steep driveway - options for regrading?

2 years ago

I live in the PNW and am considering buying a house built in 1979 on a lovely wooded lot. The house sits atop a hill. The one drawback is the driveway is incredibly steep. There is a curvy path and stairs along the side of the driveway for pedestrian access. And, a single car can be parked on the street. However, i will definitely need to bring the car up to the garage at times. Specifically, I worry about the day my mother will be in a wheelchair and I will need to drive up/down the driveway to get to the garage and ADA lower unit. I would also need to drive up/down the driveway to load/unload my kayak from the car roof rack. The driveway empties into a single car lane.
What options should I consider to reduce the grade of the driveway without ruining the look?
Photos (from RE site) only show 1/2 the driveway. Remainder is super steep.

Featured Answer

Mrs. S

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

If your mother is going to be in a wheelchair, and living with you, how are you going to get her out of your car and into the house?

And if you hire a caregiver, how would that person push her up the driveway? This house seems like a VERY challenging place. The driveway starts its slope right there out of the garage... Could a wheelchair even maneuver from a lift in the back of a van to the garage door into the house? Or if you help her out of the car into the wheelchair in the garage (say you parked in the right side space), could that wheelchair maneuver in through the house/garage entry door?

I'm caretaking my mother and she's still mobile, but outside caregivers generally don't park in the garage, so they need to be able to get up and down to wherever they would be parking....

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Comments (11)

millworkman
2 years ago
Without considerably more property to make the driveway curved I do not see a way to make it less steep.
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Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks! That’s what I was thinking. Hmm.
It rains a lot here (understatement!). I wonder how dangerous the grade is. I definitely wouldn’t want to go up/down in the snow - but luckily it doesn’t snow that much here.
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gustaviatex
2 years ago
I would look for a different house. You have listed several obstacles already.
Sigrid
2 years ago
The driveway doesn't look that long to me. Just get a 4W drive car, use snow tires in the winter and you'll be fine. The driveway we had when growing up was steeper than that. Not a problem.
kandrewspa
2 years ago
I have relatives who either have or have had in the past driveways like this (or worse - it's hard to tell from the pictures exactly how steep it is) and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over 65. If you have caretaking considerations already, then I don't see how this house will work for you. All the steps up to the front door are less than ideal for anyone with even minor mobility issues. Even a young person can have an accident and be temporarily disabled at any time.
RedRyder
2 years ago
The negatives on the outside are pretty significant. Keep looking.
cat_ky
2 years ago
I agree with all the others. Since I am older and also recovering from a recent injury, any amount of steps would be an obstacle, and a steep drive would be impossible. Its a pretty house, I can see why you like it, but, its not a practical house.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I think it is steep because there is no other way to have the driveway. I am pretty able bodied but those stairs will be a nightmare in the rain and for sure in the snow and yes the PNW gets snow ans it is wet and heavy. Most people I know who live there have heated driveways but IMO that is the least of the issues with someone in a wheelchair
marmiegard_z7b
2 years ago
No way.

In fact if you are actively house- hunting, you should refine criteria to include some form of level access or minimal ramping capability, ability for mother’s room & bath to be on first floor now or in future, ability to reno for barrier- free bath, halls, doorways.

My town is moderately hilly, but has a few neighborhoods and developments that are in the “ flatter” areas. Many neighborhoods have to be automatically ruled out for any degree of accessible lot and home. Occasionally there might be a unique lot & build within the hilly areas, but rate. Or houses that could be extensively renovated for exterior & interior accessibility.
dani_m08
2 years ago
My driveway turned out steeper than I expected - it was AWFUL when I had a back wheel drive car. My neighbor across the street told me that I could use their flat drive way that was directly across from mine in order to get a good "running start" in order to get up the hill into the garage!

(I also used to drive my car backwards up the driveway in order to make it up into the garage at times).

Ever since I purchased my BMW idrive (sporty 4 door sedan), I've barely had a need for it! We don't have a ton of snow - but the last several winters have been extra mild.

Once the car is inside the garage, it's fine - although there are several steps up into the house. If we stay here forever, we could re-work the stairs in the garage if needed (my nana lived to 91 - and she used two staircases every day in her home - I'm hoping that I have her genes!)

It is difficult to see exactly how steep the driveway is based upon the two photos that you've posted.