How Much Does a Wheelchair Lift Cost in Boise?
If someone in your home uses a wheelchair, getting up a few porch steps or into the house from the garage can be the hardest part of the day. A wheelchair lift (also called a vertical platform lift or porch lift) solves that by raising the person, still seated in their chair, straight up to the door.
The short answer on cost: a wheelchair lift is usually far less than a home elevator, and it often costs less overall than a long ramp once you count the space, building work and snow clearing a ramp needs. The price depends mostly on how high it has to go and whether it sits indoors or out.
We don’t post Elevated Mobility Solutions prices here, because every entry is different. For a number that fits your home, request a consultation or call (208) 329-5006.
What drives the price of a wheelchair lift
1. Rise height
The rise is the vertical height from the ground to the top landing, not the length of the steps. A short porch rise costs the least. Taller rises, such as a raised deck or a garage-to-house entry with many steps, need a taller lift and may need extra safety walls or gates.
2. Indoor or outdoor
Outdoor lifts have to handle sun, rain, snow and freezing nights. That usually means weather-resistant finishes and controls. Ask how snow and ice will be cleared from the platform and landings in a Treasure Valley winter.
3. Open or enclosed
An open platform with side guard panels is the simplest and most affordable design. A fully enclosed lift, with walls and doors around the rider, adds weather protection and privacy but costs more and takes more space.
4. Platform size
The platform must fit the wheelchair, power chair or scooter, with room for footrests. A larger platform, for a big power chair or a caregiver riding along, costs more. Plan for the chair the person may need in a few years, not just today.
5. Gate and door layout
Straight-through (on one end, off the other) is usually simplest. A 90-degree exit or a same-side exit can solve a tight space but can change the price. Automatic gates or door openers add cost too.
6. Base, power and site work
Most outdoor lifts sit on a level concrete pad and need a nearby electrical outlet or circuit. Pouring a pad, moving a railing or changing the porch adds to the total. Ask what’s included in the quote and what you’d need a contractor for.
7. Battery backup
Some lifts keep working in a power outage. Ask whether backup can raise the platform as well as lower it.
8. Permits, service and warranty
Idaho’s state elevator safety law exempts conveyances in private residences (Idaho Code § 39-8606), but your city or county may still require permits for the concrete, electrical or porch work. Also ask what the warranty covers and what yearly service costs.
Wheelchair lift vs. ramp vs. elevator: cost at a glance
| Relative cost | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Ramp | Low for a small rise; rises quickly with height | A short rise with lots of yard space. A ramp needs about 1 foot of length for every inch of rise at a 1:12 slope (U.S. Access Board), plus landings. |
| Wheelchair (platform) lift | Moderate | Porches, decks, garage steps and split-level half-flights, where a ramp would be too long |
| Stair lift | Low to moderate | A rider who can move safely from the wheelchair to a seat |
| Home elevator | Highest | Reaching full floors of the home in a wheelchair |
Not sure whether a ramp or a lift fits? Read our ramp vs. wheelchair lift guide.
How to get an accurate quote
- Measure the rise roughly, or count the steps and measure one step’s height.
- Note the chair. The make and model of the wheelchair or scooter, or its width and length.
- Take photos of the steps, the door at the top and the ground at the bottom.
- Say who will ride, and whether a caregiver needs to ride along.
- Ask for an itemized quote with equipment, site work, electrical, permits and service listed separately.
Questions to ask any installer
- Which lift fits my rise, and why?
- Is the concrete pad and electrical work included?
- How does it handle snow, ice and freezing temperatures?
- Does it have battery backup, and does that raise as well as lower?
- Who pulls the permits, if any are needed?
- What does the warranty cover, and what does yearly service cost?
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a wheelchair lift?
Usually not for a home platform lift. Some veterans’ programs, state or local grants, or long-term care policies may help. Part of the cost may count as a deductible medical expense (see IRS Publication 502). Ask a tax professional. Paying for it? See grants, tax rules and funding options.
Is a wheelchair lift cheaper than a ramp?
For a very short rise, a ramp often costs less. As the rise grows, a ramp gets long fast and needs landings, railings and snow clearing, so a lift often becomes the more practical choice.
Can a wheelchair lift go outside in Idaho winters?
Yes, many lifts are built for outdoor use. Plan for clearing snow and ice, drainage at the base, and ask about a cover or canopy.
Can a wheelchair lift be used indoors?
Yes. Indoors, a lift can bridge a split-level half-flight, a sunken room or a garage step-up.
How is a wheelchair lift different from a home elevator?
A wheelchair lift covers a shorter rise, usually one level, with a simpler open platform. A home elevator moves between full floors in an enclosed cab.
Do you install outside Boise?
Yes. Our main service area is Boise and the Treasure Valley, plus roughly 250 miles around Boise. See areas we serve.
Get a wheelchair lift quote for your home
Every entry is different, and so is every price. For a clear, itemized quote in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Caldwell or anywhere in our service area, request a consultation or call (208) 329-5006.
Learn more about wheelchair and vertical platform lifts, or read stair lift cost and home elevator cost.