Expert Stairlift Installation in Kirkwood, MO

A straight stairlift install takes about 3 hours from arrival to final test. That includes unpacking, mounting the rail to the treads, attaching the carriage, running the power cord to a nearby outlet, and testing the full run with weight. Curved installs take longer — usually 4–6 hours — because the rail arrives in sections and gets assembled and aligned on site. We don't cut into drywall or modify your home's structure. The rail bolts directly into the stair treads with lag bolts. When we leave, the only sign we were there is a working stairlift.

No. The rail mounts to the stair treads with five lag bolts per bracket — not to the wall, not to the banister. This matters in Kirkwood's older homes where plaster walls and original woodwork are part of the house's character. We don't touch the drywall, trim, or handrail. The lift runs on a track that sits about 4 inches above the treads, so the staircase remains unchanged underneath. If the lift is ever removed, the only trace is a few bolt holes in the treads.

For a straight lift, we typically install within 5–7 business days after the assessment — the rails are standard lengths and we keep common configurations in our St. Louis warehouse. Curved lifts take 3–4 weeks because the rail is custom-fabricated at the manufacturer from the laser measurements taken during your assessment. Outdoor units usually take about two weeks. Rush installations are sometimes available for hospital discharge situations — ask Luis at the assessment.

The seat, armrests, and footrest all fold up when not in use. Folded, the unit extends about 11–14 inches from the wall — about the same as a handrail. The track is 4 inches tall above the tread. For Kirkwood homes with narrower staircases — common in the pre-1940 houses — this clearance matters. At the assessment, Luis measures the stair width and shows you exactly how much walking room remains. If the staircase is under 30 inches wide, we have a narrower rail option.

The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant provides up to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating. It's a one-time grant, tax-free, never repaid. The process: your VA primary care provider at Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center (1 Jefferson Barracks Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125) or the St. Louis County VA Clinic in Florissant writes a prescription stating the stairlift is medically necessary.

Yes — through the Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW), part of Missouri's MO HealthNet program. The ADW covers home modifications, including stairlifts, for residents age 63 and older who meet nursing-home level-of-care criteria. Income limits: $1,737/month for an individual (2026). Asset limit: $6,068.80 (your primary home and one vehicle are exempt). The waiver has a waitlist that can stretch months to years — priority goes to those at immediate risk of institutionalization. Contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging to begin a screening.

We offer financing starting at $79/month through a third-party lender. No prepayment penalty, and most applicants get a decision within minutes at the assessment. The loan covers the full cost — straight, curved, outdoor, or heavy-duty — and the credit check doesn't affect your score until you accept and sign. For families splitting the cost among siblings, we can also invoice in portions so each person pays separately.

Beyond MO HealthNet's Aged and Disabled Waiver, the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging sometimes has limited funds for minor home modifications through the Older Americans Act — typically smaller amounts ($500–$2,000) and dependent on annual funding cycles. Missouri's Assistive Technology Program (MOAT) offers low-interest loans for accessibility equipment including stairlifts. The USDA Rural Development 504 Home Repair program covers modifications for very-low-income homeowners age 62+ in eligible areas, though most of Kirkwood's income levels exceed that program's threshold. We check all five funding paths during the free assessment.