Improving accessibility at home or at your business often starts with one key question: How much does a wheelchair ramp cost?
In this guide, we explain the pricing for the most common types of ramps, including modular aluminum, steel, wood, composite, concrete, suitcase-style, and rubber threshold options.
Whether you’re looking for a portable ramp, a quick fix for a doorway, or a longer-term solution that fits your budget, you’ll find clear, practical details to help you choose the right ramp—without overspending.
Whether you need a portable solution, a simple fix for a door threshold, or a long-term ramp that fits your budget, we’ll walk you through the options. You’ll find clear, practical information to help you choose the ramp that meets your needs—without overspending.
Modular Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Fast Installation, Durability, Low Maintenance, Potential Cost Savings with Self-Installation
- Cons: May Be Less Aesthetically Compatible with Surroundings, May Not Have Suitable Weight Capacity For All Bariatric Situations
- Use: Short-Term, Long-Term
Aluminum wheelchair ramp cost depends on how much material your layout requires. Most manufacturers and dealers price ramps by the linear foot, which includes the ramp itself and any necessary platforms.
As of 2025, the typical cost is $150 to $200 per linear foot, including handrails and hardware.
Labor adds another $60 to $100 per linear foot, and most ramp assemblies take about four hours.
For example, if your Michigan home has three steps, your total cost—including labor—could range from $5,500 to $8,500, depending on the layout.
Not sure how long your ramp needs to be? This guide can help you estimate ramp length. For the most accurate plan, it’s best to schedule an in-home evaluation. A professional will take measurements and design a layout tailored to your space.
If a full aluminum ramp isn’t in your budget, ask your local Michigan ramp provider about rental or rent-to-own options.
Modular Steel Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Fast Installation, Potential Cost Savings with Self-Installation
- Cons: More Expensive Than Aluminum Can Rust/Corrode, Requires More Maintenance Than Aluminum, May Not Have Suitable Weight Capacity For All Bariatric Situations
- Use: Short-Term, Long-Term
Steel wheelchair ramps are assembled similarly to aluminum ramps but tend to cost slightly more. As of 2025, pricing typically ranges from $200 to $250 per linear foot, with installation adding another $60 to $100 per foot.
In addition to the higher cost, steel ramps come with long-term durability concerns. While they’re usually coated with factory paint, steel is still prone to rust. Scratches and scuffs can expose the metal to moisture and air, which leads to corrosion—especially in Michigan’s changing weather conditions. Aluminum ramps, on the other hand, don’t rust.
Because of these issues, our company does not sell or assemble steel ramps.
Wooden Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Can Visually Blend Into A Deck Or Porch, Slightly Cheaper Material Than Aluminum, High Weight Capacity
- Cons: Take Longer to Build, Require Intensive Maintenance, Require Building Permit, Can’t Be Moved/Reused
- Use: Long-Term Only
At $100 to $250 per linear foot for materials, wooden wheelchair ramps are fairly comparable in price to metal ramps.
However, wooden ramps require more labor than modular metal options. Each board must be measured, cut, and assembled on-site, which adds to the time and cost. Typically, it takes a licensed builder two to five full days to complete a standard-length ramp. Labor usually runs between $60 and $100 per foot. If your ramp needs concrete footings, material and labor costs may increase.
Most wooden ramps also require a permit from your local government. In Michigan, permit fees generally range from $100 to $300, depending on your location.
Composite Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Longer-Lasting And Less Maintenance Than Wood
- Cons: Higher Price Than Wood Or Metal, Requires Building Permit
- Use: Long-Term Only
Composite wheelchair ramps typically cost between $200 and $300 per linear foot. Composite material is designed to look like wood decking but is made from a blend of wood fiber and plastic. This combination creates planks that are more durable than wood and don’t require staining or sealing over time.
Installation costs are similar to wood, ranging from $60 to $100 per linear foot. Because the assembly process is nearly the same, you can expect the project to take two to five full days, depending on the length and complexity of the ramp.
Concrete Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Longer Lasting And Less Maintenance Than Wood, High Weight Capacity
- Cons: Expensive, Can Crack Over Time, Handrails Are An Added Expense
- Use: Long-Term Only
Concrete ramps tend to come with the highest price tag of all the ramp materials in this guide. Although concrete is typically priced by the cubic yard, you can expect to pay about $250 to $350 per foot for a 36-inch-wide concrete ramp. Labor costs can go beyond $100 per foot.
However, these are rough estimates. Concrete ramp projects are often more complex, especially when longer ramps are needed or the rise is steep. In some cases, a retaining wall must be built, and a base layer of sand added for support. When this happens, both material and labor costs increase significantly.
That said, these are rough estimates. Concrete ramp projects are often more complex, especially when dealing with longer ramps or higher rises. In some cases, a retaining wall may be required, along with a base layer of sand to create a stable foundation. When that happens, both labor and material costs can increase significantly.
Suitcase Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Extremely Portable, No Installation/Labor Costs
- Cons: Not Good For Rises More Than 8″, No Handrails, Can Be Cumbersome To Lift/Move, Especially In Longer Lengths, Limited Weight Capacity
- Use: Short-Term, Temporary
Suitcase ramps are named for their foldable design and built-in handle, making them easy to carry like a suitcase. They typically range from 2 to 8 feet in length and are intended for temporary use, such as navigating a curb or small set of steps in places like parking lots or public entrances.
As of 2025, prices for suitcase ramps usually range from $175 to $600, depending on the length and weight capacity.
Rubber Wheelchair Ramp Cost
- Pros: Ideal For Door Thresholds, Can Be Used Both Indoors And Outdoors, Very Durable, Good Traction
- Cons: Not Suitable For Rises Over 3″, Lack Handrails
- Use: Short-Term, Long-Term
Sometimes called threshold ramps, rubber ramps are designed for low rises and are most commonly used to help wheelchairs cross over door thresholds or small transitions between surfaces.
Prices are usually based on the ramp’s height. As of 2025, you can expect to pay around $35 for a 1/2-inch rise and up to $450 for a ramp with a 2 1/4-inch rise.
In conclusion, this guide has outlined the cost and considerations for several types of wheelchair ramps, including modular aluminum, steel, wood, composite, concrete, suitcase, and rubber threshold ramps. Each option comes with its own benefits and trade-offs, depending on your accessibility needs and budget.
When choosing the right ramp, consider both the overall cost and how the ramp will be used. Consulting with a professional ramp installer can help you get accurate measurements, a customized layout, and a clear understanding of the total investment. Most importantly, remember that accessibility isn’t just about price—it’s about safety, independence, and peace of mind. With the right ramp, you can create a safer and more accessible space that meets your needs.
When deciding on the right wheelchair ramp, it’s crucial to factor in both your budget and specific accessibility requirements. Consultation with professional ramp installers is recommended for tailored estimates and guidance. Remember, accessibility is about more than cost; it’s about ensuring safety. By carefully balancing your financial constraints with your unique accessibility needs, you can make an informed choice.
Get Your Free Quote!
Watch this video for info on what to expect if you complete a contact form on our site.
One Response
Dear Three-D’s,
The Knights of Columbus want to help one of our own with a ramp for his front door, so that he can be wheeled out to doctor’s appointments and in from doctor visits. It appears from some of your helpful articles that renting a metal ramp would be the best quick and short-term solution.
I have a design drawing of what we need, created by a design engineer friend of mine (correct dimensions, rise, etc.) which I would be happy to share. What I’d like to understand is the cost and timing to get it installed, as well as the cost of a more permanent wooden or metal ramp if we were to opt to buy it.
Can you help? The house is located in St. Clair and our council is located in Sterling Heights, so we aren’t local to the house. However, we can meet a representative from your company when and if the need arises.
Please let me know possible next steps.
Thanks and Regards,
John