Expert Stairlift Installation in New Ulm, MN

A standard straight-rail install takes about 3 hours from arrival to cleanup. Curved lifts take 4 to 5 hours because the rail is heavier and has more anchor points. Outdoor and platform lifts run about 4 hours. We schedule installs Tuesday through Friday, and Luis is on-site for every one in the New Ulm area.

No. The rail bolts directly into the stair treads — not the wall. For New Ulm's Victorian homes with original oak treads, we use a bolt-through mounting system that does not strip or crack the wood. The drywall, banisters, and decorative molding stay untouched. When the lift is eventually removed, the only evidence is small bolt holes in the treads, which fill easily with wood putty. We have installed on South German Street, South Broadway, and throughout the historic districts without a single damage claim.

Stairlifts do not require a building permit in New Ulm or anywhere in Brown County. They are considered temporary accessibility equipment, not a structural modification. Your homeowner's association — if applicable — cannot block the install under the Fair Housing Act (42 USC 3604(f)(3)(A)). We handle any HOA paperwork at no extra charge.

Yes. We install on staircases with doors at either end all the time in New Ulm — especially in older Goosetown homes where the staircase opens directly into a kitchen or bedroom. The seat and footrest fold up to clear the doorway. If needed, we can add a hinge-track section at the bottom that flips up when the lift is not in use, leaving the doorway fully open.

The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant pays up to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans. It is tax-free, one-time, and never has to be repaid. The application starts with your VA primary care provider, who writes a medical-necessity statement. The Brown County Veterans Service Office at 14 South State Street in New Ulm helps with the paperwork. The nearest VA facilities are the Lyle C.

Yes. The Minnesota Elderly Waiver EAA program (Environmental Accessibility Adaptations) covers stairlifts for people 65 and older who qualify for Medical Assistance and need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home. The EAA benefit is CPI-indexed at approximately $21,722 per year and is not a lifetime cap — it renews annually. A case manager from Brown County Human Services (507-359-6500) assesses eligibility. The Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 can also answer questions. The waitlist can run several months, so start the process early.

Beyond the Elderly Waiver EAA and HISA grant, Minnesota offers the STAR Program for assistive technology, which provides low-interest loans for home modifications. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has a Fix-Up Fund for home improvements, though it targets broader repairs. Some private long-term care insurance policies include home-modification riders — we can help you check your policy during the assessment. The Brown County Veterans Service Office also keeps a current list of local grants for seniors.

Plan for two to four months from initial application to completed install. The assessment with Brown County Human Services takes two to three weeks to schedule. Once the EAA authorization is approved — typically three to six weeks later — we order the equipment and schedule the install within two to three weeks. The HISA grant through the Minneapolis VAMC moves faster — often four to six weeks total, because there is no waitlist. We coordinate with both systems so you are not stuck in the middle.