Expert Stairlift Installation in New Haven, IN

A straight stairlift takes about 3 hours from arrival to cleanup. Curved lifts run 4 to 6 hours because the rail sections need precise alignment at each turn. In both cases, the rail bolts to the stair treads — not the wall — so there's no drywall repair or repainting needed. Most families go about their day in the rest of the house while we work.

No. Stairlifts are not structural modifications — they bolt to existing treads and plug into a standard wall outlet. Allen County does not require a building permit for stairlift installation. If you live in an HOA community like Lakes of Scarborough or Kennebec, the install is inside your home, so HOA rules generally don't apply.

Yes. We've fitted lifts on stairs as narrow as 28 inches — common in the pre-1940 homes near Broadway Street and in the Canal Square neighborhood. The seat and armrests fold up when not in use, leaving about 18 inches of clear walking space. In a few cases we use a hinge track at the bottom that flips up to keep a doorway clear.

No. The rail bolts into the stair treads, not the wall. The only tool marks are small bolt holes in the treads — covered by the rail itself. If you ever remove the lift, the holes fill with wood putty in about ten minutes. The motorized carriage runs on battery power and plugs into a standard outlet near the stairs.

Yes, through the HISA grant. Veterans with a service-connected disability can receive up to $6,800 — which covers a straight stairlift in full. Non-service-connected veterans can get up to $2,000. The application goes through the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, Fort Wayne Campus at 2121 Lake Avenue. You'll need a prescription from your VA primary care doctor stating the stairlift is medically necessary. We help with the paperwork.

Yes, through Indiana's PathWays for Aging waiver. This program replaced the old Aged & Disabled Waiver in July 2024 and covers home modifications — including stairlifts — for adults 60 and over who qualify for Medicaid and need nursing-facility-level care but want to stay at home. Home modifications are approved as part of your service plan. Call 877-284-9294 to reach a PathWays representative.

Two worth knowing about. The USDA Section 504 Home Repair program awards grants up to $10,000 to rural homeowners aged 62+ for health and safety modifications — including stairlifts. New Haven qualifies as rural under USDA guidelines. Also, the Fort Wayne Residential Accessibility Modifications Program offers grants for Fort Wayne residents, though it doesn't extend to New Haven. We can help you figure out which programs fit your situation during the free assessment.

Start with your VA primary care provider at the Fort Wayne Campus (2121 Lake Avenue). Ask for a HISA prescription stating the stairlift is medically necessary for your service-connected or non-service-connected condition. Then submit VA Form 10-0103 along with the prescription and a contractor quote to the VA prosthetics department. Processing usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. We'll provide the quote and help you fill out the form — at no charge.