How To Build a Handicap Ramp for Your Wheelchair or Scooter

The right ramp can make life much easier. The wrong ramp can make your days more difficult, and in the worst case scenario, it can be dangerous. In order to build a handicap ramp that is safe and secure, understanding the guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can help.

Initial Points to Ponder on Handicap Ramps

When you are ready for a handicap ramp, consider your options carefully before making a decision. Some choose to have a ramp built permanently onto the side or back of their home, only to find that the materials they want to use cost much more than they bargained for. Others will choose to build a ramp only to find that the space they have isn’t enough for the ramp they really want.

Start by looking at the cost of materials. A wooden ramp might be more attractive than an aluminum one, but it could also cost much more. A concrete ramp is permanent and can be less expensive, but it might require long-term maintenance that can be tough to handle or afford.

Sturdy and safe materials are definitely a must, and sometimes they can be quite affordable. For instance, steel mesh is a popular option, not only for the affordability but also for the ease of cleaning and safety—snow and rain slip right through the mesh, leaving a clean surface with no slip hazards.

Look at the cost of labor as well—building a handicap ramp can be a serious construction project. An enterprising do-it-yourselfer can learn how to build a handicap ramp with some careful research, or they could opt for a kit that makes building easier. However, for long ramps that are complex or use expensive materials, it might be best to hire a contractor for the job. Search around to find one that offers affordable rates.

Before you purchase any materials or set up a time to meet that contractor, check out the code requirements for your particular area. Local ordinances, rules set forth by housing associations or building codes in your area can prevent you from building a ramp in a certain place. Check into permits and permissions required before you proceed.  

How to Build a Handicap Ramp to Code

To ensure that your handicap ramp meets the minimum safety standards set forth by the ADA, keep these points in mind:

• For every inch of vertical rise, you must have 12 inches in length. That often equates to a longer ramp than most people expected. For example, if your front door is three feet from the ground, your handicap ramp must be at least 36 feet long. That is the minimum for safety standards. However, if you can build the ramp even longer than that, it would offer more stability.
• You might not have room for a ramp of that length on your property. In that case, a switchback may be used. A switchback is a break in the ramp where a landing is built, thus allowing the ramp to change direction to meet the ADA rise-and-run requirement. Each landing must be at least 60 inches in width.
• Speaking of width, the wheelchair ramp itself must be no less than three feet wide at any point.
• The surface of the ramp must be hard and regular, with no trip hazards or obstacles. Flat boards or aluminum runners are good examples of materials that are fine to use. Cobblestone, however, is irregular and thus does not meet the standard—no matter how pretty it might be.
• Slip-resistant surfaces are a must. This can be achieved with slip-proof tape, specially-designed tarps or other methods that have been tested by many wheelchair users over the years.
• Finally, railings are required for the entire length of the wheelchair ramp. These can be made of any material, as long as they are easy to grab by someone in a standard wheelchair. If a child will be using the wheelchair ramp, there must be a second set of railings at a convenient height for them.

Though the safety standards set forth by the ADA are enforced for public buildings, they might not be enforced for residences. However, your local codes might require you to adhere to the rules anyway. Besides that, if you are planning on selling your home in the near future, a handicap ramp built to ADA specifications can be a nice selling point.

The Bottom Line

A ramp that is too steep can send your wheelchair careening out of control. A ramp that has a slippery slope can mean a crash at the bottom, and that can never be a good thing. A ramp without railings, those that use sub-par materials or ramps that have been built without attention to code can lead to more trouble than they are worth in the long run. When it comes to how to build a handicap ramp, the bottom line is simple: Safety first!