Norfolk County Wheelchair Ramp Installation: Key Information

Have you or your family member had a change in their mobility needs? Whether a disabled person lives at your residence or you have aging relatives moving in with you, they likely need a little help to get around. If your home in Norfolk County isn't wheelchair accessible, it can be stressful for you and your family members. Installation of wheelchair ramps, a continuous handrail, a non-slip surface in the bathroom and other adjustments might drastically improve the quality of life for mobility challenged individuals.

Naturally, if this is a lifestyle change for you, you'll have many questions. Namely, you may be wondering if you need to move to a new house, or if your current residence can be made more accessible.

Often, homeowners come to us with this concern in mind. And we always let them know that more often than not, your current home can be made completely accessible with just a few changes—such as installing a wheelchair ramp in your Norfolk County home. This update will enable you to stay in your beloved home, and maintain as much normalcy as possible during this changing time. You'll be able to have peace of mind knowing that your accessibility challenged loved one will be able to move around comfortably.

Independence is important for all people, especially those that have mobility issues. In homes that are not accessible, it can be challenging to complete basic tasks. Getting in and out of the house safely is a fundamental right—not to mention, a big safety concern. With a few simple transformations, installed by the team of experts at Mr. Handyman of Central - Eastern Norfolk County & S.Shore, you or your loved one will have the freedom you need to live a satisfying life.

Wheelchair ramp installation in Norfolk County isn't just for residences, either. If you own a commercial property and want to make it wheelchair accessible, then our Norfolk County handyman experts can help with that too. It's important that your business is accessible to all people—in fact, there are even rules you need to know about before installing a handicap ramp at your place of business.

To help you gain a better understanding about what you need to know regarding Norfolk County wheelchair ramp installation services, our team of professionals have put together the following guide. In it you'll find answers to commonly asked questions, and useful information that will help you feel confident about installing a wheelchair ramp in Norfolk County.

Our team has significant experience when it comes to Norfolk County wheelchair ramp installation, so you can have peace of mind that we'll always deliver the highest standards of workmanship while providing truly outstanding customer service.

Is it Worth it to Install a Wheelchair Ramp in Norfolk County?

Of course! It may seem like a big project, but when your home is properly outfitted for a person with mobility needs, you give them the gift of freedom and independence. No one should feel trapped in their own home. There are numerous benefits to adding a wheelchair ramp to your Norfolk County home or commercial property— as we'll dive into below. However, the added accessibility primarily gives those with reduced mobility greater freedom. It provides greater choice in how they go about their lives, and reduces the risk of being uncomfortable or unsafe.

Better Mobility

Being able to move about freely is the most obvious advantage of installing a wheelchair ramp in your Norfolk County home. Giving yourself or your loved one significantly increased freedom of movement is paramount to living a satisfying life. These devices are also helpful for those who aren't in a wheelchair, but have difficulty using the stairs. For instance, if you have loved ones who are seniors and not able to move as they did before, or individuals who were injured in a work accident, the increased ease of movement can make a big difference to their quality of life.

If you're thinking of aging in place and know mobility will be a concern because of your family history, then why not be proactive? With the right installation, you'll feel much better knowing that anyone with reduced mobility can easily get in and out of your Norfolk County home.

Increased Independence

No one should feel like they're trapped in their own home. Freedom of movement is essential for providing a sense of independence, confidence and happiness. These qualities are compromised when you or a loved one can't get in and out of the house with ease. Simple tasks like buying groceries or stepping out for a bit of fresh air might feel impossible without a wheelchair ramp. Freedom of movement is critical for enjoying a well-lived life. With our Norfolk County wheelchair ramp installation services, you and/or your loved ones will remain independent regardless of your mobility.

Safety is Paramount

Although it's unpleasant to think about, consider what would happen if a fire broke out in your home while your disabled loved one was alone—and they didn't have a way to safely get out of the house. Even if you're around to help most of the time, or you employ a caregiver, it's essential that your disabled loved one can move about freely. An accessibility ramp is essential for ensuring you or your loved ones’ safety in the event of an emergency. Often, individuals who have mobility challenges move at a slower pace. You need to prepare for this by ensuring they have easy and safe access to an exit. They need to be able to get out of the house on their own in the event disaster strikes while the primary caregiver is out running errands or unable to provide help.

Greater Convenience for All

The entire point of a wheelchair ramp in Norfolk County is to make life easier for those who have reduced mobility. However, this change can actually benefit the entire household—and more. Family, friends, care givers, healthcare workers and even furniture movers and laborers will benefit if you have a house ramp. Not to mention, slopes are generally easier on the joints, which may help individuals who can comfortably use stairs, but have hip, knee or back pain.

ADA Compliance for Commercial Properties

If you're a business owner with a commercial property that is open to the public, you are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accessibility accommodations for disabled individuals. These requirements include accessible ramps for wheelchair users. Many business owners don't realize this, especially if they operate out of an older building that was not previously made to be accessible.

ADA-compliant ramps need to have a 1:12 vertical rise or slope. This means it sits at about a five-degree incline. Essentially, it needs to be comfortable for a range of mobility devices, including chairs and extending to walkers and scooters. If you need help to install accessibility modifications at your business or workplace—including continuous handrails and other handrail options—, then look no further than the experts at Mr. Handyman of Central - Eastern Norfolk County & S.Shore. We always provide professional service.

What is the Proper Slope for a Norfolk County Wheelchair Ramp?

For commercial properties or a public space (such as a library or community center), the standard vertical rise is a ratio of 1:12 in inches. To break this down further, that means if an obstacle’s height is one inch, the slope's length will need to be 12 inches. This creates a gentle incline of roughly five degrees. Such an incline is ideal for wheelchair, motorized scooter and walker users to maneuver up and down.

However, the rules are not the same for residential properties—to accommodate for the fact that residential properties may need a little creativity to properly install the device. At a private residence, you can install a structure with a maximum rise of 1:4 in inches, which is roughly a 15-degree incline. If you have limited space it can be tempting to install such a steep degree angle. However, we don't recommend going for a slope with such a steep rise. Rather, a ramp of around 10-degrees, at a 1:6 ratio, is a lot safer and more comfortable for individuals with mobility challenges.

What if My Property is Too Small for a Wheelchair Ramp?

At a ratio of 1:6, the resulting incline is more than 20-feet long. Naturally, not all Norfolk County homeowners have access to this much space at their residences. But don't feel disheartened that you won't be able to make your property accessible! There are many ways to work around small spaces. Ramps do not have to move in a straight line. Instead, they can utilize a switchback to save space—as long as there is enough room for disabled individuals to pivot and turn safely. By having the structure zig zag, you can install a Norfolk County wheelchair ramp in almost any space.

And the options don't end there. If your front entrance is definitely too tight to install a slop, even using a switchback, you may be able to attach it to a side or back entrance. Even if you feel fairly certain there is no hope of installing a wheelchair ramp on your Norfolk County property, please don't hesitate to give us a call. Remember, we are the experts. Our team of service professionals will be able to look at your property and see opportunities that you don't. We're passionate about making life easier for individuals with mobility issues. We will find a way to make it happen.

What About Getting Over the Threshold?

Stairs are not the only challenge for individuals facing mobility challenges. Even a basic threshold—the area where your outdoor entrance meets the indoors—could be a challenge for wheelchair, walker and cane users. This follows for indoor thresholds as well. Sometimes different rooms have tricky transitions, especially if you have different types of flooring installed. The solution is simple: Ask your Norfolk County handyman expert at Mr. Handyman to build a gentle ramp. This will make getting in and out, and moving about the house, much easier.

What Kind of Wheelchair Ramp is Best?

There are many different types and styles available. However, there are a few different factors that will dictate what model is best for your residential or commercial property. For instance, you should carefully consider you or your loved one's mobility requirements, the location and layout of the building and your personal preferences—including color choice.

Common Options Include:

Permanent wheelchair ramps, generally constructed of wood or concrete.
A portable ramp without railings that can be folded up for easy storage when not in use; these are traditionally made out of aluminum
Modular ramps, which can be either temporary or permanent installations and are typically made out of aluminum or steel
Small ramps for interior or exterior entrances, usually with a maximum incline of six inches
Non-slip surfaces, which go on-top of metal or wooden ramps to avoid slips and falls

How Else Can I Make My Norfolk County Home More Accessible?

While wheelchair ramp installation is essential for making your home safer and more comfortable for individuals with mobility challenges, there are many other ways you can improve you your or loved ones freedom of movement, including:

Widening doorways for ease of movement
Upgrading or relocating outdoor light fixtures for better visibility
Lowering or adding a peephole in the door, so it can be used from a seated position
Lowering cupboards, countertops and vanities for ease of access
Removing cupboards and storage under sinks for easier access
Repairing wobbly handrails or constructing new ones
Changing traditional door handles to levers to make them easier to operate
Tilting bathroom mirrors for better visibility, changing tubs into walk-in showers with seats and other potential changes you can make with a professional bathroom remodel.

Do You Need Norfolk County Wheelchair Ramp Installation Services?

Whether you're in Norfolk County or a nearby community such as Milton or Quincy, you can count on our expert handyman team to provide outstanding workmanship and customer service. Our team will always strive to make your life, or your loved one's life, safer, more comfortable and more independent. We pride ourselves on creating expert solutions for all individuals living with reduced mobility.

To get started today, we invite you to give us a call at 508-465-2092 . We look forward to hearing from you and helping with your accessibility needs!