Expert Stairlift Installation in Lansdowne, PA

A straight stairlift in a Lansdowne twin — like the homes in the Henry Albertson Subdivision — takes about 3 hours from arrival to test ride. The rail bolts to the treads, not the wall, so there is no drywall work, no painting, and no rewiring. The motor plugs into a standard 110V outlet at the top or bottom of the stairs. For a curved rail in a Lansdowne Park Victorian, the install takes 5 to 6 hours because the rail arrives in pre-bent sections that need precise joining. Luis and one other installer handle every job.

No. A stairlift is classified as an appliance, not a structural modification. Under Lansdowne Borough's building code (Chapter 146), stairlift installation does not require a building permit because the rail mounts to existing treads and the motor plugs into an existing outlet. No walls are opened, no electrical work is done beyond plugging in. If you are also doing a larger renovation that does require a permit, we coordinate with the borough on your behalf, but the stairlift itself triggers no permit requirement.

No. The rail brackets bolt directly into the stair treads — not the balusters, newel posts, or banister. We use a drill guide to keep bolt holes clean and centered on each tread. If you ever remove the lift, the treads will have small bolt holes (about 3/8 inch) that a wood-filler stick covers in minutes. We do not touch the walls, the plaster, or the original millwork. For homes in the National Register historic districts, we photograph the install area before and after and provide those photos if the historic commission ever needs documentation.

Yes — most Lansdowne rowhouse staircases are 30 to 34 inches wide, and we use a compact rail that fits stairs as narrow as 28 inches. The seat folds up when not in use, clearing about 18 inches of walking space. For very tight staircases — like the steep straight runs in some Gladstone Manor cottages — we bring the rail during the assessment and mock up the folded position so you can see the clearance before you decide. In 15 years of installing in Lansdowne, we have not encountered a staircase that could not take a lift.

Yes. The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant covers stairlift installation for eligible veterans. Service-connected veterans can receive up to $6,800; non-service-connected veterans can receive up to $2,000. Both amounts are one-time, tax-free, and never repaid. Lansdowne veterans can apply through the Delaware County VA Clinic at 4883 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square (about 8 miles away), or through the main Coatesville VA Medical Center at 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road.

Yes, through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program administered by the Pennsylvania Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL). Home modifications — including stairlifts — are covered when medically necessary to keep a person in their home instead of a nursing facility. The waiver requires a nursing-facility level of care determination, a needs assessment, and prior authorization. Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) at 610-490-1300 is the first call for Lansdowne residents to start the eligibility process. Approval timelines typically run 60 to 90 days.

Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) administers in-home support services for residents 60 and older, which can include home modifications like stairlifts after a complete assessment. COSA does not write a check directly for the lift — instead, they coordinate through the state's Community HealthChoices program. Call COSA at 610-490-1300 to request an assessment. Separately, the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities Accessible Housing Grant provides funds for home modifications, though availability depends on the annual funding cycle and is administered through county-level housing partnerships rather than directly to individuals.

The Pennsylvania Accessible Housing Grant (part of the Keystone Communities Program) funds home modifications for eligible low-to-moderate-income residents with permanent disabilities. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000 disbursed through county housing agencies — in Delaware County, contact the county's Housing and Community Development office. The Inglis Home Modifications for Independence (HMI) program also serves Delaware County, providing grant-funded modifications for people with disabilities. The VA HISA grant ($6,800 service-connected, $2,000 non-service-connected) is available to Lansdowne's roughly 340 veterans. None of these require repayment.