Building a Wheelchair Ramp

When it comes to building a wheelchair ramp, we always recommend leaving it in the hands of professionals. Ramps are a mobility device, but above all they are meant to ensure one’s safety while getting from one place to another. Not having your wheelchair ramp built by a professional could mean you’re seriously compromising the safety of the ramp.

With this article we hope to educate you about how our technicians go about building a wheelchair ramp. This article is not meant as a DIY tutorial of any sort, its only aim is to provide an inside look into the process of building a ramp.

Building a Wheelchair Ramp: ADA Guidelines

One of the first things to know about building a wheelchair ramp is that you cannot just build a ramp however you wish. Ever since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was established in 1990, ramp builders have had to follow a set of standardized guidelines which makes ramps safe for everyone. We have written an article that explains ADA guidelines in more detail, which you can read here.

Individual User Specification
Our team doesn’t build one-size-fits-all ramps. Our ramps are built for the specific person who is going to be using it. We can do this by taking the time to get to know our customer and learn what they’re looking for in a ramp. During this process we also take appropriate measurements of where the ramp is going to be installed. This will ensure we build a ramp that’s not only safe and sturdy, but one that will fit in well with the overall design of your home.

Building Materials
Ramps can be built out of a variety of materials, including: aluminum, wood, steel, or concrete. Concrete is on the highest end of the spectrum and by far the most expensive. The only places where you’ll tend to see concrete ramps are outside or inside public buildings, where they will remain for decades to come. Wood is the most inexpensive way to build a ramp, but for reasons that have been well documented we do not deal with wooden ramps at all. Williams Lifts specifically deals with building wheelchair ramps out of aluminum due to the fact that it is so durable and aluminum does not rust. .

Installation
After gathering all the data we need for building a wheelchair ramp that’s right for you, we can get to work building it on the outside of your home or in your garage. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’ll have people working in your house all day. After building the plan for your wheelchair ramp, our experienced technicians can have it installed within a matter of hours. We pride ourselves on speed of service, but never leave until the customer is satisfied. After completing an installation we will go over the important points and safety tips with you.

Conclusion

Our entire process for building a wheelchair ramp — from consultation to installation — can be completed within days. You won’t be waiting around weeks or months for the wheelchair ramp you need today. Please get in touch with us today for a free estimate.

 

Photo Courtesy: mateoutah