Inclined platform wheelchair lifts
Take the wheelchair up the stairs, on a platform that folds away.
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An inclined platform lift runs on a rail along the staircase like a stair lift, but carries a fold-down platform big enough for a wheelchair.
- Free in-home consultation, no obligation
- Home elevators, stair lifts and platform lifts
- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay and Naples
The short answer
An inclined platform lift, sometimes called a wheelchair stair lift, costs $5,000 to $20,000 installed according to Fixr, with price driven by the staircase type and length. It needs a staircase wide enough for the folded platform and clear landings at the top and bottom.
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Who this is for
Inclined platform lifts suit wheelchair users in homes where there is no space for a vertical lift or elevator, but the staircase is wide enough to carry a platform.
Typical project sizes
Fixr says platform stair lifts are fitted to both straight and curved staircases and that costs vary greatly with the staircase type and length.
Does your staircase suit an inclined platform lift?
- Width: the folded platform takes up part of the stair, so measure what is left for others
- Landings: there must be room to roll on and off at each end
- Structure: the rail may need fixing to the wall or to posts
- Use by others: the platform should fold up when not in use
Frequently asked questions
Is an inclined lift cheaper than a home elevator?
Usually. Fixr gives $5,000 to $20,000 for platform stair lifts, compared with $35,000 to $60,000 for most home elevators.
Can it go round a corner?
Some can. Fixr says platform stair lifts fit both straight and curved staircases, with curved ones costing more.
Does it need a permit?
Florida's elevator law does not cover inclined wheelchair lifts in private residences. Your city or county may still require building or electrical permits.
Sources
- Stairlift Installation Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Home Elevator Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Florida Statutes Chapter 399, Elevator Safety, Florida Legislature. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Wheelchair Ramp Installation Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Section R321 Elevators and Platform Lifts (UpCodes copy), UpCodes. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NFIP Technical Bulletin 4: Elevator Installation for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (June 2019), FEMA. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed October 28, 2026.
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