How much does a wheelchair ramp cost?
Published prices by type, an estimate for your height, and what installation includes. Most home ramps land between $1,000 and $6,000.
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Most home wheelchair ramps cost $1,000 to $6,000 installed. Where you land in that range depends almost entirely on one number: how high the ramp has to climb. Every inch of rise adds a foot of ramp at the ADA slope, and installed ramps are priced by the foot.
| Type | Typical price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold ramp | $50 to $450 | A door sill or a lip of a few inches |
| Portable folding ramp | $175 to $1,100 | One or two steps, up to about 10 feet |
| Aluminum modular, installed | $130 to $225 per foot; about $1,000 minimum | Most porches and entries; removable and resellable |
| Wood, built on site | $100 to $250 per foot; $1,000 to $10,000 total | Matching a deck; needs upkeep |
| Concrete | $200 to $250 per foot; $2,000 to $10,000 or more | Permanent ramps; often a minimum delivery charge |
| Rental | $80 to $500 a month, plus install and removal fees | Short term needs; see rental |
What a ramp costs for your height
The table below turns the published aluminum price of $130 to $225 per foot into a rough budget for common heights, using the ADA slope of one foot of ramp per inch of rise. Three steps is usually 18 to 24 inches. Measure yours, then use the ramp calculator for the exact length.
| Rise | Ramp at 1:12 | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| 6 inches | 6 ft | About $1,000, the usual minimum; a portable ramp may do for $300 to $900 |
| 12 inches | 12 ft | $1,560 to $2,700 |
| 18 inches | 18 ft | $2,340 to $4,050 |
| 24 inches | 24 ft | $3,120 to $5,400 |
| 30 inches | 30 ft | $3,900 to $6,750 |
| 36 inches | 36 ft plus a landing | $4,680 to $8,100, plus the landing |
These are our estimates from published per foot prices, not quotes. As a check, National Ramp prices a 17 foot aluminum ramp with a platform at around $3,600, which sits inside the 18 inch row. Above 30 inches of rise the ramp needs a level landing partway up, and the extra platform and the turn it usually brings push the price up.
Is installation included?
For modular aluminum, yes, almost always. Dealers quote the ramp, the landings and the installation as one price, and none of the sources we checked publishes a separate labor rate. Installation is usually quick, because the sections bolt together and stand on adjustable legs with no concrete.
Portable and threshold ramps need no installation at all. Wood and concrete ramps are built on site, so labor is most of the cost, and the quote should also cover permits, excavation and handrails. Ask for each of those as a separate line.
What pushes the price up
- Turns and landings. An L shape or a switchback needs a 60 by 60 inch landing at each turn. Platforms cost more per foot than ramp sections.
- Sloping or soft ground. Legs and footings have to reach level ground, and a yard that falls away from the house adds length.
- Permits. Many towns require one for a permanent ramp attached to the house. Ask the installer whether the fee is in the quote.
- Concrete minimums. A small concrete job still pays for a full truck. One Denver dealer cites $2,000 just for the mixer to arrive.
- Handrails. Required on both sides of any run that rises more than 6 inches. They are usually included on aluminum systems and often priced extra on wood.
Aluminum, wood or concrete?
For most homes, aluminum modular is the practical choice. It goes in within a day, needs no maintenance, and can be removed, reconfigured or resold when needs change. Used aluminum ramps are a real market, which also makes them worth checking if budget is tight.
Wood can look better against a wooden porch, but it needs sealing, gets slippery when wet, and ages. Concrete is the most permanent and the hardest to undo, and it makes most sense when the ramp is part of a larger renovation. The published price ranges overlap so much that the choice usually comes down to how long the ramp is needed.
Rent or buy?
If the ramp is for recovery after surgery or a few months of need, renting can be cheaper. Rental rent is charged by the foot every month, and installation and removal fees come on top. Past six to nine months, buying usually wins. The rental guide works through the numbers.
Who pays, and the tax angle
Original Medicare does not pay for ramps. VA grants, state Medicaid waivers, USDA home repair grants and local programs sometimes do; see who pays for a stair lift or ramp for amounts and rules.
If you pay yourself, the IRS lists building entrance or exit ramps among home changes for a disability that can count as a deductible medical expense, generally in full because they do not add to the value of the home. That only helps if you itemize and your medical costs pass the threshold, so check IRS Publication 502 (opens in a new tab) or a tax preparer before counting on it.
Getting a fair quote
- Measure the rise first, and know the length you need before anyone visits.
- Get at least two quotes, and compare the price per foot including landings.
- Ask whether permits, handrails and removal at the end are included.
- For modular aluminum, ask whether the ramp can be bought back or resold later.
Find installers near you in our directory.
Prices are from dealers and cost guides that publish figures: HomeGuide (opens in a new tab) for per foot prices by material, threshold, folding and rental ranges; National Ramp (opens in a new tab) for aluminum at $130 to $225 per foot and the 17 foot example; Lifeway Mobility (opens in a new tab) for portable, threshold, wood and concrete ranges and the Denver concrete minimum; Mr. Handyman (opens in a new tab) for installed totals by material; and 101 Mobility (opens in a new tab) for the $1,000 starting price and monthly rental. Most of these sources sell ramps. Prices checked October 2026.