Expert Stairlift Installation in West Bend, WI

A straight stairlift installs in about 3 hours. A curved rail takes 4–5 hours because the custom-bent rail requires more precise mounting. Outdoor units take about the same as straight indoor installs. In all cases, it's a one-day job — we arrive in the morning and you're using the lift by early afternoon. The only lead time is for curved rails, which take 2–3 weeks to manufacture after the laser measurement appointment.

No. The rail bolts directly to the stair treads — never into the walls. For the hardwood oak treads common in Barton Historic District homes, we use precision fasteners that go into the tread itself. If you ever remove the lift, the bolt holes are small and can be filled to match. We've installed in Cream City brick downtown cottages and 1890s Victorians without touching a single piece of trim or plaster.

Yes. The rail and seat assembly needs about 32 inches of stair width to operate safely. Most Barton and downtown West Bend homes were built with 34–36 inch staircases, so they're within range. During the free assessment, Luis measures the width at the narrowest point — often the landing turn. If clearance is tight, we use an offset hinge that lets the seat fold flatter against the rail when not in use.

For residential installations, no permit is required in West Bend or Washington County. Residential stairlifts fall outside Wisconsin's commercial conveyance code (SPS 318). Commercial installations — like in a church, office, or multi-unit apartment building — do require a state inspection. We handle all of that if your install is commercial. For a private home, you just need the stairs and an outlet nearby.

Yes — through Wisconsin's Family Care program and the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) waiver. Both are Medicaid HCBS programs that can cover home modifications and adaptive aids when medically necessary. Family Care is a managed care program where your care team authorizes the stairlift. IRIS is self-directed — you manage your own budget and can allocate funds toward a stairlift. The Washington County ADRC at 333 E Washington St, Suite 1000, West Bend (262-335-4497) can help you determine eligibility and navigate the application.

The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant covers up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating. It's a one-time, tax-free benefit that never has to be repaid. You'll need a prescription from a VA physician and VA Form 10-0103. The Washington County Veterans Service Office at 432 E Washington St, West Bend (262-335-4457) can help with the paperwork, and the closest VA medical center for processing is the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center at 5000 W National Ave, Milwaukee.

Washington County doesn't have a standalone home-modification grant, but the county's ADRC and Veterans Service Office are both in West Bend and can help you access state and federal programs. The ADRC's benefit specialists (262-335-4497) work with residents to screen for Family Care eligibility, IRIS enrollment, and other funding sources. The Veterans Service Officer can assist with HISA applications and connect you to additional VA benefits. Both offices are at the Public Agency Center on E Washington Street.

We offer financing starting at $79/month with no prepayment penalty. The application takes about 10 minutes and most approvals come through same-day. There's no home equity requirement — it's an unsecured installment loan. Many West Bend families combine financing with a partial grant (like HISA) to minimize the monthly payment. We walk through the numbers during the free assessment so you know exactly what you'd pay before making any commitment.