Wheelchair Ramp Cost: Aluminum, Wood, and Concrete Priced by the Foot

“We need a ramp for the house so Mom can get in and out in her wheelchair. How much is that going to run?”

How long a ramp do you need?

Measure the height from the ground to the top of the threshold. That’s the rise. At the widely used 1:12 slope, each inch of rise needs 12 inches of ramp:

The last column is just length times the per-foot range. Landings, turns, and site work add to it. A modular aluminum system’s starting price of about $1,000 sets a floor even for very short runs.

Materials: aluminum, wood, concrete

• Modular aluminum. Prefabricated sections bolt together on site. Installation is fast, there’s no rot, and the ramp can be taken apart, moved, resold, or rented. This is the usual choice for a short-term need, such as the months after a surgery.
• Wood. Built on site like a deck. It can be matched to the house and fits odd layouts, but it needs sealing and upkeep, and it can be slick when wet unless the surface is treated.
• Concrete. Permanent, durable, and the most involved to build: forming, pouring, and curing. It’s hard to change later.

Per-foot prices differ by material, so the $100–$250 range above is a starting budget, not a material price. Ask each installer for a per-foot price and a total, by material, on the same written quote.

Landings, thresholds, and rails

The 2010 ADA Standards for public buildings are the common reference. Homes don’t have to follow them, but they’re a sound starting point:

• Slope: no steeper than 1:12.
• Rise per run: no more than 30 inches before a level landing.
• Landings: at least 60 inches long at the top and bottom of each run, with more room where the ramp changes direction.
• Width: at least 36 inches clear between handrails.

The top landing has to give room to open the door while the chair is on a level surface. For a single raised threshold at a doorway, a small threshold ramp is a different, much smaller purchase. Threshold ramps sit in the same small-aid price band as grab bars and shower seats, generally $15–$150.

Permits vary by city

Some cities require a permit for a permanent ramp, especially a wood or concrete one attached to the house. Some also apply setback rules near the property line. Modular ramps are sometimes treated differently. HOAs may have their own rules. Call your city’s building department before you build, and ask the installer who pulls the permit.

Honest Downsides

• Ramps are longer than people expect. A 24-inch rise needs 24 feet of ramp, plus landings. On a small front yard, that can mean switchbacks, which add cost.
• Weather. Snow, ice, and wet leaves make any ramp slippery. Plan who will clear it, and ask about textured or grit surfaces.
• Looks. Aluminum looks functional, not residential. Wood blends in better but costs upkeep.
• Too steep is unusable. A shorter, steeper ramp saves money but may be too hard to push up or too fast coming down. Stick to the slope.

Rule of thumb: measure the rise in inches. That number in feet is your ramp length at 1:12. Multiply by $100–$250 for a first budget, then add landings.

See the threshold ramp cost guide.