What is the Home Improvement Service?

The service is run by Torbay Council to help vulnerable and/or disabled adults and children who live in the area.

Who can we help?

Following an assessment by an Occupational Therapist, we may be able to help you adapt or improve your property to enable you to remain safely and comfortably in the community. In certain circumstances we may also be able to help you repair your property. We offer confidential advice, support and assistance.

What types of work do we handle?

Essential works to give better freedom of movement into and around the home. The provision of essential facilities and works to make the dwelling safe for disabled occupants and anyone living with them,. If you are disabled we can widen doorways and install ramps, particularly for improving access to rooms and facilities.

How does the service work?

If you would like work carried out in your home the Torbay Home Improvement Service will arrange for a survey by one of our Technical Officers who will discuss and advise you on what it required or appropriate and whether it is work for which you can obtain a grant. If the work involved is to be an adaptation for a disabled person we will liaise with the Occupational Therapist from Torbay Care Trust, who will look at your circumstances and who can recommend the type of adaptation(s) needed.

Our caseworker will call to discuss you situation and how we can be of assistance This may involve:

• discussing your personal needs and your financial situation
• providing advice on benefits you may be entitled to
• providing advice on possible rehousing
• putting you in touch with other services
• helping you make the application for grants

If necessary, we arrange for the compilation of drawings and a specification of works. Work is either competitively tendered or priced using Torbay Council’s Schedule of Rate system.

Contactors on the council’s preferred contactors list have agreed to a fixed price system for more commonly undertaken works. We use well-established local contactors whose standard or work has been of recognised quality over several years.

When specialist equipment or work is required we will obtain quotations from at least two reputable companies.

When contractors move on site we help you mange the project and we ensure that work is completed to the required standard before any payments are made.

The Home Improvement Service act as your advocate and representative in all aspects of the project.

How do I pay for the work?

Often a grant covers all or part of the cost of the works and our fees. If you have to contribute we can often help by raising funds from benevolent and charitable sources.

The Home Improvement Service levy a 10%-12.5% fee. If you are in receipt of a grant it will usually cover our costs.

Please contact us for further information: