Temporary access to house via ramp

Moel · 2025-11-16T23:35:33+00:00

looking for some pragmatic advice here. My parent’s mobility has declined to the point they can only leave the house in their wheelchair. I’ve spent a lot of time and £££ getting a ramp fitted at their property to accommodate this. It’s a semi-permanent one. Problem is at my house. Parent only comes on Xmas day so I’m looking for a solution that doesn’t cost hundreds and isn’t permanent or semi permanent. I was thinking about loading ramps as to get a specific wheelchair telescopic ramp or suitcase ramp in the length needed would be very expensive. I’m scanning for second hand ones and no joy. Weight wise loading ramps are ok. I guess they aren’t recommended for wheelchairs as there is no groove either side so the chair could conceivably slip off. My parent can’t push themselves so there would be two people assisting. Has anyone used these for a wheelchair or does anyone have any alternative ideas?

Original poster

Moel · 10/01/2026 10:01

Returning to update my thread; I ended up buying this ramp:Telescopic ramp

it was in budget and I chose it as the photo shows it being used to get an electric wheelchair into a car so I thought it would be ok with 3 high steps to the house.

good news - it did work. Other positive it is very slim, and the storage bag pops neatly
in a tiny space. Negatives are, it felt like we pushed this to the limit with my parent. We couldn’t go backwards as the rear brake wheels caught and forwards felt quite hairy. There is no way I could do this alone. It took 3 adults and a child to manage the chair going down/up. If the person in the wheelchair is light then you would probably find it easier. The other negatives are that it is hard to unfold and the finishing is poor with many sharp edges to cut you as you grapple with it. So, it was a solution for a one off home use but not for long term.

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Original poster

Moel · 18/11/2025 10:24

margegunderson · 17/11/2025 22:56

Scaffolding planks?

I would totally do this if I had some! For a one off as long as it isn’t utterly reckless, I would improvise.

I have mailed the company shared earlier - the ramp shows as trade and doesn’t pop up under domestic so I need to find out what the deal is. I’m also suspicious of the low price ((£25 with VAT) for a week as another company has one at £240 a week!

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Original poster

Moel · 18/11/2025 10:20

Lougle · 17/11/2025 22:39

https://www.therange.co.uk/p/2-pack-heavy-duty-rubber-curb-ramp/m9797111?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22769468773-&utm_content=-&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22765783118&gbraid=0AAAAADFuktzImoJgmu3ONdbxwaDpE8bPB&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOYIFO__8a4xGkJbk6rNtaDRoSilS1eOOESsTc1sNxSSe4IMElh4d1IaAgPSEALw_wcB#5810911

An example, but depending on how high your steps are, this sort of thing is cheap and chips and would work.

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This is why I love Mumsnet - I would never have thought of the Range! They seem to have a range of aids (no pun intended).

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Original poster

Moel · 18/11/2025 10:18

Seeingadistance · 17/11/2025 22:30

Any churches near you which might be able to help? Especially if they're older or listed buildings which can't install a permanent ramp. My church has folding ramps which we would be happy to lend out when we weren't using them.

Yes, I could do a Facebook shoutout. The church just had a permanent ramp installed. Sadly, these items are sometimes bought then not used for long someone might have one lurking in a garage…

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margegunderson · 17/11/2025 22:56

Scaffolding planks?

Lougle · 17/11/2025 22:39

Moel · 17/11/2025 08:38

@Puffins84 thanks - that’s outside of budget for a one off use. I’m really looking for solutions that are one hundred or under.

https://www.therange.co.uk/p/2-pack-heavy-duty-rubber-curb-ramp/m9797111?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22769468773-&utm_content=-&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22765783118&gbraid=0AAAAADFuktzImoJgmu3ONdbxwaDpE8bPB&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOYIFO__8a4xGkJbk6rNtaDRoSilS1eOOESsTc1sNxSSe4IMElh4d1IaAgPSEALw_wcB#5810911

An example, but depending on how high your steps are, this sort of thing is cheap and chips and would work.

Seeingadistance · 17/11/2025 22:30

Any churches near you which might be able to help? Especially if they're older or listed buildings which can't install a permanent ramp. My church has folding ramps which we would be happy to lend out when we weren't using them.

Shepherdswarning · 17/11/2025 13:11

It’s so hard. My dad is 13 stone too, and 6 foot 3, and there is no way DH or I could have got him up. Weight lifting teens were needed! Ugh it’s tough…
Building rental idea is brilliant tho! Do avoid narrow ramps…

Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 12:33

PinkFootstool · 17/11/2025 08:42

How mobile is your relative? Could they be physically assisted up the two steps ie carried, helped to climb them etc?

ETA - can they stand at all? Mobilise at all? Use a walker?
https://amzn.eu/d/cYysXZ0

Edited

That’s another good suggestion - last year that gadget would have helped. I think over the last year though we’ve gone beyond this and with the ramp in their own home now, they have got out of practice at even tackling small steps. It is hip and knee issues plus fear after numerous falls. They are also about 13 stone, maybe more, so I can’t support or risk causing myself an injury.

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Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 12:17

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 17/11/2025 11:17

The hire option just above looks great.

We made one out of decking type wood as a semi permanent structure for my parents. Worked well but weighed a metric ton so not great unless you have somewhere you can hide it afterwards for occasional visits.

Do you have all the right stuff in place for bathroom visits etc though? Getting them into the house was only the first step in my experience. While it's nice to host them and for them to get out, there comes a point where it's just not practical.

Yes, I have the other kit. Sadly, parent is deteriorating year on year. Gone from being able to stay overnight and mange stairs to not able to cope with the threshold step. We have coped with all the intervening steps so are set up in that respect.

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Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 12:15

galbraith · 17/11/2025 11:06

Suggest trying building equipment/tool hire places near you - here's an example, £20 a week for a nearly 8ft long ramp: www.speedyservices.com/hire/building-site-works/01_0098-h-Roll-a-Ramp-244m-SWL-453kg

Brilliant! Love that.

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TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 17/11/2025 11:17

The hire option just above looks great.

We made one out of decking type wood as a semi permanent structure for my parents. Worked well but weighed a metric ton so not great unless you have somewhere you can hide it afterwards for occasional visits.

Do you have all the right stuff in place for bathroom visits etc though? Getting them into the house was only the first step in my experience. While it's nice to host them and for them to get out, there comes a point where it's just not practical.

galbraith · 17/11/2025 11:06

Suggest trying building equipment/tool hire places near you - here's an example, £20 a week for a nearly 8ft long ramp: www.speedyservices.com/hire/building-site-works/01_0098-h-Roll-a-Ramp-244m-SWL-453kg

Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 10:31

TheWildZebra · 17/11/2025 08:53

In the past when we’ve travelled abroad with my dad who is a wheelchair user, we’re hired ramps from the local Red Cross (or equivalent charity). Is there something similar near you that might do the same?

I wouldn’t buy anything for under £100 because it probably won’t be very safe/flimsy.

it’s very very frustrating that these companies are allowed to place such high prices on these products.

I checked the Red Cross and they don’t do it. I do wonder how many people hire a wheelchair from them and then encounter this issue. I found a company in Bristol that hire but sadly I am nowhere near Bristol. It’s a shame as the price was very reasonable.

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Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 10:29

Shepherdswarning · 17/11/2025 10:23

W DF we have a little ramp that we move for single steps. The one time we wanted him to be somewhere where the ramp wouldn’t work we had 3 strong teens bodily lift him and chair. Not ideal but it worked. Not to be repeated at all regularly but we would do it again for Christmas if needed. Could something like that work?

I wish I could do the lift option. sadly my parent is no light weight :-(

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Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 10:27

StrongTea · 17/11/2025 08:50

What about covering a heavy weight exterior plywood or similar with non slip rubber matting? A few cross pieces of 2 x 2 on the back for extra strength. Sort of like a door

There’s a few online videos about this. I think if you have sufficient points of contact underneath it could work but the weight bearing factor would be a concern!

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Shepherdswarning · 17/11/2025 10:23

W DF we have a little ramp that we move for single steps. The one time we wanted him to be somewhere where the ramp wouldn’t work we had 3 strong teens bodily lift him and chair. Not ideal but it worked. Not to be repeated at all regularly but we would do it again for Christmas if needed. Could something like that work?

Octavia64 · 17/11/2025 10:20

I’d be very worried about plywood breaking under the pressure.

one adult plus a wheelchair (electric?) is heavy. There’s only 4 points of contact.

TheWildZebra · 17/11/2025 08:53

In the past when we’ve travelled abroad with my dad who is a wheelchair user, we’re hired ramps from the local Red Cross (or equivalent charity). Is there something similar near you that might do the same?

I wouldn’t buy anything for under £100 because it probably won’t be very safe/flimsy.

it’s very very frustrating that these companies are allowed to place such high prices on these products.

StrongTea · 17/11/2025 08:50

What about covering a heavy weight exterior plywood or similar with non slip rubber matting? A few cross pieces of 2 x 2 on the back for extra strength. Sort of like a door

Puffins84 · 17/11/2025 08:49

Moel · 17/11/2025 08:38

@Puffins84 thanks - that’s outside of budget for a one off use. I’m really looking for solutions that are one hundred or under.

No problem at all - all the best with looking for it :) I know how long I looked for solutions too with my relatives and wasn’t easy to find something for them either xxx

ScaryM0nster · 17/11/2025 08:48

Personally I’d go for a steeper slope than loading ramps. Which means shorter ramp.

If weight isn’t too much of an issue then you can get away with quite a steep slope.

Some other options to consider:
anywhere locally with temporary ramps you could borrow (eg shops with steps)?
Red cross - often do loan of equipment.
Is there a back door? Is that any easier?

(and is the inside of the house wheelchair accessible - not all door ways are).

PinkFootstool · 17/11/2025 08:42

How mobile is your relative? Could they be physically assisted up the two steps ie carried, helped to climb them etc?

ETA - can they stand at all? Mobilise at all? Use a walker?
https://amzn.eu/d/cYysXZ0

Original poster

Moel · 17/11/2025 08:38

@Puffins84 thanks - that’s outside of budget for a one off use. I’m really looking for solutions that are one hundred or under.

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Puffins84 · 17/11/2025 04:51

For the above, appreciate its about 800, for 6ft length of that what you’re after. My relatives put it out and remove it quite easily if it’s a temp one you’re after