Questions, answered plainly
The things people ask us on the phone every week, grouped by product. If yours is not here, call (717) 219-7976 and ask.
Stairlifts
How much does a stairlift cost?
Straight stairlifts run $2,900 to $8,000 installed depending on the model, rail length, and options; most land in the lower half. Certified pre-owned units are $1,600 to $4,500. Curved stairlifts start around $10,000 because the rail is built for your staircase. We give an exact written price after a free visit.
What is the most compact stairlift for narrow stairs?
The Savaria K2 folds to 10.75 inches from the wall. The Harmar SL600 folds to 10.5 inches. Both leave most of the staircase open for everyone else.
Do stairlifts work in a power outage?
Yes. Every stairlift we install runs on batteries that charge while the lift is parked. An outage does not strand anyone; you get many trips before the batteries need power again.
How much weight can a stairlift carry?
Savaria K2: 350 lb. Savaria K2 Plus: 400 lb. Harmar Pinnacle: 300 to 350 lb rated, and we recommend it for riders under about 225 lb based on our service experience. Curved models: 275 to 350 lb depending on the lift.
Can you install stairlifts outdoors?
Yes. The Savaria K2 has an outdoor package with weatherproof covers and corrosion-protected parts for porch steps and decks. It is a special order with a longer lead time.
Do stairlifts attach to the wall?
No. The rail mounts to the stair treads with brackets. Walls, banisters, and railings are untouched, and removal leaves only small screw holes in the treads.
How long does installation take?
Two to three hours for a straight stairlift; you ride it the same day. Curved rails take four to six weeks to be built and most of a day to install.
Can I rent a stairlift?
Yes, for straight staircases. $1,295 covers installation, removal, and the first three months; then $150 a month. See stairlift rental.
Home elevators
What is the best home elevator for a small space?
Shaftless or self-contained models: the PVE30 (30 inches across), the PVE Cube (36 by 36 inches), the Pollock in its compact size, or the Savaria Telecab. None needs a hoistway or machine room.
How much space does a residential elevator need?
A traditional Savaria Eclipse needs a hoistway of roughly 52 by 56 inches for the common cab. Shaftless models need as little as 30 to 36 inches of footprint plus a framed floor opening. We lay out the exact dimensions for your home.
Are home elevators wheelchair accessible?
Yes: the Savaria Eclipse, Infinity, Zenith, and Vuelift; the PVE52; the Telecab17 in its larger cab; and the Pollock in its wheelchair size. We size the cab and door to the chair.
Will I get stuck in a power outage?
No. Every elevator we install has battery lowering that brings the cab to a landing and opens the door. PVE elevators descend to the bottom landing on their own.
Do home elevators need permits or inspections?
Pennsylvania exempts residential elevators from state inspection, though a township building permit may apply to the construction. Maryland requires registering the elevator with the state. We handle both.
How long does an elevator project take?
Six to ten weeks from order to ride for a PVE or Pollock, most of it lead time. Three to five months for a traditional elevator that needs a new hoistway.
Platform lifts
What is a platform lift and how is it different from an elevator?
A vertical platform lift (VPL) raises a wheelchair user or standing passenger straight up between levels, up to 14 feet under US code (12 feet for commercial lifts in Pennsylvania without a variance). Most have open platforms rather than enclosed cabs, need far less construction than an elevator, and cost much less.
Which platform lift is best for a home?
For a porch or deck up to 6 feet, the Savaria Multilift. For higher travel, the Savaria V-1504. Both are outdoor rated and carry 750 lb.
Are platform lifts ADA compliant?
Yes, when configured for it: the V-1504, Multilift, Prolift, and Ascension lifts meet ADA and ASME A18.1 with the right platform size (typically 36 by 60 inches), gates or doors, constant-pressure controls, and emergency lowering.
What lift is best for a stage or raised floor?
The Ascension Protégé and Virtuoso. Low profile, no pit or hoistway, and they preserve sight lines. Some versions are portable.
Can platform lifts go outdoors?
Yes. The Multilift and V-1504 are outdoor rated, with weather enclosures available for the V-1504.
How much weight can a platform lift hold?
750 lb is standard for the V-1504 and Multilift. The Prolift carries 1,000 to 1,400 lb.
How long does a platform lift take to install?
One day for most residential lifts once the pad and circuit are ready. Commercial lifts add state permit lead time before the order and an inspection afterward, typically a few weeks end to end.
Modular ramps
What is the best ramp system for a home?
The EZ-ACCESS PATHWAY 3G aluminum modular ramp. It does not rust or rot, meets ADA slope and width, configures to nearly any porch or entry, and comes back out when no longer needed.
Can you install ramps for commercial buildings?
Yes. The PATHWAY HD system meets ADA, IBC, and OSHA requirements with 48 to 54 inch widths and compliant guard rails.
How wide and how steep should a wheelchair ramp be?
36 inches of clear width for homes, 48 inches or more for commercial. Slope of 1:12 (one foot of ramp per inch of rise) is the ADA standard; a 2:12 slope is sometimes acceptable at home for power chairs with help. Details on the ramp page.
Can a ramp be installed on uneven ground?
Yes. Adjustable legs and support piers handle slopes and uneven yards. We level everything on site.
How quickly can a ramp be installed?
Most residential ramps are installed in a few hours to a day. Single-piece ramps for one step can go in the same day.
Can you quote from photos?
Often, yes. Send photos and rough measurements and we can usually give a same-day estimate, then confirm on site.
Service, warranty, and availability
Do your products come with a warranty?
Yes. Every product carries its manufacturer warranty (for example, 3 years parts on the Savaria K2 and 36 months on Savaria elevators) plus our own 1 year service warranty on labor.
What does the 1 year service warranty cover?
Labor and diagnostics for any manufacturer-related issue in the first year: adjustments, repairs, and inspection at no charge. Batteries and consumables are not covered. Service plans are available for the years after.
Do you service equipment you did not install?
Yes. We service most stairlift, platform lift, and elevator brands across central PA and northern MD, including units from dealers that have closed. See stairlift repair.
What does a service call cost?
Flat rate plus mileage, never hourly: $195 for a stairlift, $275 for a platform lift, $295 for a home elevator, $395 for a commercial lift. Parts are quoted before we install them. Warranty work is no charge.
How soon can you come out?
Consultations are usually within a few days. Straight stairlift installs are often within a week. Service calls for a stopped lift get the first available slot in your area.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, through Hearth, with payments from $59 a month for qualified buyers and no effect on your credit to see options. See financing.
Ready to talk it through?
Call and you will reach a person who installs these for a living. Or request a free in-home consultation and we will come to you, measure, and give you a written price with no pressure.