Expert Stairlift Installation in Bingham Farms, MI

Most straight stairlift installs in Bingham Farms take three hours or less. Curved rail installs run four to five hours because the custom-fabricated rail requires precise alignment. Outdoor units on stoops or deck stairs take about four hours, including weatherproofing the motor housing. Platform lifts take longer — typically two mornings — because of the heavier rail and the need to wire and test the battery backup. In every case, the staircase is usable the same day.

Bingham Farms does not require a building permit for stairlift installation. Stairlifts are classified as temporary home modifications under Michigan building codes — they bolt to the treads, not the structure, and can be removed without affecting the staircase. Michigan law (MCL 408.814a) does require that installers be manufacturer-certified, which our team is. If you live in a Bingham Pointe townhome with an HOA, check your covenants. The rail sits on the treads and does not penetrate walls, so it rarely triggers HOA review.

Yes. The standard straight rail fits staircases as narrow as 30 inches. Many of the 1960s and 1970s colonials in Bingham Road Estates and Springland have staircases in the 32-to-36-inch range, which is well within spec. The seat folds up when not in use, leaving about 18 inches of clearance for other family members to walk past. For stairs narrower than 30 inches, we can discuss a perch-seat option or an alternate landing configuration during the in-home assessment.

No. The rail bolts into the stair treads, not the wall, so your drywall and paint stay intact. On carpeted stairs — common in Bingham Pointe townhomes — the bolts go through the carpet into the wood tread beneath, with no need to pull up or replace carpet. On hardwood or tile treads, the bolt holes are small and can be filled if the lift is ever removed. There is no structural alteration to the staircase, no drilling into banisters or newel posts.

Yes. The VA HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant provides up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans enrolled in VA health care. It is a one-time, tax-free benefit that never has to be repaid. The nearest VA facilities for Bingham Farms veterans are the Pontiac VA Outpatient Clinic at 44200 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac (about 8 miles north) and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center at 4646 John R Street in Detroit.

Yes, for eligible dual-enrollees. The MI Health Link HCBS Waiver — available in Oakland County — covers home modifications, including stairlifts, when a medical need is documented and the modification prevents nursing-home placement. To qualify, you must be enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible), require a nursing-facility level of care, and live in your own home. The waiver runs through managed care plans like Molina and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. We work with your care coordinator to get prior authorization and handle the billing.

Oakland County's Home Improvement Program offers interest-free loans of up to $23,000 for qualified homeowners, and barrier-free access upgrades — including stairlifts — are explicitly covered. You must meet household income limits and occupy the home as your primary residence. The program is administered through Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development (248-858-5401). Separately, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B can connect Bingham Farms seniors with minor home-repair grants and home-safety assessments.

We offer financing starting at $79 per month through third-party lenders, with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months. There is no prepayment penalty. Many Bingham Farms families combine financing with partial grant coverage — for example, using the HISA grant's $6,800 toward a curved rail and financing the remainder. We walk through the numbers at the in-home assessment so you leave with a clear monthly figure, not a vague estimate.