Life just threw you or someone you love a curveball. There’s been an injury or surgery or disease you couldn’t have planned for, and now you need to get in and out of your home. You may be in the hospital and just found out you’re being discharged tomorrow and you have no clue how you’re going to get inside when you get home.
You’re not alone. This scenario plays out every day.
In a nutshell, the fastest way to get an ADA-standard ramp installed on your home is renting. Sure, you might need to purchase a ramp at some point if the disability ends up being long term, but let’s focus on today.
Where do you start? Check out the top 5 things to know listed below.
Estimate the Length of Time You'll Need the Ramp
You might not always know the exact amount of time you’ll need a ramp, especially if you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, but give it your best guess. As is the case with most items that you rent, there is a break-even point with ramps.
We recommend renting if you anticipate needing the ramp for less than two years. After two years, you’ll likely save money by purchasing a ramp instead.
Count Your Steps (The Right Way)
Counting your steps is easy right? You’d be surprised how many times we get the wrong information from homeowners.
How can they get it wrong? The biggest mistake people make is forgetting to count the step from a set of steps up onto a porch. In other words, they look at their porch and count the steps leading up to it, but fail to count stepping up onto the porch as an actual step. See below.
Another thing people often forget is door thresholds are often a step up from a porch. It’s important to include the rise of a threshold into the overall measurements because getting a wheelchair over a threshold (even one that is just a couple inches high) can prove to be extremely difficult and even unsafe for someone in a wheelchair.
Another way to get an accurate measurement if you’re able is to simply measure from the ground to your threshold. If you’re able to give that number to the ramp company, you’ll make estimating the cost of the project easier.
Understand How Much Ramp You'll Need
Most ramp rental companies will follow ADA guidelines when determining how long your rental ramp should be. ADA uses a 1:12 rule which states that for every inch of rise you’ll need at least 12 inches of ramp. For example, if the distance from the ground to your door threshold is 24 inches, you’ll need at least 24 feet of ramp.
This rule ensures the ramp slope is safe for users and caregivers.
We often get calls from customers who think they can get by with a 6 foot ramp when they have several steps leading up to their porch. Not only would this be against ADA recommendations, it would also be dangerous.
Still questioning this rule? Here’s how you can test it out for yourself. Get a 6 foot piece of plywood or even a two by four. Place one end of it on the top of your porch and the other end on the ground while the board is over your steps. Now look at the angle. Does it look safe? Does it look like you or your loved one could walk or use a wheelchair safely if you had a ramp that steep?
Get Information on the Cost of the Entire Project
Typically you’ll be charged for the total length of the ramp as well as a charge for installation and removal of the ramp. It’s a good idea to ask how much you’ll pay in rental fees per month as well as how much you’ll be charged for the installation. Also ask if that installation fee covers the removal of the ramp when you’re through using it.
Ask How Fast You Can Have It Installed
If you’re looking to rent a ramp, chances are you need it ASAP. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to ask up front what the typical turnaround time is. This will give you a good idea as to whether or not the company can meet your needs before you get too far into the process.
The fastest companies will usually be able to install the ramp within 2-3 days – sometimes even as little as 1 day in emergency situations.
Need a ramp for a longer period of time? Consider purchasing a modular aluminum wheelchair ramp.
Get Your Free Estimate!
Watch this video for info on what to expect if you complete a contact form on our site.
