Nickfromwales]

You’d need an 1100mm tray minimum, so a drop down seat can go at the shower end. The valve and riser rail need to be in front of the user when they’re sat down, with the riser rail at half height in the room. 
 

I fit extra long hoses, and a second ‘holster’ up high so an able-bodied person can enjoy a shower in there too, or your new visitor can use it standing up whilst they’re still possibly able to do so. 

 

Needs to be a sliding door or hinged to open outwards, not an infold, to cover you against someone taking a tumble and holding the door shut.

 

Single storey small side extension would seem less damaging to the look of the house, and be far more practical.

 

All depends on the age of the person, level of mobility, and if their situation will worsen over time. 
 

A grant may be made available to you or to them so ask CAB for advice on this, to maybe offset the builders costs. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Nickfromwales

[saveasteading]

8 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Single storey small side extension 

The cost of doubling the extension size would only be about 1/3 extra as a guess,  so I endorse this,  and get a proper shower as result.

[Andrewanddogs]

Thank you for your comments. I will look at a proper extension instead 👍