Rachel & David's, Home Lift and Wet Room Installation Reading

Customers: Rachel & David

Location: Reading

Primary Mobility Challenge: Progressive loss of mobility due to cancer, requiring step-free access and future-proofed living arrangements

Solution Provided: Full Home Adaptation, Stiltz Home Lift Installation, Bedroom Conversion, and Accessible Wet Room

Project Duration: 3 Weeks

Rachel and David Simms have lived in their home for 37 years and love their neighbourhood. With David’s health condition expected to affect his mobility further over time, they wanted to adapt their home rather than leave it. They approached AJT looking for a team who could take responsibility for the entire project — structural alterations, design work, lift installation, and wet room construction — all under one roof.

What they found was a company with a “can-do” attitude, capable craftsmen, and a fully coordinated approach that gave them confidence from the very first meeting.

David, a retired chartered surveyor, understood property well and had a clear idea of what changes were needed to allow him to remain independent as his condition progressed. His illness would increasingly reduce his mobility, meaning stairs, bathing, and bedroom layout would eventually become significant challenges.

Rachel and David wanted a home that supported long-term accessibility — not temporary fixes, but structural and practical changes that would allow them to stay in the home they love. This included easier movement between floors, safe and comfortable washing facilities, and a bedroom designed around David’s future needs.

During the initial survey, the AJT team assessed the upstairs layout to ensure that the couple’s vision was achievable. Two bedrooms needed to be combined to create one large, practical sleeping space, and a new wet room was planned within part of the former second bedroom.

We also identified technical constraints early in the process — most notably the internal soil pipe that originally served the bathroom. Altering it internally would have caused disruption in areas of the house that were not being refurbished. Instead, AJT designed an external solution to keep the project efficient and minimise disturbance.

Structural feasibility, lift placement, loft hatch relocation, and accessibility requirements were all carefully evaluated so the final design would be safe, compliant, and comfortable for years to come.

AJT proposed a complete upper-floor refurbishment that would allow seamless movement and improved accessibility throughout the home. The solution included:

• A Stiltz home lift installed between the lounge and the new bedroom, allowing David to move freely between floors.
• Conversion of the existing two bedrooms into one spacious, fully functioning bedroom with new electrics, lighting, and storage.
• A brand-new wet room designed with accessibility, manoeuvrability, and long-term usability in mind.
• Full management of all building work, plumbing, electrical changes, structural adjustments, and drainage redesign.

Rachel said one of the most reassuring aspects of the experience was that every member of the AJT team “seemed to be able to do everything”  no delays, no waiting for subcontractors, and no uncertainty.

Stiltz domestic lift

Accessible wet room with former tray

Structural alterations

Full electrical and interior refurbishment.

LED-lit recessed niche

AJT handled the entire project from start to finish. After structural plans were agreed upon, we liaised directly with Building Control, submitted all required documentation, and managed the drainage redesign. The new external soil run was installed in the rear garden, feeding waste from the wet room’s shower former, basin, and comfort-height toilet into a newly installed inspection chamber.

Inside the property, the team carried out all the building work with precision — erecting new walls, relocating the loft hatch, reconfiguring electrics, installing Karndean flooring, and completing every element to a high standard. Rachel highlighted how every installer had deep knowledge of the full project and a genuine commitment to quality.

David described the craftsmanship and work ethic of the team as “absolutely superb.”