Expert Stairlift Installation in Mount Pleasant, MI

Straight rail: 3–4 hours, door to door. Curved rail: 5–6 hours. Outdoor units: about 4 hours. The rail mounts to the stair treads, not the wall, so there is no drywall repair, no painting, and no structural work. We bring every bracket, bolt, and tool. You do not need to clear the stairwell — we work around what is there.

No. The rail bolts directly into the stair treads with lag screws — not the wall studs, not the drywall. On hardwood treads (common in Mineral Springs and Cornerstone homes), the bolt holes are small and covered by the rail bracket. On carpeted stairs, the carpet compresses under the bracket. When a lift is removed, the tread holes can be filled and touched up. Walls stay untouched.

Yes. Many Downtown Historic District homes — Colonials and foursquares on Chippewa, Washington, and Franklin Streets — have staircases as narrow as 30–32 inches. We use compact-rail straight lifts with a fold-up seat, footrest, and armrests that collapse to take up about 12 inches of rail space when parked. The folded chair leaves plenty of room for other family members to use the stairs.

Yes. Outdoor lifts we install in Pine Ridge, Whispering Pines, and Deerfield Center use IP55-rated weather sealing — the motor housing, rail, and controls are built to handle freeze-thaw cycles, road salt spray, and the humidity that comes off the Chippewa River valley. The outdoor rail has a corrosion-resistant coating and the seat is marine-grade vinyl. We also install a waterproof cover that clips over the chair when not in use.

Yes. Michigan's MI Choice Waiver (pronounced 'My Choice') covers home modifications — including stairlifts — for residents 65 and older or 18–64 with a disability who qualify for nursing-home-level care but choose to stay at home. The stairlift must be written into the participant's individual care plan. Coverage is administered through the local Area Agency on Aging. Isabella County's Commission on Aging at 2200 S. Lincoln Road can help you start the application.

The HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant covers up to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans. It is a one-time, tax-free grant — never repaid. The grant can fully cover a straight stairlift for a service-connected veteran. Isabella County Veterans Affairs at 2200 S. Lincoln Road in Mount Pleasant helps with the initial paperwork. The closest VA medical center is the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC at 1500 Weiss Street in Saginaw, about 45 miles east.

Isabella County veterans can access care through the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center (1500 Weiss Street, Saginaw, MI 48602), the Clare VA Clinic (11775 North Isabella Road, Clare, MI 48617 — about 15 miles north of Mount Pleasant), and the county's own Veterans Affairs office at 2200 S. Lincoln Road. The HISA grant application typically starts at the county VA office, where a service officer helps with the forms. Once approved, the stairlift is ordered and installed by a VA-authorized provider.

Beyond MI Choice and HISA, Michigan offers the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program — grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners 62 and older to remove health and safety hazards, which includes stairlifts. The Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP) can sometimes help with funding or low-interest loans for mobility equipment. We also offer $79/month financing, and many Mount Pleasant families combine partial VA or Medicaid coverage with out-of-pocket payment for the remainder.