How to Purchase a Wheelchair Lift

A wheelchair lift is designed to help someone who uses a wheelchair move more safely. A wheelchair lift can help a wheelchair user enter a van, move from one floor to another or enter a building. If you have a private residence or business you may want to purchase a wheelchair lift to make it easier to access your house or business for those who use a wheelchair.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide if you want to lease a chair lift or purchase one outright. You may want to purchase a lift if you are confronting a situation where someone has a long-term disability. If you have a temporary situation -- for example, someone is using a wheelchair because of a terminal illness -- you should look into leasing the wheelchair lift.

• 2

  Decide how much you want to spend. A wheelchair lift can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. More expensive models come with higher-end options such as the ability to operate the wheelchair lift from afar. Cheaper models may have fewer areas you can customize.

• 3

  Decide what kind of modifications you will need to make to your home or place of business. Think about where you want to place the wheelchair lift. Ideally you want to use the chair lift where it will remain unobtrusive, yet visible to those who need it. Some chair lifts require few modifications. Others may require at least some remodeling to best accommodate the lift.

• 4

  Decide if you want the wheelchair lift to be portable or part of the permanent structure of your residence or business. A portable wheelchair lift can cost more but can serve many different purposes and make life easier for the user. A more permanent model can be ideal for the businessperson who wants to be in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.