Expert Stairlift Installation in Lemay, MO

A straight stairlift installs in about 3 hours from truck to test ride. We bolt the rail directly into the stair treads — no drywall work, no rewiring, no structural changes. Curved lifts take 4 to 6 hours, since the custom rail sections need precise alignment at each turn point. Outdoor lifts run about 4 hours with weatherproofing. For platform lifts (the flat deck for wheelchair users), plan on 5 to 6 hours.

No. The rail bolts into the treads — not the wall. In Lemay's pre-war homes with original oak treads, we use lag bolts that go straight down into the tread. The drywall, baseboards, and handrail all stay untouched. When the lift is eventually removed, you'll have four small bolt holes per tread — easily filled with wood putty and stain-matched. On carpeted stairs in split-levels, the bolts pass through the carpet and pad into the wood tread beneath. We vacuum and wipe down the full stairway before we leave.

Yes. Our outdoor lifts are IP55-rated — sealed against driving rain, snow, and dust. The rail is powder-coated aluminum with a corrosion-resistant finish. The seat is UV-stabilized vinyl that won't crack in summer sun or stiffen below freezing. The motor and gearbox are fully enclosed. Missouri's freeze-thaw cycles — where moisture seeps into small gaps, freezes, and expands — are the biggest threat to outdoor equipment. We seal every mounting point with flexible polyurethane caulk that moves with temperature swings. Battery backup is standard — your porch lift keeps running through an ice storm.

Yes — down to about 28 inches of usable width. Many Hancock Place and Broadway Place bungalows have staircases that are 30 to 34 inches wide. The rail mounts at the edge of the tread and the seat folds up to 12 inches deep when parked. When the lift is not in use, a folded seat leaves about 18 to 22 inches of clear walking space — enough for an adult to pass. If your staircase is under 28 inches, we look at alternative mounting positions or a different model.

The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant covers up to $6,800 for veterans with a service-connected disability, and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions. It's a one-time benefit, tax-free, and never has to be repaid. In Lemay, you apply through your VA primary care provider at the St. Louis VA Medical Center–Jefferson Barracks (1 Jefferson Barracks Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125) or at the John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (915 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63106). Your doctor writes a prescription stating the stairlift is medically necessary.

Missouri's Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) through MO HealthNet covers environmental accessibility adaptations — including stairlifts when medically necessary — for adults aged 63 and older who meet nursing-home level of care criteria. The benefit is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Coverage is subject to plan-of-care approval rather than a fixed dollar cap, and the waitlist can stretch from months to over a year, so apply early. We work with families to submit the assessment, quote, and medical-necessity documentation.

Yes. The Missouri Assistive Technology Program (MoAT) offers funding guidance, short-term equipment loans, and sometimes direct grants for stairlifts and other home-access equipment — contact them at at.mo.gov. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also runs Older Americans Act Title III funding through local Area Agencies on Aging for minor home modifications. And we always tell Lemay families: if you itemize, a stairlift prescribed by a physician may qualify as a medical expense deduction on your federal taxes.

The St. Louis County Veterans Program at 4548 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis (MO 63129) provides free benefits counseling, including help filing HISA grant applications. Their accredited Veterans Service Officers can review your VA disability rating, confirm HISA eligibility, and help submit the medical-necessity paperwork from your doctor at Jefferson Barracks or John Cochran VA. This service is free to all St. Louis County veterans.