Philadelphia · NW

Aging-in-place work in Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill homes were built to last. The challenge isn't whether the house can be adapted — it's making sure the work blends into a home that's been quietly beautiful for a hundred years.

Chestnut Hill houses, in our experience

Most of what we work on here is stone single homes from 1900 to 1940 — Wissahickon schist, slate roofs, oversized lots. Bigger budgets, bigger rooms, and original fixtures that owners are reluctant to lose. The houses have room to make changes; the question is usually which changes, not whether.

What we get called about

• Adding a full bathroom on the first floor. Many Chestnut Hill homes have a powder room near the kitchen with enough adjacent space to turn it into a full accessible bath — no need to remodel the main upstairs bathroom.
• Designer-grade curbless showers. Tile work that matches existing finishes, brushed nickel hardware that reads as updated rather than medical.
• Lever handles throughout the house. Swapping original knob hardware to lever handles on doors, plus single-lever faucets in kitchen and bath — small change, big quality-of-life difference.
• Carriage-house and second-residence conversions. A few of our Chestnut Hill clients have added accessible suites in former carriage houses for an aging parent moving in.

What we charge

Grab bars and basic upgrades start at $180–$320 installed. A first-floor bathroom build-out in a Chestnut Hill home is typically $18,000–$32,000 depending on plumbing reroutes and finish level. Curbless shower conversions run $11,000–$22,000 with designer tile. We don't quote until we've walked the house.

Who we work with here

We've worked alongside several Chestnut Hill interior designers when modifications needed to disappear into a larger renovation, and we've taken direct referrals from Penn Medicine geriatricians and physical therapists at Magee Rehab. PA-licensed (PA090916), family-owned, same crew start to finish.