Step by step process for home adaptations

Step 4 - planning and quotes

Following the Occupational Therapist (OT) recommendations, the next steps are below. It is important to ensure the plans are correct, as this will save time and money.

Drawing up the plans

Drawing plans, then reaching an agreement between all parties involved can take time. The initial plans will be on paper. This allows for adjustments until all parties are in agreement with them.

The project manager/surveyor/architect will draw the plans. They will then send them to:

• you
• your child/young person's OT
• and the other relative parties for review.

Agreeing the initial plans

Adjustments to the inital plans occur. They will change until they meet your child/young person's need. This can take several attempts and months. Agreement of the plan will be between the following parties:

• child/young person
• parent/carer/family
• child/young person's OT
• District/Borough (D/B) Council grants team
• project manager/surveyor/architect

Please be aware: Changing plans later can be costly and delay the process.

Reviewing and finalising plans

The plans must meet your child/young person's assessed needs. The OT will confirm this. Your OT will also confirm if the plans meet the DFG criteria. You will also need to confirm your agreement of the plans. If you disagree with them please consult the OT.

The OT will get your agreement of the finalised plans. Agreeing the plans together helps avoid future delays. Your D/B Council grant officer will check that the plans meet DFG funding criteria. If assessed needs do not meet DFG criteria, then the OT will seek alternative funding options.

The DFG pays for finishings that meet your child/young person's identified needs. You might prefer upgrades or additional features. For example, alternative bathroom tiles. You'll need to fund the difference in cost of these compared to the standard DFG option yourself. This will need agreement from the OT and D/B Council grants team before installation.

Family preferred schemes

Please see Step 3 - Funding for family preferred scheme funding considerations. You may wish to complete your own home adaptations. These may not be specific to your child/young person's needs identified by the OT. You can complete these at the same time as the OT recommended major home adaptations. The OT must approve your planned scheme meets your child/young person's needs. The OT will then request the D/B Council approval.

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Plans are finalised, what happens next?

The project manager will compile a Schedule Of Works (SOW). A SOW provides a detailed breakdown of each section of the building work. The project manager compiles a SOW and sends it with the finalised plans to the OT and D/B Council. The OT approves both documents and sends them to the project manager.

Is temporary rehousing/respite care needed to enable the building work to happen?

Some building work renders properties uninhabitable. During these periods, temporary rehousing or respite care may need further consideration. Do you have access to a family member's home you can use? Do you have any other temporary rehousing options you can explore using? The OT can consider alternative temporary rehousing options. The social worker can consider alternative respite options. These can only happen if you provide evidence that you cannot meet this need in the first instance.

Planning permission

Some, but not all, major home adaptations need planning permission. The project manager applies for the planning permission. Please see the contact page for the online planning portal for each D/B Council. The portals provide updates planning permission applications. Average waiting times for planning permission approvals is 8 to 16 weeks.

Quotes

Builders will receive the SOW from the project manager. They may then need to visit your home to quote for the work. The builder will then send the tendered quote to your project manager. The D/B Council expects up to three tendered quotes for the proposed building work. This provides an accurate market rate for the building work.

Detailed information on planning, quotes and building work is available from your project manager and your D/B Council.

Further information on the national guidance on Disabled Facilities Grants delivery can be found on GOV.UK.