Expert Stairlift Installation in North Druid Hills, GA

A straight stairlift installs in 3 to 4 hours. Curved lifts take 5 to 6 hours because the custom rail needs precise alignment. Outdoor lifts run about 4 hours, including sealing the mounting points. We bolt the rail to the treads, not the wall — so there's no drywall work, no repainting, and no cleanup beyond sweeping the stairs. Luis handles everything and walks you through the controls before leaving.

No. The rail bolts directly to the treads with five to seven mounting brackets — the bolts go through the tread into the structure below. On hardwood, the bolt holes are about the diameter of a pencil. On carpet, we bolt right through — no carpet tear-out needed. If you ever remove the lift, the holes are easy to fill with wood putty or a carpet patch. No damage to walls, railings, or drywall.

No. Stairlifts are classified as accessibility equipment, not structural modifications. In unincorporated DeKalb County — which covers all of North Druid Hills — no building permit is required for stairlift installation. If you live in an HOA community, the lift is inside your home so HOA rules don't apply.

Yes. The narrowest staircase we can fit is 28 inches wide — and most mid-century ranches in North Druid Hills have 32-to-36-inch staircases, which is more than enough room. The seat folds up when not in use, leaving about 18 inches of passable width. Luis checks all measurements at the free assessment to confirm fit before ordering anything.

Yes, through the HISA grant (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations). Veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive up to $6,800 toward a stairlift — that covers a straight lift completely. Non-service-connected veterans can receive up to $2,000. The grant is one-time, tax-free, and never has to be repaid. The medical-necessity evaluation goes through your VA primary care provider at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center at 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur — about 10 minutes from most North Druid Hills addresses.

Yes, through Georgia's EDWP (Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program). EDWP covers home modifications including stairlifts up to a $10,000 lifetime cap for Medicaid-eligible seniors and adults with disabilities who would otherwise need nursing-home care. Contact the DeKalb County Office of Aging at 770-322-2950 to start the eligibility screening. There is a waitlist for EDWP, so apply as early as possible — most North Druid Hills families wait 6 to 12 months for slots to open.

Habitat for Humanity DeKalb runs an Aging in Place program that provides critical home repairs and modifications for older adults. Eligibility is income-based — household income must be at least 50% of the area median income and no more than 80%. They may cover accessibility modifications including ramps and grab bars; stairlift coverage is evaluated case by case. The Atlanta Regional Commission's Area Agency on Aging (Empowerline) can also connect you with additional local resources across metro Atlanta.

Sometimes, yes. For example, a veteran could use the HISA grant for $6,800 toward a stairlift and then finance any remaining balance through our $79/month plan. EDWP funds and HISA can sometimes stack, but that requires coordination between your VA caseworker and your Medicaid care coordinator. We've also had clients use long-term care insurance alongside HISA. Luis can walk through your specific situation at the assessment — he's helped more than a hundred North Druid Hills families work through the funding paperwork.