February 10, 2025
What to Expect During the Care Home Building Process – A Step-by-Step Guide The UK's demand for care home facilities is rising. Constructing a care home facility might be challenging for inexperienced contractors. The Construction Design & Management (CDM) Regulations mandate employing an experienced contractor in construction projects. The care home construction involves constructing a building that will suit the needs of patients. It is different from irregular residential or industrial homes. You may need to build big halls to house paints for patients. The following blog will take you through constructing a care home in the UK with a special focus on patient safety and security.
Step 1: Initial Planning & Feasibility Study
The primary purpose of building a care home is to provide specialised care facilities to children or older adults. People in their old age often develop dementia and other critical diseases that require special attention. However, the first step in building a care home is to analyse the local demand for care homes.
You must determine the construction cost and how much the facility will add value to residents. You should also determine the total number of residences your care home will accommodate and the specific type of care you would provide. It will help you clear the pain and objectives of the care home facility.
Finally, you should choose the right spot for constructing the care home facility. Having easy accessibility through the road can be a safe choice on location.
Step 2: Securing Permits & Regulatory Compliance
The next phase involves looking for any regulations related to care home construction. This will help you design the care home construction facility appropriately. The Care Quality Commission in the UK inspects care home facilities to ensure the residents’ safety.
So, building a safe care home for residents becomes a natural criterion. You should ensure the property has a proper fire management system, an emergency exit system, and others. Before you start the construction process, you should also consider following environmental regulations. In the UK, permission from the local government authority is necessary to construct a care home.
Step 3: Designing the Care Home
The construction process and layout design for a care facility are crucial. You need to plan for a simple building layout that is easy to navigate. You must incorporate emergency exit facilities and a non-slippery floor and install a grab rail along the staircase.
The building must contain wide doorways so residents can move in and out quickly. Wide doors will also help move stretchers in and out comfortably. Medical equipment can also be transferred from one room to another if required. When it comes to interior design and choosing a painting’s colour, select a light theme. This will induce a calm and soothing effect among the residents.
Employ a contractor who works closely with healthcare professionals to ensure compliance and ultimate safety for the care recipients. This will help design the care home facility in their best interest.
Step 4: Construction Phase & Challenges
At this stage, you should prepare for the building’s construction. This involves preparing the site, excavating, piling, and laying the foundation, depending on the superstructure load. Make sure to choose a care home builder who is an expert in completing the project within the given timeline. He should also comply with the necessary regulations to make the facility safe for all the residents. During the construction process, your contractor must install an emergency alarm system.
Step 5: Interior Fit-Out & Final Touches
Once the construction process is over, you should focus on the facility’s interior decoration. Install advanced beds for the ultimate safety and care of residents. Ensure all the safety features, such as the alarm system, fire extinguisher, intercom, and cameras, are working well. This will enhance the safety of your residence and make the care home safe for everyone.
Step 6: Licensing & Opening the Care Home
When the construction process and final inspection are over, seek permission from the local government and ask for applications from care receivers. Present your care home’s specialities and safety features to the government authority and potential residents. This will help them understand why your care facility stands out from others. During this phase, except for constructive feedback from government inspectors and residents. It will help you improve the facility with additional changes or facility installation.
Conclusion
The first step in building a quality care home facility is to choose a credible and experienced contractor. Then, develop a building layout. Ensure that the design is simple and easy to navigate. If the building is too complicated, people with dementia might find it difficult to roam around.
Install safety features like an emergency alarm system and security cameras. Also, ask your contractor to install a non-slippery floor and grab rails along the staircase. Finally, comply with the government revolution to be a safe care home facility for residents. If you want to build a care home facility, contact Care Home Builders today! We ensure ultimate safety and regulatory compliance.