Wheelchair ramp installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wheelchair ramp installation is

Wheelchair ramp installation builds or installs a ramp at a doorway or entry, with the right slope, landing, handrails and surface so a wheelchair or walker can move in and out safely. A pro measures the rise, plans the run, builds the framing and sets the surface and rails. People book it after a change in mobility, a hospital discharge or a move to a home with steps.

Signs you need it

  • Someone uses a wheelchair or walker and the entry has steps that cannot be climbed
  • The threshold is high, and a doorway needs a level transition from the outside
  • The current ramp is too steep, too short or has no landing at the top or bottom
  • The ramp surface is slick, cracked or uneven, and a wheel catches on it
  • The ramp has no handrails, or the rails are not at a height the user can grip
  • A modular or portable ramp is in place but no longer fits the entry

What the pro does

  • Measure the rise from the walking surface to the door threshold, and plan the ramp run
  • Check the local rules for slope, landing size and handrail placement before the build
  • Set the footings or the posts and build the framing for the deck, platform or ramp structure
  • Install the ramp surface with a slip-resistant material and secure the boards or panels
  • Add the handrails and guardrails at the height and the grip size the user needs
  • Test the ramp with a wheelchair or a walker, and check the landings and the door clearance

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Height of the rise from the ground to the door, which sets the length and the structure
  • Materials, such as pressure-treated lumber, composite or aluminum
  • Whether the ramp needs a permanent foundation or can be a portable unit
  • Handrails, guardrails and landings needed on the run
  • Access to the site and the ground conditions for the footings
  • Whether the door needs to be widened or the threshold lowered as part of the work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Ramp length, width, rise and the number of landings
  • Materials for the framing, the surface and the rails, and the surface finish
  • Footings, posts and foundation work, and how they are set
  • Whether the work follows the local rules and whether a permit is included
  • Warranty on the structure and the surface, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will the ramp meet the slope and landing rules where I live?
  • Do you pull the building permit, and who inspects the work?
  • What surface do you use, and is it slip-resistant when wet?
  • How are the handrails placed, and at what height?
  • Will you test the ramp with a wheelchair or walker before you leave?
  • Do you check the door clearance and the threshold at the top?
  • Does the warranty cover the structure and the surface?

Red flags

  • A ramp built steeper than the local rules allow for a wheelchair
  • No landing at the top or bottom of the ramp
  • A surface that is slick when wet and has no grip
  • Handrails that are missing, loose or not at a grippable height
  • A quote that does not mention the permit, the footings or the rails

What you can do yourself

You can measure the rise, mark the layout and clear the site. Check the rules for slope and landing size before you plan. Do not build a ramp that is steeper than the local rules allow, and do not rely on a ramp that has not been tested under load; call a pro for footings, framing, rails and the final surface, and for any permit that the work needs.

Licenses and permits

Wheelchair ramp installation often needs a building permit and an inspection. Some areas also require a contractor registration for paid work, so check with your state or local licensing agency and building department.

Wheelchair ramp installation questions

Can I use a portable ramp instead of a permanent one?

A portable ramp can work for some entries, but it must match the rise, the slope and the landing needs of the user. A pro can measure the entry and tell you whether a portable unit fits.

Do I need a permit for a wheelchair ramp?

Often, yes, when the ramp is attached to the house or uses a permanent foundation. Check with your local building department before you start.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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