Adult Family Home conversions, done right the first time.
Converting a home into a code-compliant Adult Family Home means accessibility upgrades, life-safety work, structural changes, and a thick stack of documentation. Shearline Construction handles all of it — design, engineering, permits, construction, and paperwork. You approve the scope, we deliver a WABO-approved AFH.
Portfolio Highlights
The work speaks for itself.
Everything an AFH conversion actually requires.
Accessibility-First Design
Curbless roll-in showers, widened doorways (typically 36"), reinforced grab-bar blocking, accessible bath and kitchen layouts, and zero-step entries.
Life-Safety Compliance
Hard-wired interconnected smoke and CO detection, emergency egress, and resident-room requirements per WAC code.
Full WABO Documentation
We prepare and submit the completed Washington Adult Family Home licensing packet — floor plans, plot layouts, construction design details, and all other application paperwork— on your behalf.
In-House Architectural Drawings
Existing-conditions surveys, proposed floor plans, and permit-ready drawings produced under our own roof — no third-party draftsperson required.
Structural Engineering
Engineered solutions for wall removal, header sizing, and any framing changes needed to open up living space without compromising the structure.
Permit Submittal & Inspections
We pull the permits, coordinate with the City of Vancouver / Clark County, and walk the inspections from rough-in through final.
Our Process
From walk-through to WABO approved AFH.
Walk-Through & Feasibility
We tour the home, review your AFH goals (number of residents, ambulatory vs. non-ambulatory care), and identify what's required to bring the structure into compliance.
Design & Documentation
We produce existing and proposed floor plans, show you the 3D model of your future AFH, and assemble the document package required for the WABO Inspection.
Permits & Construction
We pull all permits, complete the conversion — accessibility upgrades, structural work, finishes — and coordinate inspections through final sign-off.
Licensing Handoff
You receive a turnkey, code-compliant home plus the full WABO documentation set ready to submit to DSHS for your Adult Family Home license.
What clients are saying.
See all Google reviews"Shearline Construction is a trustworthy company that delivers and goes above & beyond. We engaged them to complete renovations to modify the house for an Adult Family Home and from start to finish, Denis was thorough, communicative, and completed the project on time. I was clear that I didn't want to see the demarcation between the old build and new build and that's exactly what I got. Everyone that visits the home says it's beautifully done and can't believe it wasn't a newly constructed home. I've recommended Denis with his Shearline Construction team and so far everyone is completely satisfied and raving about his work."
Read on Google
"It's hard to find a contractor who truly understands adult family home rules and requirements, so I'm really glad I found Denis!! He handled everything from start to finish, including the blueprint drafting and all the permitting. It was truly a hands-off experience, and he made the whole project stress free. Highly recommend!"
Read on Google
"Denis did an incredible job converting our home to an AFH! He handled everything from drawing the new floor plan to the construction process to final WABO inspection approval. He made the process so easy, stress free, and his prices are very fair! He transformed our outdated 1991 home into a stunning, renovated Adult Family Home, and was very responsive and flexible throughout the whole process. I highly recommend his company for your AFH conversion or any other remodel!"
Read on GoogleSecond-generation builder. AFH Owner.
Denis Vishnevskiy
I'm Denis Vishnevskiy, owner of Shearline Construction. I specialize in Adult Family Home conversions, and I come at them from an angle most contractors can't: I own my own AFH. I converted and remodeled it myself — design, build, accessibility, and WABO documentation — and I lease it out today. I've lived every step and know where the snags are before they surface. That shapes how my team and I work. Bring me a project and you get a contractor who treats it like his own. Because at one point, it was.
I'm a second-generation builder — my dad built homes, and I've been on jobsites since I was a kid. That's where I learned the standards I still hold: clean framing, tight tolerances, and finish work that holds up — the details you can't see are the ones that decide whether a home lasts, especially an AFH that has to support residents day in and day out. I've called Vancouver home since my family moved here in 1999, and building in the community where I'm raising my own family is something I take real pride in.
AFH conversion questions, answered.
- What is an Adult Family Home (AFH) in Washington State?
- An Adult Family Home is a residential home licensed by Washington DSHS to provide room, board, laundry, supervision, and personal care for up to six non-related adults (can increase to eight after 2 years in business and additional code compliance). The home must meet specific WAC building, fire, and accessibility standards before a license is issued.
- Do you handle the WABO documentation?
- Yes — that's one of our specialties. We prepare the full documentation set needed for the AFH (WABO) Inspection on your behalf, including existing and proposed floor plans, fire-safety plans, and the supporting documents your DSHS application requires.
- Can any house be converted to an AFH?
- Most single-family homes can be converted, but the cost and scope vary widely based on bedroom count, bathroom layout, hallway widths, existing egress, and whether structural changes are needed. We start with a feasibility walk-through so you know exactly what's involved before committing.
- What areas do you serve?
- Vancouver, WA and the surrounding Clark County area — including Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, and Brush Prairie — plus communities within roughly a one-hour drive. We are not licensed in Oregon.
- How long does an AFH conversion take?
- Most conversions run 8–16 weeks of active construction, depending on scope. Design, engineering, and permitting typically add another 6–10 weeks on the front end. We give you a realistic timeline at the feasibility stage.
Get in touch
Thinking about opening an Adult Family Home?
Start with a no-pressure feasibility walk-through. We'll tell you straight whether the home is a good candidate, what the conversion would realistically involve, and what the WABO and DSHS process looks like from here.
- Free on-site consultation
- Fixed-price written estimate
- In-house drawings & permit submittal
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Washington state