Over the past few years, Mike Miller has received phone calls about performing small repairs that would make houses accessible for the elderly and disabled. A year ago, he decided to formalize the niche by creating the Special Needs division at Apex Remodeling, Highland, Ind. One of the ways Miller has marketed the services is with a brochure that he provides to hospital waiting rooms and medical equipment companies.
Many of the jobs are for adult children who are either supervising work for their elderly parents' homes or preparing for their parent to move into their own homes. The jobs include widening doorways and adding wheelchair ramps.
Other jobs are for victims of accidents or illness who need a quick house renovation before their release from the hospital. "It's tough to operate like that, but now we have enough employees that we can handle these jobs," Miller says.
His regular crews handle the work and have gotten to know the codes for ramp slopes, thresholds, and cabinet heights.
Miller says these jobs require extra patience and sensitivity, because the client has often been through a traumatic experience.
The company also completes one project per quarter at no cost. "We decided to make our own charity," Miller says. "We take submissions and draw a name out of a hat every quarter."
