What are the challenges of Refurbishing a Care Home?

February 26, 2026

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Refurbishing a care home is nothing like working on an empty office or a house. Here, the building is full of life. Residents and staff are there every day, and our work happens alongside their routines and care. One of the main challenges is minimising disruption. Many residents are older or living with dementia, and even small changes or loud noises can be unsettling. Staff also need to carry on providing care, so it’s important that our work doesn’t get in their way.

Safety is always a top priority. Building work brings risks you don’t see in daily care home life, so we pay close attention to things like dust, safe walkways, infection control, and making sure work areas are kept separate from where people live. Regulatory meeting regulations are another challenge. Refurbishments must comply with the latest building safety and care standards. Older buildings can hide surprises, such as outdated wiring or layouts that no longer work for everyone. Unexpected findings behind walls or beneath floors can affect budgets. And with rising material and labour costs, projects need careful planning to remain financially viable.
There’s also more pressure now to make care homes accessible and sustainable. Features like wider corridors, easy-access bathrooms, better ventilation, and energy-saving systems aren’t just nice to have; they’re now expected as standard.

How We Address These Challenges

At Care Home Builders, we approach refurbishment with structure and foresight. Every project begins with a clear understanding of how your home operates day to day. We plan work around that reality, not against it. Phased refurbishment is often the most effective solution. By upgrading one area at a time, we keep essenWe usually refurbish in phases, working on one area at a time. This way, the rest of the home stays open, residents can stick to their routines, and staff can do their jobs without extra stress. The segregation of work zones, dust management, clear signage, and daily site checks. Materials are carefully selected for healthcare environments, and construction methods are chosen with resident well-being in mind.
We also look at the bigger picture when it comes to costs. We suggest durable materials that last, layouts that help staff work more effectively, and energy-saving systems to keep future bills down. Our aim is to make sure your investment pays off for years to come.
We keep up with all the latest rules. If your layout needs to change for better access or fire safety, we’ll let you know. Because we’ve worked in care homes for years, we can spot compliance issues early and help you avoid expensive surprises.

Our Refurbishment Process

A successful refurbishment relies on a clear and transparent process. It begins with an in-depth consultation and site review. We assess the current condition of your building, listen to your concerns, and understand your operational priorities. This allows us to identify what truly needs upgrading and what can remain. We then prepare a detailed plan outlining the scope of work, realistic timelines, budget forecasts, and practical design recommendations. This stage ensures everyone involved has a clear picture of what will happen and when.
Once the plan is agreed, we move into delivery. Works are scheduled carefully to minimise disruption. Regular communication with care home management ensures that emerging issues are resolved quickly and that you remain fully informed throughout the project. When the work is finished, we conduct a full check to ensure everything meets the agreed standards, is safe, and is ready for use.
The end result isn’t just a building that looks better. It’s a safer, more welcoming place that supports both residents and staff for years to come.

What Refurbishment Really Means for Residents

If you run a care home, you already understand that the environment shapes experience. How a house looks, feels, and functions affects how residents live, staff work, and families judge the quality of care. At Care Home Builders, we have spent years working inside active care homes and seen the difference a thoughtful refurbishment can make.

The best changes are not cosmetic. They respond to the day-to-day needs of older people. For example, one care home we worked with had narrow corridors, poor lighting, and noisy communal spaces. These weren’t structural flaws, but they made residents anxious and limited their mobility. The atmosphere changed completely after reconfiguring the layout, introducing quieter flooring, and adding more natural light. Residents were spending more time together, and staff reported fewer behavioural incidents.

Modernising a space can also mean improving care quality. Updating bathrooms, replacing outdated hoists, and creating clearer sightlines for staff can all reduce risk and enhance dignity. In homes supporting people with dementia, we’ve helped introduce sensory rooms, contrasting colour schemes, and more intuitive signage. These design features are simple but support memory, reduce confusion, and help residents maintain independence longer.

Comfort is equally important. Older care homes often feel clinical. That’s not a criticism; many were built to meet standards that are now outdated. A refurbishment can introduce warmth without compromising safety. Small things like wood-effect floors with anti-slip ratings, handrails that feel less institutional, and bedrooms with familiar textures make a real difference to how residents feel.

None of these changes happens in isolation. We work closely with care providers to understand the people living in the home, not just the building itself. Our role is to recommend the right improvements, support the planning and construction process, and ensure that the finished space supports resident well-being and operational efficiency.

We’re happy to walk you through it if you're unsure where to begin. You can learn more about our approach to care home refurbishment here, or contact us directly to speak with someone who understands the pressures of running a care home.