Expert Stairlift Installation in Montgomery, NY

A straight rail install typically takes 2-3 hours from arrival to cleanup. Curved rails, which are custom-fabricated after a one-hour laser measurement, take about 4-5 hours to install once the rail arrives — usually 2-3 weeks after measurement. We cover the treads and floors during the work and leave the stairwell clean.

No. The rail bolts to the stair treads, not the wall. For homes in the Bridge Street or Union Street historic districts, we take extra care — no drilling into original woodwork, no marks on plaster. When the lift is eventually removed, the tread bolt-holes can be plugged and finished. The drywall and banisters stay intact throughout.

In almost all cases, no. A residential stairlift is an accessibility modification, not a structural change, and Orange County does not require a building permit for it. If your home sits in a historic district with an architectural review board, we can help with any documentation needed — though we have never had a Montgomery install require special approval.

Yes. Many homes off Route 17K and along the Wallkill River have stairs built before modern codes — steeper pitch, narrower treads. We use a slim-rail platform that fits stairs as narrow as 28 inches wide and handles pitches up to 52 degrees. The seat, armrests, and footrest all fold up when not in use, keeping the walkway open.

Yes, through two programs. The HISA grant covers up to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and $2,000 for non-service-connected — one-time, tax-free, never repaid. The closest VA facilities are the Castle Point VA Medical Center at 41 Castle Point Road, Wappingers Falls (about 15 miles east) and the Goshen VA Clinic at 30 Hatfield Lane, Goshen (about 14 miles south). Separately, New York's Access to Home for Heroes provides up to $25,000 in forgivable loan funding for qualifying disabled veterans.

Yes, through the NHTD (Nursing Home Transition and Diversion) Waiver. This Medicaid waiver covers home modifications including stairlifts for seniors and adults with physical disabilities who qualify for nursing-home level care. The process runs through your Medicaid care manager. Orange County's Office for the Aging at 40 Matthews Street, Goshen (845-615-3700) can help connect you with waiver services.

The NHTD Waiver is the primary Medicaid route. Additionally, NY's Access to Home program provides grants for low- and moderate-income disabled residents, and the Access to Home for Heroes program offers up to $25,000 for disabled veterans. The Orange County Office for the Aging can assess which program fits your situation and help start the application.

Generally you cannot double-dip on the same expense. But the HISA grant and the Access to Home for Heroes forgivable loan serve different purposes and can sometimes be sequenced. We recommend starting with the HISA grant — it is simpler, requiring one form and a medical-necessity statement from your VA primary care provider — and it often fully covers a straight-rail install. For a curved rail that exceeds HISA, talk to us about layering options and timing.