My FIL is coming home in a wheelchair in 4 days. My husb. wants to build a ramp for him. But do you think it's reasonable to get a portable one for now? Can we get one in a few days? I read that to build one it is to be 1 ft long for each inch of height (like, if porch is 24" high then ramp should be 24 ft). Can you tell me anything else? Does he need a permit to build? I wonder if it has to be real good, lasting & 'beautiful', he might use a walker in awhile. He can use a walker a little bit but someone must be with him in case he falls backwards. As a matter of fact, he lives alone. My husb. is going to stay with him for the 1st week.

Lor, is his condition temporary or permanent? Is the ramp for long-term or short-term use? Is your FIL a vet or a Lion, or a member of the Elks? Does he expect to remain in this home for a number of years yet to come? Will he go on living independently?

Start a list of all the questions you can answer and depending on your answers to those questions, the next steps will get clearer to you.

A couple of my friends in MI had to have building permits to add wood ramps to their deckworks. I think it may vary by location. Home improvement stores have designs and estimates on file in the lumber/building areas.

His safety should always be the top priority!

Your local mobility company may offer rentals. You could call to check that if he's not staying long and you have no need for a permanent structure. We needed permits here in Illinois to build wood ramps.

We have two sets of portable ramps, one 7 foot, one 9 foot that we bought. I found the 7 foot ramp on Ebay for about $240 and they work well. We have to help Jim up sometimes due to the pitch but overall they do the job when we have to go somewhere stairs are. The 9 foot ramps came from a mobility store but they were far more expensive, I think about $800 but they are much more sturdy.

And yes you are right. You must have a 1 foot pitch for every inch your structure is, in your case the porch is 24 inches. Mine was 18", so my ramp is 18'.

Sandy C. this sounds like what we have found out. And I think as far as needing a permit and all that, it would depend on the regulations as to where they live. And if it's permanent or not.

eBay is a good idea. We just made a portable ramp for my three wheel scooter and it's not that long because the scooter is powered. It will be taken away in the winter. It is a real simple ramp.

Thankyou guys. AfterMyNap, thanks for telling me to start a list of questions, thats a good idea. I think my husb wants his dad to have a kinda luxurious looking ramp but his condition is likely just temporary (he will soon use a walker then maybe a cane we think). He is 80 yrs old too.
But he does have to learn how to use it himself (no one to push him) because he lives alone.

Something else...my hubby said he is not going to get a building permit cuz it will "just be in the backyard".

This was very helpful to me. My husband is planning to build a ramp. But I hadn't even thought about there being portable ramps. That sounds like it might be a more practical idea.
Thanks!

We had a redwood ramp leading to our front door. It widens out at the door so its almost like a small deck. I think Sandy has a ramp that opens into a deck...not sure. We have a portable one for when we go to see his folks. They just made it out of plywood and removable so they can put it away after we go home. We also have a set of portable ones the kinda telescope out to fit up over at least three steps. We keep this one at our best friends home so we can just put it up and roll on in.

I just google everything...you never know what you might find. Also when we built the ramp we did look into what supplies needed to be used to bring it to code. Not building code but to be able to handle the weight of his scooter and him. A place here in Utah called Options for Independent Living helped us to work out the design.

Good luck...you have been given some pretty good advice...

I am planning to build my wife a wheelchair ramp. The problem is that I can't find any good plans. On a positive note...

Those of you building ramps might be interested in a link I found. You can probably find it by Googling adaag.htm#4.8 . Since I haven't done 10 posts to this forum I can't add the entire link. The link gives the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility giudelines for ramps.

Have a great day.

I'm not sure, but think rule is 1 foot long for every inch of height total. I have what I affectionately (?) call Ramp of Death. DH built and it is way steep and not ADA compliant at all (looks good off deck though). And ends 6 feet from built in pool!!!!!!

Home Depot and Menards. Just measure your the height and what width you want and take that to them. They can print up exactly what supplies you need, how much it would cost and how to do it. Good luck, I am sure your wife will love it. We hired a handyman for the job rather than hiring out of the "box" store. It was cheaper that way if you don't want to do it yourself.