When to Use electric wheelchair lift?

10, Mar. 2025

 

Wheelchair Lifts for Home - Outdoor & Indoor - Freedom Lift Systems

Most often the wheelchair lift price is less than the cost of installing a ramp. A ramp must be at least 12' long for every 1 inch of rise. Which means even if you only have a 10' high porch, your ramp would need to be at least 10 feet long. There is a lot of skilled labor involved in building a ramp, so the cost can be quite high when you consider the amount of material and the time it will take.

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The Freedom Wheelchair Lifts take up significantly less space, and can be installed in a few hours, if the site is prepared. Customers have found that wheelchair porch lift prices are significantly lower than the quotes they've received for having a ramp installed.

Depending on where your home is located, your local building permit office may have certain requirements about the lift itself and who is authorized to do residential lift installations. Always check with local authorities for permit requirements. If you are receiving any funding for this type of home modification (for example, by Veterans Affairs), the funding organization may also have certain criteria regarding who is authorized to install these home lift systems.

However, if you have confirmed that there is no such requirement for residential lift installations in your area (municipal or state), these lifts are easy to install. Here's what you need to know to decide what skills are needed to install the Freedom Wheelchair Platform lifts:

  • The site must be prepared with a level concrete pad.
  • The upper landing must be secure and level.
  • A travel wall may need to be installed if there is an open space underneath the deck.
  • An upper railing and upper landing gate may need to be installed, depending on the height required.
  • A 110 VAC 15A electrical receptacle must be provided within 6 feet of the tower side of the wheelchair lifts (up to 12' cords are available). If there is no outlet close by, preferably a dedicated circuit, then an electrician will needed to add one.
  • The wheelchair platform lifts can weigh 600-lbs, so the installation will require a few strong individuals and a dolly to move the tower. 
  • There is some assembly required, so someone who is capable of reading installation instructions and has the required tools should be able to install the wheelchair platform lifts.

Adding an exterior wheelchair lift to gain access to your home is a great first step to making your home accessible for all family members and visitors. The next step should be making your bathroom accessible since this room can be the most difficult to use when you have limited mobility or depend on a wheelchair or walker to get around. If possible a main floor bathroom should be accessible.

Adding a curbless or barrier free shower will greatly reduce the dangers of slips and falls while transitioning into a shower. Adding grab bars and a shower bench will make this even safer. Visit freedomshowers.com to see the many options available for your accessible bathroom.

3 Tips to Find the Right Electric Lift - BraunAbility

Are you currently in the market for a new wheelchair lift and unsure what to look for?

Having a wheelchair lift fitted to your vehicle can make a huge difference in your quality of life. It makes it easier for you to get out of the house and allowing you to keep your independence.

But what makes a great electric lift for the car?

In this article, we'll give you some things to look for in electric wheelchair lifts. 

1. Look For an Under Vehicle Lift

It may be best to look for an under vehicle wheelchair lift that fits beneath the vehicle and is hidden when not in use.

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These are great as they do not block visibility for the driver, so you'll be very safe when traveling. Also, the lift doesn't block access for any other passengers, meaning the whole vehicle is still accessible.

The BraunAbility Under Vehicle Lift (UVL) does exactly this and is a highly recommended option. It also boasts a longer platform that easily accommodates larger wheelchairs.

2. Be Safe with a Safety Roll Stop

When purchasing an electric wheelchair lift, you need to ensure your safety is at the forefront of your mind. If you were to have an unfortunate accident while using it, you could get seriously hurt.

Thankfully, certain wheelchair lifts are built with optimal safety in mind. One of these is the BraunAbility Millenium Series wheelchair lift which has a safety roll stop built in.

The hydraulic-powered roll stop will raise to a vertical position before the lift starts to operate. This reduces the risk of an accident happening. There are also sensors in the lift which prevent the lift from starting if the roll stop is not fully engaged.

3. Independent Operation Feature

Something that will give you peace of mind while using the wheelchair lift is an independent operator control. This means that you can control the lift while on the platform. This is great if you're likely to feel nervous using the lift.

The BraunAbility Century Series wheelchair lift includes this great feature and is an economical option. It also boasts a spring-loaded roll stop safety feature and can be used in vehicles without raised doors.

There's no doubt that this wheelchair lift could be a great option.  

How To Choose an Electric Lift For The Car

As you can see there are many things to consider when choosing an electric lift for your vehicle, but we think these tips can help you make a wise decision. Make sure to take your time when choosing a wheelchair lift and consider your needs carefully.

If you need any help choosing a wheelchair lift, feel free to contact us.