According to the US Census, life expectancies are rising from 68 in 1950 and 79 in 2016, with the 65-and older population expected to almost double by 2050. Aging well is a hot topic across all industries, medicine and beauty included. Homebuilding is also a hot topic. Specifically, aging in Place, which is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, refers to the ability to live comfortably in one’s home and community independently and safely. A 2014 AARP survey found that 87 percent of senior citizens want to age in their own custom homes. Planning ahead is key to maintaining independence during your golden years.

You might argue that this is a long way off. It may be possible. You can start the foundation now to build a home that is durable enough to last into your retirement years. It will also be low-maintenance enough so that you can manage it as you age.

Heather Laminack, Ferrier Custom Homes, says that these types of projects are often approached in phases. “This helps us keep the bigger picture in our minds and doesn’t allow us to perform scopes of work now that will need to be redone later, which adds another layer of cost.