Across the river, the houses change more than the dangers do.
Cross the Potomac from DC and you find very different towns within a few miles of each other. The dangers inside the houses barely change.
A tub with a high wall. A stair to the only bedroom. Steps at the front door with no rail. You find them in an Old Town rowhouse, an Arlington Cape Cod and a Falls Church rambler alike.
What changes is the fix that suits each house, and the office that signs off on it.
How it works in Northern Virginia
- Tell us the city or county. Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church or Fairfax County each have their own permit office.
- We walk the house and rank it. Garage stairs, split levels and upstairs primary baths are where Northern Virginia houses tend to start.
- One price, permits named. The scope says which local office permits the job and what an HOA may want to see.
Every service we offer in Northern Virginia
- Assessments in Northern Virginia
- Bathroom Safety in Northern Virginia
- Ramps and Access in Northern Virginia
- Stair Lifts in Northern Virginia
- First-Floor Living in Northern Virginia
- Kitchen in Northern Virginia
- Flooring in Northern Virginia
- Lighting in Northern Virginia
- Smart Home Safety in Northern Virginia
- Maintenance Plans in Northern Virginia
- Hospital Discharge in Northern Virginia
- Veterans and Disability in Northern Virginia
Places we serve in Northern Virginia
- Arlington, VA 4.4 mi west, steep stairs in older brick houses
- Alexandria, VA 6.2 mi south, narrow rowhouse stairs and front stoops
- Falls Church, VA 8.7 mi west, a few hard steps in a one-level house
- McLean, VA 10 mi west, raised soaking tubs in upstairs primary baths
- Fort Hunt, VA 10.8 mi south, split-level houses with half flights between every floor
- Great Falls, VA 18.1 mi northwest, big houses at the end of long, dark driveways
Permits and programs in Northern Virginia
Arlington County's permit office, the City of Alexandria's permit center and the City of Falls Church's permit office each handle work inside their own borders, and your written scope names the right one.
Public help in Northern Virginia
- Area Agency on Aging serves older Arlington residents.
- Aging and Adult Services serves older residents of the City of Alexandria.
- Fairfax Area Agency on Aging covers Fairfax County, McLean, Great Falls, Fort Hunt and Falls Church.
Public agencies, not partners of ours. Aging in place resources by county
Northern Virginia, close to the Capitol
The map shows the three places we serve just across the river from DC. Arlington sits closest, Alexandria runs south along the water, and Falls Church lies farthest out to the west.
I 66 heads west through Arlington toward Falls Church, while I 395 and US 1 run south toward Alexandria. The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery face the city across the river, and Reagan National Airport sits on the shore between Arlington and Alexandria.
Northern Virginia questions
Which parts of Northern Virginia do you cover?
Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church, the close-in places just over the river. Arlington is nearest, roughly 4.4 miles out from the US Capitol, and Falls Church, out along VA 7, is farthest at about 8.7.
Does Virginia have a program that helps pay for home modifications?
None that we have checked and can stand behind, so this page names none. Ask the county or city where your parent lives what is open, and confirm current terms with any program before you count on the money.
Does the permit change if my parent lives in Alexandria instead of Arlington?
The office changes. The safety goals stay the same. Your written scope names the office and lists the items that need its approval.