Expert Stairlift Installation in Ypsilanti, MI

Most straight-rail installs take about 3 hours. Curved rails take 4–5 hours because the rail arrives pre-bent and needs precise alignment. Outdoor installs on Ypsilanti porches and stoops take about 4 hours. We schedule one visit — assessment, measure, and install happen on separate days, but the actual installation is always a single-visit job. No drywall work, no rewiring. We bolt the rail to the stair treads, plug the lift into a standard wall outlet, and test every function before we leave.

No. The rail bolts into the stair treads, never the wall. That's critical for Ypsilanti's historic homes in districts like Normal Park, the Historic South Side, and Depot Town, where plaster walls and original millwork need to stay intact. When the lift is eventually removed, the bolt holes in the treads can be filled and refinished. The lift runs on a DC motor and plugs into a standard outlet — no hardwiring, no electrical modifications.

Yes. Many pre-1900 homes in Ypsilanti have staircases as narrow as 30–32 inches. We carry Slimline models with a folding seat, armrests, and footrest that collapse to take up less than 14 inches of rail depth when not in use. The seat parks at the top or bottom landing, so the staircase remains passable. We measure the narrowest clearance point during the assessment and match the right model to your dimensions.

Our outdoor lifts use IP55-rated, marine-grade components sealed against snow, ice, and road salt. The motor housing is gasketed and the rail is powder-coated steel — we've had Ypsilanti units running through four or five Michigan winters with no corrosion issues. The 4Ah backup battery provides about 6 hours of operation during a power outage, which matters during the ice storms that knock out power in Washtenaw County.

Yes, through the HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant. Veterans with a service-connected disability can receive up to $6,800. Non-service-connected veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating can receive up to $2,000. The grant is one-time, tax-free, and never needs to be repaid. The nearest VA facility is the LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center at 2215 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor — about 7 miles from Ypsilanti. A VA primary care provider must write the medical-necessity prescription. We help with the paperwork at the assessment.

The MI Choice Waiver Program — Michigan's Home and Community Based Services waiver — covers environmental accessibility adaptations, which includes stairlifts. To qualify, you must meet the nursing-facility level of care criteria and be enrolled in Michigan Medicaid. In Washtenaw County, the program is administered through the local Area Agency on Aging. There is typically a waitlist. The waiver also covers other home modifications like ramps and bathroom alterations. We can connect you with a MI Choice caseworker during your assessment.

Washtenaw County's Home Rehabilitation Program includes a Critical Repair Program that provides grants up to $5,000 for urgent home repairs including accessibility modifications. There is also an Accessibility Ramp Program — though stairlifts are not ramps, the same office sometimes approves stairlift funding on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility is income-based and the home must be owner-occupied. We can point you to the right person at the county office during the free in-home assessment.

The $79/month figure is for a straight stairlift at $2,800 financed over 60 months with approved credit. Curved and outdoor lifts have higher monthly payments proportionate to their cost — typically $180–$250/month depending on the total. We offer 0% interest for 12 months on all models. There is no prepayment penalty — pay it off early and the interest stops. We run the application during the assessment and most people know within minutes whether they are approved.