Expert Stairlift Installation in Shelton, WA

A straight stairlift takes about 3 hours from arrival to cleanup. Curved rails take 4-5 hours because the custom-bent rail needs more precise alignment. Outdoor units take about the same as indoor — 3 hours for straight, up to 5 for curved. We protect your floors with drop cloths and clean up completely before leaving — no trace except the rail.

No. Stairlifts are considered temporary home modifications — not structural changes. They bolt to the treads, not the framing, so no building permit is required in Shelton city limits or anywhere in Mason County. If you live in an HOA community like Lake Limerick, check your covenants, but most classify stairlifts as medical equipment and don't restrict them.

Yes — the outdoor units we install are IP55-rated, meaning they're sealed against water spray and dust. The rail is aluminum, which doesn't rust like steel. We also fit a weatherproof cover for the seat and controls. We've had units on Oakland Bay waterfront homes for years with no corrosion issues. You do want to clear moss off the rail periodically, same as you would a deck.

In most cases, yes. The standard straight rail needs about 28 inches of stair width. Many of Shelton's 1920s-1940s homes — especially in Hillcrest and around downtown — have stairs that are 30 to 32 inches wide. That's tight, but workable. We measure during the free assessment and tell you honestly if it fits. If the stairs are narrower than 28 inches, we look at whether a perch seat with a smaller footprint works.

Yes — through the VA's HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant. Service-connected veterans can receive up to $6,800; non-service-connected veterans up to $2,000. It's a one-time benefit, tax-free, and never repaid. The nearest VA facility for Shelton veterans is the Olympia VA Clinic at 500 Lilly Road NE in Olympia, about 22 miles away. We help with the paperwork — your VA primary care provider needs to sign off on medical necessity.

Yes, through Washington's COPES waiver (Community Options Program Entry System). COPES covers home modifications including stairlifts for Medicaid-eligible adults who meet nursing-facility level of care but choose to stay at home. You must meet financial criteria — generally income below 300% of SSI and assets under $2,000 for an individual. Contact the Mason County DSHS office to start the application.

The Northwest Access Fund offers low-interest loans (0-3%) for home accessibility modifications for Washington residents. Mason County also administers a Veterans' Assistance Fund at 210 West Franklin Street in Shelton for local indigent veterans. Neither program replaces the HISA grant or COPES waiver, but they can fill gaps in coverage for residents who don't qualify for federal or Medicaid benefits.

Start with your VA primary care provider — at the Olympia VA Clinic (500 Lilly Road NE) or through VA Puget Sound Health Care. They must complete VA Form 10-0103 confirming medical necessity. You'll also need a quote from us showing the cost. We help compile both during your assessment. The VA reviews applications in 30-45 days typically. Once approved, we schedule your install.