Expert Stairlift Installation in Haverford, PA

A straight-rail install in a standard Haverford colonial with a 13-to-16-foot stair run takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours. The finish-matching step on-site adds about 20 minutes compared to a standard install, but we build that into the schedule. Curved-rail installs require 2 to 3 weeks of manufacturing lead time after the measurement visit, then 5 to 6 hours on installation day. Same-week turnaround for straight rails is routinely available.

Yes. U-shaped staircases require a curved rail with two turns — one at the first landing and one at the second. The rail is manufactured in three sections joining at each landing and the seat travels around both turns and lands flat at the upper floor. For a 1920s Haverford or Bryn Mawr Tudor, the original staircase dimensions often allow a clean installation without modifying any original woodwork. We confirm the geometry on the measurement visit before committing to the fabrication order.

No — and this is the question we hear most often in Haverford and Ardmore. The rail brackets bolt into the stair treads, not the balusters or the handrail. Bracket placement is selected on-site in collaboration with the homeowner, specifically to preserve original woodwork. We use a depth-stop bit to limit penetration to 1.5 inches, match the bracket finish to the existing wood tone, and cap every hole with a color-matched plug before leaving. The original banister remains fully functional after installation.

No building permit is required. Delaware County and Haverford Township treat stairlifts as plug-in equipment, not structural modifications. The rail bolts into existing stair treads; no joists or walls are touched. The exception is a new dedicated electrical circuit, which requires a permit if the existing outlet is not within reach. We assess the electrical situation on the measurement visit and handle the permit if needed.

Yes. PA Community HealthChoices covers stairlifts as Environmental Accessibility Adaptations under the HCBS benefit — up to $6,000 per 12-month period, $10,000 lifetime cap. You must be PA Medicaid eligible, assessed at nursing-facility level of care, and enrolled with one of the three CHC MCOs. We are credentialed with all three. Your Service Coordinator writes the stairlift into your Person-Centered Service Plan. Call 1-800-757-5042 to start.

The PA OPTIONS Program is administered through the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging and covers home modifications for residents 60 or older who do not qualify for Medicaid. Funding is state-funded on an income-based sliding scale. It is one of the most accessible funding pathways in Delaware County for homeowners who exceed the Medicaid income threshold — which includes many Haverford families. The AAA intake typically takes 30 to 45 days. We provide the required specification letter.

Yes. The HISA grant covers up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions. A VA physician prescription stating medical necessity is required. Crescenz VA in Philadelphia (215-823-5800) serves Delaware County veterans. We pre-fill VA Form 10-0103 and work with the HISA coordinator at Crescenz. Typical approval timeline is 4 to 8 weeks from prescription to payment.

The PA OPTIONS Program does not have a Medicaid enrollment requirement — it is designed for residents 60-plus with moderate incomes who need home modification assistance. Delaware County AAA administers the program locally. Above OPTIONS income thresholds, the primary options are the VA HISA grant (for veterans — no income test), tax-advantaged financing, and the medical expense deduction on federal Schedule A if stairlift cost exceeds 7.5% of adjusted gross income. We review all applicable options on the assessment visit.