Aging in Place Remodeling and Home Safety in Fort Hunt, VA

Fort Hunt houses hide their stairs in short flights

Whole streets off Fort Hunt Road went up in the years after World War II, and some of the first owners are still in the houses they bought then.

Plenty of those houses are split-levels. The kitchen is a half flight above the family room, the bedrooms a half flight above that, and no trip across the house stays on one floor.

Short flights fool people because each one looks too small to matter. They get used all day, often with no rail, and that is the risk.

How it works in Fort Hunt

We walk the Fort Hunt house. We look at split-level houses with half flights between every floor first, then go through every room.
The price comes in writing. It is fixed before work starts and says whether the Fairfax County Department of Land Development Services (LDS) needs to issue a permit.
Then we work down the list, which here usually starts with rails and grip on every half flight.

What we fix in Fort Hunt homes

Rails and grip on every half flight

Short stairs often have a rail on one side, or an open side with none. Rails go on both sides, and slick treads get a high-grip surface.

Flooring in Fort Hunt

Pick a level and live on it

In many split-levels the bedrooms and the full bath share one level, with the kitchen just below. Moving the washer up can put the whole day within one short flight.

First-Floor Living in Fort Hunt

The compact hall bath

Houses from this era usually have a small hall bath with a tub in a tiled alcove. By national cost guides, installed grab bars run $100 to $500 and a full tub to curbless shower conversion runs $2,000 to $15,000.

Grab bar installation and bath safety in Fort Hunt

Hollin Hills glass and shadow

The modern houses in Hollin Hills have walls of glass on sloped, wooded lots, and some have a step between rooms. Bright daylight beside dark corners hides that step, so step lights and contrast strips help most.

Lighting in Fort Hunt

Neighborhoods we serve around Fort Hunt

Hollin Hills
Waynewood
Stratford Landing
Wellington
Hollin Hall
Collingwood
Tauxemont

Permits and programs in Fort Hunt

Fort Hunt is in Fairfax County, so a rebuilt bath, a moved laundry or a ramp needs a permit from the Fairfax County Department of Land Development Services (LDS), and a civic association with design rules may want a look at outside changes.

For Fort Hunt, see Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

Fort Hunt, between US 1 and the Potomac

Fort Hunt sits in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, south of Alexandria. Fort Hunt Road runs down its middle, the George Washington Memorial Parkway follows the river, and US 1 lies to the west.

Fort Hunt Park, a former Army fort, sits beside the Parkway, and George Washington's Mount Vernon estate lies at its southern end along the Mount Vernon Trail.

Fort Hunt questions

Do you come down to Fort Hunt?

We do. Fort Hunt is about 10.8 miles from the US Capitol, along the Parkway south of Alexandria, and well within our area.

Can a stair lift work on a split-level?

Sometimes. Each half flight is short and straight, but a lift on one still leaves the next. Choosing one level for daily life usually works better.

Services for Fort Hunt homes

Near Fort Hunt

Fort Hunt lies south of the US Capitol.

Fort Washington, MD 2.9 mi east
Alexandria, VA 4.6 mi north
Temple Hills, MD 7.7 mi northeast
Congress Heights, DC 7.8 mi northeast
Anacostia, DC 9.4 mi northeast
Arlington, VA 9.7 mi north
Suitland, MD 10.5 mi northeast
Capitol Hill, DC 10.8 mi north
Falls Church, VA 11.6 mi northwest
Capitol Heights, MD 12.8 mi northeast

Aging in place home modifications in Fort Hunt, VA