What are Residential Wheelchair Lifts?

A residential wheelchair lift can be as simple as a vertical lift platform that can handle just one wheelchair, all the way up to an enclosed elevator installed in a bigger building that can safely transport up to 5 or 6 wheelchair clients at a time.

What are the Different Types of Residential Wheelchair Lifts?

In its simplest form, a residential wheelchair lift is a simple electrically-run platform installed on the exterior of a building which transports one passenger and their wheelchair from the ground level up to the entrance of a building which might otherwise have to be reached via stairs. It is usually installed at the end of an existing porch and includes a safety gate at the top and the bottom to prevent the chair from falling off during transport.

They are very easy to operate, easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Safety details like a non-slip platform, constant pressure switches, a low platform for easy roll-on/roll-off and a safety barrier and railing have been carefully designed into these lifts. This is most often used in existing buildings that are being refitted to take away accessibility barrier issues. The costs for these average around $5500 depending on your locality. There may be grants or other financial incentives available which can offset the costs of installation.

For multi-leveled buildings, there are similar residential wheelchair lifts available which can lift a wheelchair and passenger up to 14 feet into the air and can be installed next to a flight of stairs. It can move between the first and second floors and like its outdoor cousin comes with both an enclosed and unenclosed model. As for the model installed outdoors at the end of a porch, this type of wheelchair lift is used in existing buildings that are being refitted. Also easy to operate and install, these range in price between $5500 and $10000 depending on the brand.

At its most advanced, a residential wheelchair lift is either preplanned into the building or built at a later time into a structure and differs little from a regular elevator. It comes completely enclosed like a normal elevator and can be just big enough to transport a wheelchair, its rider and one other passenger. It has doors which must close completely in order for transportation to take place. Companies that provide these types of elevator usually have engineers on staff who can work with the developer, architect or other professional to ensure that the residential wheelchair lift is installed to meet local building and safety regulations. Starting at $10000, these lifts can cost in excess of $20000 adding in the construction costs.

While these may constitute a considerable outlay at first, residential wheelchair lifts can pay for themselves in opening a property to tenants who might not have been able to previously access your rental. They will also add property value to the structure and could well prove to be a major selling point when the time comes to resell the property.

If you have an interest in making an area accessible via wheelchair, one way to do this is through the use of a vertical wheelchair lift. A vertical wheelchair lift is a mechanized platform of some sort that will allow a wheelchair to roll onto it, and then will raise or lower the wheelchair and its occupant to the desired height. A vertical wheelchair can be installed just about anywhere, and it can make buildings and locations that were formerly wheelchair inaccessible perfectly reachable.

The Different Types of Vertical Wheelchair Lifts

There are many different types of vertical wheelchair lifts to take a look at. The best way to decide which one is right for you is to think about the area that you need it for and what functions it needs to be able to perform. For instance, one type of vertical wheelchair lift is an enclosed model. With an enclosed model, you will find a metal or plexiglass dome has been placed over the top for added weather protection, making this model excellent for outdoor settings. Other models are simply a bare platform with some rails surrounding it to keep the passenger from harm. Depending on what company you work with, you may also be able to integrate a vertical wheelchair lift into the setting of your home or office, making it blend in with the rest of the surroundings.

Where Can a Vertical Wheelchair Lift Be Installed and Used?

A vertical wheelchair lift can be installed in almost any setting imaginable, from private homes to hotels or offices. As long as there is a place to get onto the platform and then to leave it, there is a good chance that you will find one to suit your situation. Think about how many stops you need, whether you need to stop at one or two levels, and how much weight you need it to be able to support. Weatherproofing is available for out of door models, and some models can even be paneled with a specific kind of wood to match your home.

How Much Does a Vertical Wheelchair Lift Cost?

When you are thinking of installing a vertical wheelchair lift, you can expect to pay in the neighborhood of about $2000 to $5000. Depending on the vendor, installation may or may not be included, and remember this does not include any restructuring that needs to occur at your home or office to make way for the vertical wheelchair lift. This is not an inexpensive option, but there are many advantages to it over building a ramp.

In terms of convenience, a vertical wheelchair lift is definitely the most expedient way to make an area wheelchair accessible, and is also one of the most permanent and attractive ways to do so.

A wheelchair lift made for a vehicle may operate through mechanical means, while other selections showcase fully assisted electric capabilities, where all a user has to do is simply push a button. This model is called an “extended lift” and easily transfers a wheelchair inside of a car and also uses the same procedure when one exits the vehicle.

As for the installation of a wheelchair lift on a vehicle, some units attach on a hitch located on the rear portion of a car or truck, while others can lift a wheelchair into the trunk or back region of a vehicle. In order to make sure the kind of lift you select is appropriate for your needs, it is recommended to inquire about compatibility in regards to the type of vehicle you drive.

When purchasing a manual wheelchair lift for a car or truck, you will find that most models are installable without the assistance of a professional. The typical manual lift slides into a hitch located on the back of a vehicle. The power of a manual wheelchair lift comes from hydraulics. In order to keep this type of lift in working condition, the use of specialized fluid is required. Sometimes, this approach is costly, which is why electric models are seen as more cost-efficient.

Wheelchair lifts powered by electricity may require the expertise of a reliable car mechanic or other professional who is skilled in drilling holes into car trunks and familiar with the wiring of items that are connected to the car battery. Some of the models associated with an electric wheelchair lift involve varying exits. Depending on the kind of wheelchair occupying the lift, a user may select a unit that provides entrances and exits in the same direction (often placed at the center of the vehicle) or use side entrances for varying entrances and exits.

The Cost of Vehicle Wheelchair Lifts

Purchasing an electric or hydraulic wheelchair lift can carry quite a hefty price tag, as they are quite expensive. Some of the more inexpensive models are more than $10,000. Additionally, Medicare and other insurance companies do not cover these expenses. However, some local car dealers may provide manufacturer discounts pertaining to the purchase of a van.

Overall, it is important to check with applicable installation services and vendors to become familiar regarding all of the details prior to finalizing a purchase. Moreover, each individual user possesses varying needs, which may better complement specific wheelchair lift selections. Salespeople are better able to provide the necessary information to help buyers make the proper decision. When selecting a wheelchair lift being sold over the Internet, the majority of retailers will also supply the appropriate information regarding the purchase of a proper wheelchair lift in regards to vehicle compatibility.

Simply put, a portable wheelchair lift is a special mechanical option for people in wheelchairs. These lifts actually life wheelchair bound people up a special platform up to the next level of the building. In many buildings, ramps are not available for those who are in wheelchairs, so a portable wheelchair lift offers a very practical solution to the problem.

The Different Types of Portable Wheelchair Lifts

When it comes to portable wheelchair lifts, there are several different kinds that you can consider, depending on the needs of the building. The following are a few types to consider.

1. Portable Wheelchair Lifts – These lifts, also known as the Mobilift are designed to function indoors and outdoors. They are perfect for navigating stages, raised platforms, and even bleachers.
2. Vertical Platform Lifts – A vertical platform wheelchair lift is made to either be used as a simple home elevator or it can be customized in a commercial situation as well.
3. Portable Vertical Lifts – These lifts can perform the functions of the portable wheelchair lifts as well as the vertical platform lifts.
4. Inclined Platform Lifts – Inclined platform lifts are designed for both outdoor and indoor use. They are often used in schools, homes, public buildings, and churches.

Where Can You Install and Use Portable Wheelchair Lifts?

Most of the time, you will find that portable wheelchair lifts are installed on the side of a stairway. Of course you have to make sure that there is enough room on the stairway for your wheelchair lift and the people who also need to walk up and down the stairs. For this reason, often stairways need to be extra wide to provide plenty of room. However, these ramps can be used to help people into cars and in other portable ways as well.

How Much Do Portable Wheelchair Lifts Cost?

While a portable wheelchair lift definitely isn’t a cheap option, you can still find them for a decent deal. Usually you can expect to pay between $3000 and $10,000 for a quality lift. Although you will have to pay quite a bit up front, it is definitely worth the price to make your building more accessible to wheel chair bound people.

What are Wheelchair Lifts?

Wheelchair lifts are basically special lifts that are specifically designed to transport people with handicaps to the next level of a building, vehicle, or other structure, while they are still in the chair. Using a wheelchair lift can help make these transitions easier for those who need to use wheelchairs. It also keeps them from having to go through uncomfortable chair transfers as well, which can be frustrating and painful.

The Different Types of Wheelchair Lifts

There are a variety of different wheelchair lifts available for use inside of buildings. There are platform wheelchair lifts, automatic lifts, vertical lifts, portable lifts, and more. Since there are so many different types of wheelchair lifts it is important that you pick out the one that is best for your specific needs. Take a look at the building you need a lift for and see which type of lift will look the best and fit in the space you have as well.

Where Can a Wheelchair Lift Be Installed and Used?

Depending on which wheelchair lift you decide on for your building, there are a variety of places where they can be installed. If you need a lift to help get wheelchair bound people up the stairs, then you’ll need a lift that will be installed at the stairway. There are also lifts for platforms and stages that often fold up so you can keep them stored somewhere else until you need them. Then you can easily use them to help those in wheelchairs onto the platform or stage.

Costs of Purchasing and Installing a Wheelchair Lift

Of course, the price of the wheelchair lift is going to depend on which one you choose; however, you are probably going to have to invest at least a couple thousand dollars in your lift. In some cases you may even have to spend as much as $10,000-12,000 on the purchase an installation of some types of lifts. However, when you consider the cost associated with installing an elevator, the cost of a wheelchair lift is really quite reasonable.