Builders Program
As a professional home builder, you know how important it is to set your
new homes apart to make them appealing to home buyers. You may already be
participating in certification programs for energy efficiency because you
know it helps you to sell houses. Now you can enjoy the same benefits by
capitalizing on the latest trend in residential housing: accessibility.
The EasyLiving Home® certification, as a recognized brand name, shows
prospective buyers that your homes will be easy to live in today and
tomorrow. The convenience of a step-free entry is immediately apparent . . .
a feature that homeowners will appreciate not only when grandmother comes to
visit, but also when it's time to move furniture or bring the baby's
stroller in from the car.
EasyLiving Home® is backed by a solid coalition made up of respected
housing industry leaders, government and non-profit organizations, and
disability advocacy groups. You will receive complete technical support to
assist with design issues and marketing materials to educate buyers on the
extra convenience and value an EasyLiving Home® provides.
Best of all, it is surprisingly inexpensive to incorporate the required
EasyLiving Home® features in your house plans.
For details, fill out a preliminary
application and we will supply you with an information packet. There's
absolutely no obligation. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can
begin enjoying the many benefits of the EasyLiving Home® program!
Construction Requirements
The purpose of the EasyLiving Home® Builders’ Certification Program is to
promote the building of homes with features that make a home more livable,
attractive, visitable and convenient for everyone. Features required to earn
the EasyLiving Home® certification are simple to include in nearly any plan:
- Easy Access: a step-free entrance with a threshold
of not more than one-half inch into to the main living area.
- Easy Passage: the exterior door that provides the
step-free entrance and all interior doorways are a 2’10” or 3’0” door or
other solution that allows a minimum of 32” clear passage.
- Easy Use: no less than one bedroom, a kitchen, some
entertainment area and at least one full bathroom with maneuvering space
of 30” x 48” in front of commode, sink and tub or shower, all on the
main floor.
That's it!
You may be familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which
requires access in commercial construction. EasyLiving Home® is different
because it is a voluntary program for single-family homes, rather than a
law, and covers only a few basic features.
Marketing Support
In addition to an EasyLiving Home® certificate and seal for each home, we
provide home buyer education materials for your use, a member's only Web
site, a newsletter packed with the latest marketing ideas, and national
promotion of the program to the public.
Do I have to build from one of your plans?
Absolutely not! We can review your own plans to be sure that all required
features are included. EasyLiving Home approved plans are now
available through Frank Betz Associates. (link) Multi-level
homes and homes on slopes (even steep slopes) are eligible for EasyLiving
Home® certification because the required features apply only to the level
served by the step-free entrance.
Registration Fee – Pricing Structure
Program fees are based on how many certified homes you build each year.
See the member application packet for details. Builders will join their
local statewide EasyLiving Home® affiliate, where registration and
certification costs may vary. If we don’t yet have a affiliate in your
state, please contact us today about getting one
started.
For complete program details, please use our online preliminary application
or contact us by telephone or email.