Wheelchair Ramp Installation in Tacoma That's Built to Last — and Funded to Happen

Getting in and out of your home shouldn't require a workaround. We design and build wheelchair ramps for Tacoma homeowners and renters that meet ADA slope guidelines, pass Pierce County inspection, and hold up through years of PNW weather — and as a DSHS-authorized provider, we can help you access Medicaid-waiver funding that may cover the full cost of your ramp.

Why Wheelchair Ramp Installation Requires More Than a Trip to the Hardware Store

A wheelchair ramp looks simple. The engineering behind a safe, code-compliant one is not. The slope has to be gradual enough for independent use — ADA guidelines call for a 1:12 ratio, meaning one inch of rise for every twelve inches of ramp length. A standard two-step entry with an eight-inch rise requires a ramp that's at least eight feet long before you account for landings, handrails, and surface texture.

 

Pierce County inspectors enforce these standards. A ramp built without a permit or without meeting the rise-to-run ratio can be flagged and required to come down. We pull the permits, handle the inspection, and build to spec the first time.

DSHS Funding Can Cover Your Ramp — Here's What That Means

Banah Home Services is an authorized provider under Washington State's DSHS Home and Community Services program. That authorization matters because it's the pathway for Medicaid-waiver clients to have accessibility modifications — including wheelchair ramps — covered at low or no out-of-pocket cost.

 

If you or a family member receives DSHS services, or if you're working with a case manager through the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), we can work directly within that process. We understand the documentation requirements, the approval workflow, and what the program will and won't cover. You don't need to navigate that alone.

Ramp Types We Build for Tacoma Homes

Every home entry is different, and the right ramp solution depends on your rise height, available space, foundation type, and whether the installation needs to be permanent or removable. We assess all of it before we recommend anything.

Pressure-Treated Wood Ramps

Wood ramps are the most common permanent solution for residential entries in Pierce County. We build with pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact, use non-slip decking surfaces, and install continuous handrails on both sides where required. Wood integrates naturally with existing porches and siding, and it can be painted or stained to match your home's exterior.

Aluminum Modular Ramp Systems

Modular aluminum ramps are faster to install and fully removable — a practical choice for renters, for homeowners who may need to reconfigure the ramp later, or for situations where a permanent structure isn't feasible. They're lightweight, rust-resistant, and carry significant load ratings. We size and configure the system to your entry and install it level and secure.

Threshold and Portable Ramps

For smaller transitions — a single step, a raised threshold, or a vehicle ramp — we can supply and install threshold ramps that eliminate the barrier without requiring a full ramp structure. These are often the right answer for interior doorways or low-rise entries where a full ramp would be disproportionate to the problem.

Ramps with Covered Landings

In the Pacific Northwest, an uncovered ramp surface can become a slip hazard from October through April. For permanent installations, we can extend the ramp build to include a covered landing or integrate the ramp under an existing overhang. This is a detail that matters in Tacoma's climate and one that most ramp quotes leave out entirely.

Handrail-Only Additions

Not every entry needs a ramp. Some homeowners need continuous, graspable handrails on existing steps to meet their mobility needs or satisfy a DSHS modification order. We install handrails to ADA graspability standards — 1¼ to 2 inches in diameter, continuous along the full stair run — as a standalone scope when that's all the situation calls for.

What Goes Into Every Ramp We Build

Our process for wheelchair ramp installation follows the same documentation and communication standards we apply to every project:

 

  • Site assessment with measurements, photos, and slope calculation before any proposal is written
  • Permit application filed with Pierce County where required
  • Daily photo documentation through CompanyCam so you have a visual record of every stage
  • ADA-compliant slope, landing dimensions, and handrail specifications on every permanent build
  • Final walkthrough and inspection coordination before we call the job complete

 

We don't subcontract ramp builds to a separate crew. The same team that handles your assessment builds your ramp.

Who We Build Ramps For in Pierce County

Our wheelchair ramp clients come from a range of situations, and we've built ramps across Tacoma's neighborhoods and throughout the broader Pierce County area.

 

We work with:

 

  • Homeowners preparing for a family member's return from a rehabilitation facility or hospital
  • Seniors aging in place who need a permanent, low-maintenance entry solution
  • DSHS clients and Medicaid-waiver recipients whose case manager has identified a ramp as a required modification
  • Veterans with service-connected mobility disabilities — we offer a military discount and understand the VA and DSHS funding landscape
  • Families of individuals with permanent mobility disabilities who need a durable, code-compliant installation

 

If you're in Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, Fircrest, or anywhere else in Pierce County, we serve your area.

Wheelchair Ramp FAQs

  • Does a wheelchair ramp in Tacoma require a building permit?

    It depends on the size and permanence of the installation. Permanent ramps that are structurally attached to the home typically require a permit from Pierce County. Modular and threshold ramps generally do not. We assess permit requirements at the time of your site visit and handle the application when one is needed.

  • How long does it take to build a wheelchair ramp?

    A straightforward wood or modular ramp installation typically takes one to two days once materials are on-site. Larger builds with covered landings or custom configurations may take longer. We give you a specific timeline in writing before work begins.

  • Can DSHS pay for my wheelchair ramp in Washington State?

    Yes, in many cases. Washington's DSHS Home and Community Services program, through Medicaid waiver funding, can cover the cost of accessibility modifications including wheelchair ramps for eligible clients. As a DSHS-authorized provider, we work directly within that approval process. Contact us or speak with your DSHS case manager to confirm your eligibility.

  • What slope is required for a wheelchair ramp to be ADA compliant?

    The ADA recommends a maximum slope of 1:12 — one inch of vertical rise for every twelve inches of horizontal ramp length. For a standard two-step entry with roughly eight inches of total rise, that means a ramp run of at least eight feet, plus landings at the top and bottom. We calculate this precisely during your site assessment.

  • Do you build wheelchair ramps for renters or just homeowners?

    We build for both. Renters who need a modular or removable ramp system can have one installed without permanent modification to the property. In some cases, DSHS funding is available to renters as well as homeowners — your case manager can confirm what applies to your situation.

Ready to Get Your Ramp Built Right?

Whether you're navigating DSHS approval, paying out of pocket, or just trying to figure out what your entry actually needs, the first step is a site assessment. We come out, take measurements, document the existing conditions, and give you a clear proposal — no pressure, no commission-based upsell, no guesswork.

 

Banah Home Services has built wheelchair ramps for families across Tacoma and Pierce County. We're veteran-owned, DSHS-authorized, and ready to get to work.