UNIVERSAL LIVING

The BIA Remodelers Council is pleased to offer the Universal Living Certification for the use of new home builders in the Midlands of South Carolina. This program helps all homeowners, builders and remodelers provide a ‘blueprint’ for active living environments that are inspiring, functional, efficient and safe for all generations and all abilities.

So, how can the program be used?
First a builder or company can make the decision to build homes to the plan on their own. A custom or small-volume builder can implement the program on their homes individually or across-the-board, or offer the certification as on option to their clients. Large scale builders can choose to redesign some of their plans to be Universal Living optional so customers have the choice to make their home more accessible and visitable with a minimum of hassle.

Or, if someone is about to build and the thought of a home for all generations and abilities is appealing, they can present the program to their builder (any builder) and have them follow it in the design and build process.

Download the Certified Universal Living program checklist [.pdf]

What does it cost?
There are three factors to consider when answering this question: 1) Cost to include items in the project, 2) cost of inspection/verification, and 3) certification fee.

– Cost to include items in the project – The checklist includes many items that would lead to a home becoming more accessible and usable by people of different generations and abilities. Some require no extra cost to the project and others may cost hundreds of dollars or more. In new construction, it is up to the builder/designer to make the best choices for their product. In a remodeling job, the client and remodeler will have to work together, in some cases consulting with an expert, to make the best and most cost-effective decisions for each particular case.

– Cost of inspection/verification – Program verifiers are allowed to set their own fees for services performed pertaining to this program.

– Certification fee – In order to keep this program up-to-date and running smoothly, we charge certification fees. In an effort to help builders of all sizes be able to use the program, we have a sliding scale based on number of homes certified in a 12-month period:

How is the program regulated?

In either path, the builder will have to work with an approved verifier to make sure they are following the program correctly and that all items selected from the checklist are included in the finished home. Once the final product is inspected and verified, the completed checklist is sent to the Remodelers Council for certification. A Universal Living Certification sticker will be issued and sent to the builder/homeowner to be affixed to the home. A record of all Universal Living Certified homes will be kept with the BIA Remodelers for future reference.

Approved verifiers in the program:

All About Energy
Trevor Michael
Ph. (803) 331-6701

DPIS – Home Energy Group
Noe Montalvo
(843) 216-0003

Kehoe Constructors, LLC
Tim Kehoe, CAPS, CGP
Ph. (803) 951-0494
E-mail
Kehoe Constructors, LLC

Suite65 LLC
Shaun Owens, PhD, MPH, CAPS
Ph. (901) 218-2852
E-mail
Suite65 LLC

If you have any questions on this program, please contact Bin Wilcenski at the BIA of Central SC.

Phone: (803) 256-6238 or e-mail.