Construction of an informal care home

Once the decision has been made to realize an informal care home, the next important question is: which construction method best fits the situation, budget, and plot? Roughly speaking, there are three ways to create an informal care facility, each with its own advantages in terms of speed, customization, and impact on property value.

Prefab informal care home

The most common option is the prefab (prefabricated) home. These homes are built entirely in a factory and transported to your location ready-to-use on a low-loader.

• Speed: Because the home is built in a factory, you experience minimal disruption on-site. The actual placement often takes place in a single day.
• Quality: Building under controlled conditions in a factory guarantees consistent quality and high insulation values.
• Relocatability: Prefab units are often relatively easy to remove or resell once the need for care ends.

Construction on-site (Traditional construction)

With on-site construction, the informal care home is built directly on your plot from the foundation up. This can be done via timber framing or traditional brickwork.

• Customization: This method offers the most freedom in design. The home can be perfectly matched to the architecture of the main residence.
• Accessibility: Ideal for locations that are inaccessible to a low-loader or crane (e.g., backyards without rear access).
• Impact: The construction time on your property is longer, which brings more temporary logistical activity and noise.

Adaptation of the existing dwelling

Not every informal care home needs to be a detached object. You can also adapt the existing dwelling to facilitate care nearby.

Kangaroo housing (Kangoeroewoning)

With kangaroo housing, two independent living spaces are created under one roof, often with an internal connecting door. This can be achieved through an extension or an internal renovation (such as a garage conversion).

• Note: This often has the greatest impact on the property value and the tax appraisal (WOZ), but it also offers the most security and proximity.

Pre-informal care home

Some municipalities allow you to place an informal care home before there is an actual care requirement (known as pre-informal care). This is intended for seniors who wish to plan ahead.

[Image showing different types of housing extensions and detached garden rooms]

Key considerations per type

Choosing the right construction method is a balance between the short term (construction disruption and speed) and the long term (value development and repurposing). For advice on which builder specializes in which method, you can consult our overview of certified builders.