During your home ramp evaluation, our evaluator will discuss your needs, take measurements and draw up a layout for the best and safest fit for your home.

If our evaluator sees that the area where you would prefer your ramp cannot accommodate it, they will look at any other doors to your home that can fit a ramp.

All our evaluators have received thorough practical training at the National Ramp Training Center. While these evaluators may have experience in other home modifications, they will only give you an evaluation on a ramp for your home during this meeting. You can expect these assessors to arrive in trucks with their local business branding, but they will have their National Ramp-issued identification and wear the official National Ramp uniform.

Getting the Most From Your National Ramp Assessment

Your ramp evaluation is an important step in getting what you need to improve mobility around your home. We have compiled this list on preparing for your National Ramp assessment to help ensure it provides the information and results you need.

1. Take Time to Think of What You Need

Before the National Ramp dealer visits your residence, understand what you need. Here are several questions to consider before we evaluate your home:

Where do you require your ramp to begin?
Where do you require the ramp to end?
Are there any barriers or obstacles to account for prior to the ramp installation?
Do you require permission from the homeowners association or a landlord?
Who else will make use of the ramp?
What mobility device do you use or plan on using — a motorized device, manual wheelchair or other mobility equipment? Will this change in the future?
Are you willing to remove existing railings, flower beds or bushes to ensure there is space for the ramp?
Is there more than one door the ramp can connect to?

The answers to these questions will assist the dealer in designing a ramp that will suit your needs.

2. Consider the Other Residents

You may find that one home has a person who requires a mobility device and a ramp, while others have an endurance condition and would benefit from one step to get into the house. You’ll want to discuss these requirements with the evaluator so they can find a solution that works for all residents.

Be sure that the ramp will not interfere with shared entrances, gas meters and awnings, and that it will still allow access to HVAC, plumbing or other resources.

3. Get the Necessary Permission

To make the evaluation and installation of your ramp as smooth as possible, we recommend getting explicit approval from all necessary parties.

Getting permission is essential if you live in a development managed by a homeowners association (HOA) or rent your home. Contact landlords, property managers, HOA Boards or any relevant managing body before installing a ramp.

You may need a permit from your local municipality to ensure your ramp complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. For example, your ramp may need vertical picket railings or have to be a certain distance from the sidewalk.

Permits and permission are your responsibility, and you can save plenty of time if you manage them before your ramp evaluation appointment.

Talk to a Ramp Specialist now 877-748-5588

4. Think of the Ramp Styles You Prefer

National Ramp has four ramp styles, each with a modular design. Modular designs consist of several pieces that fit together and are easy to assemble.

These ramp styles are all highly practical and allow for convenient installation at a residence:

Breeze System™: An aluminum ramp that requires no maintenance, even in snowy conditions. This style remains rust and corrosion-free for life.
Liberty Series™: An aluminum ramp that requires little maintenance. It also offers a corrosion and rust-free guarantee.
Victory Series™: An attractive pressure-treated wood ramp that will stay in top condition with routine sealing and painting.
Triumph Series™: A steel ramp with open-mesh decking to let snow and rain filter through. Steel ramps require some attention to prevent rusting.

The main difference between the four styles concerns their maintenance schedules and needs. If you or someone at your home needs a minimal-maintenance solution, we recommend the Liberty Series™ or Breeze Series™ ramps.

5. Know What to Expect Next

Your ramp installation timeline may vary depending on the materials used, whether customization is required and if any obstacles are present. Feel free to ask your National Ramp dealer questions about lead times.