Cost of a Permanent Wheelchair Ramp: What Factors Influence the Pricing?
A permanent wheelchair ramp can be an expensive investment for any home or business, but the cost varies depending on the factors.
For example, if you are building a new home and want to include accessibility features from day one, then your construction company will require additional time and equipment.
Depending on how much work needs to be done before they can install a permanent wheelchair ramp at ground level, this could add thousands of dollars onto the original price tag.
In contrast, a business that is already up-and-running might simply need to purchase materials in order to create a ramp. A quick search online for “ wheelchair ramps for steep stairs” reveals many different models with prices ranging from $150-$2200+—the average cost of installing permanent wheelchairs ramps.
A ramp can give someone with mobility problems access to their home.
It will teach you all about the cost of a permanent wheelchair ramp and what factors influence the pricing.
If you are looking for a permanent wheelchair ramp, the cost will depend on many different factors. There are many types of ramps that can be installed in your home or business. Some have more features than others, which means they will be more expensive.
If you’re considering installing a permanent wheelchair ramp, then this blog post is perfect for you!
This article discusses what these factors are and how they influence pricing.
How Much Does a Permanent Wheelchair Ramp Cost?
Wheelchair ramp installation allows a disabled person to enter into elevated platforms called ramps from ground level.
They can be constructed from inexpensive plastic or aluminum slabs attached to the pavement or a pre-made wooden pole extending vertically from the ground.
Depending upon the material and other features, a permanent wheelchair ramp usually used to access a height of thirty inches (30 feet) can cost from $3,000 to $8,500. Sometimes the cost goes high, between a hundred and fifty dollars to two thousand dollars.
The cost of a portable wheelchair ramp depends upon its use and its complexity.
Since installing a permanent ramp is very costly and time-consuming, most institutions that provide wheelchairs provide portable ramps. Portable wheelchair ramps are usually made of lightweight aluminum.
They are assembled and disassembled by trained and experienced technicians when a client has his or her own accessible vehicle. This reduces the installation cost because technicians can do the job in a shorter time.
How do The Permanent And Portable Ramps differ?
Portable wheelchair ramps for stairs usually cost less than permanent ones. The main difference between them lies in the portability of the product.
Portability refers to the flexibility of the product because one can take it anywhere and use it. Whereas, on the other hand, permanent residential wheelchair ramps have to be mounted in a particular location and cannot be taken anywhere.
In addition, the size of a permanent ramp is usually bigger and is more difficult to transport.
A portable ramp, on the other hand, is very light and can be carried easily. It can also be dismantled and reinstalled as and when necessary. Another kind of wheelchair ramp is wheelchair ramp rental. They can be cost-effective if managed properly, or you need them for some time.
So, if a disabled person would like to travel by a standard vehicle, the cost of buying a permanent ramp will be very high.
However, a portable wheelchair ramp is not huge and can be fitted easily in a small car or even a van. Portable wheelchair ramps are very easy to mount because they attach a strap or hook to the vehicle or a trailer.
What Are the Factors That Contribute to Pricing of Wheelchairs?
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Material:
The first factor that influences the pricing is a wheelchair ramp’s material.
Generally, they are available in aluminum and steel. Aluminum ramps may have two types: extruded or formed ones.
The extrusion process makes these more durable as compared to those from the forming method, which means they will be stronger but not as strong as an extruded one. It has been compressed together under high heat and pressure.
On the other hand, steel gets its strength from being welded together rather than crushed like with aluminum. However, steel also tends to rust faster if there is no coating applied; thus, requiring regular maintenance of covering them with paint every few months for protection against corrosion (Rust).
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Weight:
Another factor influencing cost is how much weight the wheelchair ramp can hold. The higher the weight capacity, the more expensive it will be due to increased materials required for its construction.
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Length:
Also, consider the length of your ramp because longer ramps need stronger material and are usually costlier than shorter ones.
These ramps require a larger quantity of metal in order to make them stable enough that they do not collapse under someone’s weight.
It should also consider how much space you have available where you want to set up this permanent lift as well.
Making sure there is enough room before buying one. It will help save money in case something doesn’t fit after installation. The thing may happen occasionally when dealing with pre-made equipment instead of the custom-built unit made specifically for each home.
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Turns And Gradient:
Additional factors to consider are the number of turns you need for your ramp and its gradient or degree of incline.
The steeper it is, the more metal will be required to make sure the wheelchair user does not feel unsafe when trying to maneuver up/down on it.
They may lose their balance easily due to a lack of strength in their legs as well as the increased chance that a car would slip if driving too fast during rain or snowstorm.
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Safety Railing:
You can also opt-out for a safety railing which adds additional cost depending on how high and above floor level are where the railings are installed on either side. There the person could hold onto while going down a steep slope.
These safety rails should have a rubberized finish, so no one slips while gripping them, even with sweaty hands from the anxiety of being on high angle terrain.
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Longevity:
The additional cost should also be considered when deciding how long the ramp is. The longer ramps require a larger quantity of metal in order to make them stable enough not to collapse under someone’s weight or that from a car driving up on it.
Once you have decided to buy a permanent ramp, you must also decide how much you want to spend on it.
Most handicap-accessible vehicles come with a ramp already attached. So, you do not need to purchase a ramp separately.
The price of a wheelchair ramp will depend on its quality and material. You must also consider any possible modification that will make the ramp more portable.
It is very important to get the right measurements. This is to ensure that the wheelchair ramp fits your vehicle perfectly. Moreover, wheelchair ramp installers near me are available in different heights. Usually, the higher the ramp, the lower is its price. If you are looking for a low-cost ramp, choose a flat bottom wheelchair ramp.
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