How to Build a Temporary Ramp Over Stairs for Moving

Moving Home with a Wheelchair User

People search for how to build a temporary ramp over stairs for moving for two quite different reasons. Some want a way to wheel furniture and boxes over the front steps. Others are moving a household that includes a wheelchair user and need a way for that person to get in and out of the old home and the new one while everything is in flux. This page is about the second situation. Goods ramps and trolley boards are the removal firm’s tools and should be left to them. Access for a person is a different job with different risks, and it deserves its own plan.

We do not give instructions for building a ramp from boards or timber. An improvised ramp over steps can slip, bow or tip, and moving day is exactly when people are tired, rushed and distracted. Instead, this guide covers ready-made temporary options, how to arrange them and the questions to ask.

Why Moving Day Is Harder Than Usual

On a normal day, a wheelchair user has routines for getting in and out. On moving day, those routines break down. Doors are propped open, paths are crowded with boxes, vans are parked where the usual route runs, and familiar ramps may already be packed. At the new home, nothing is set up yet, and the entrance may have steps that no one has had time to address. It is common for the wheelchair user to be asked to wait somewhere while the work goes on, which may not be comfortable or practical for long.

A little planning makes a big difference. Decide early who will look after access for the wheelchair user, separate from whoever is managing the removal.

Ready-Made Temporary Ramps

Portable Folding and Suitcase Ramps

These give a rigid deck that folds for carrying. For a single step or a low threshold they can be enough, and they are easy to put in the car on the day. Check the maker’s stated height range and maximum load against your steps and chair before relying on one.

Telescopic Channel Ramps

These extend to reach higher sills and can be useful at a van or car, but they need careful alignment with the wheels and a helper who is confident using them.

Roll-Up Ramps

Flexible slatted ramps pack small and sit well on uneven ground. They suit single steps better than a flight.

Modular Hire Systems

Where there are several steps, some suppliers hire modular ramp systems that are fitted and removed by their own staff. This takes planning, as a survey is usually needed, but it can provide proper access at the new home from the first day.

Our guides to temporary wheelchair ramps for stairs and temporary access ramps compare these options in more detail.

Hire or Buy for a Move?

If the new home will need a permanent solution anyway, hiring a temporary ramp for the move and the weeks afterwards can bridge the gap while that is arranged. If the wheelchair user will need a portable ramp for visits and outings in future, buying one now may make sense. Ask hire firms what the price includes, how quickly they can fit and collect, and what happens if the move date changes. Ask sellers about returns in case the ramp does not suit the steps at the new address.

A Plan for the Old Home

• Keep one route in and out clear of boxes and furniture for as long as possible.
• Leave the existing ramp in place until the last moment, and agree with the removal team when it will be packed.
• Ask the removal firm where they plan to park and carry items, so their route and the wheelchair route do not clash.
• If the wheelchair user will leave before the van, arrange transport and somewhere comfortable to go.

A Plan for the New Home

• Visit beforehand, if possible, to see the steps, paths and doors.
• Take photographs and notes on step heights and space, so you can choose a suitable portable or hire ramp.
• Arrange for the temporary ramp to arrive before or with the wheelchair user, not after.
• Agree who will set it out and check it on arrival.

Keeping the Wheelchair User Comfortable While the Work Goes On

Much of the advice about house moves focuses on boxes and vans. For a wheelchair user, the bigger issue can be the hours of waiting, noise and upheaval. Think about where they will spend the time. A friend’s or relative’s house, a café with level access or a quiet room at the new property that is unpacked first may all work better than sitting in a hallway full of furniture. Plan for toilets, drinks, medication and rest, and think about whether a carer or support worker should be booked for the day.

If the person uses a hoist, a profiling bed or other equipment at home, find out who will dismantle, move and set it up again, and whether that needs a specialist rather than the removal team. Some equipment is supplied on loan and has its own arrangements for being moved or collected. Ask the supplier well ahead so nothing is left behind or reassembled incorrectly. Getting these details right can make the difference between a stressful day and a manageable one.

Questions to Ask the Removal Firm

Removal firms move furniture every day, but not all are used to working around a wheelchair user. Ask whether they have done so before, whether they bring their own goods ramps and boards, and how they will keep those separate from the ramp the wheelchair user relies on. Ask them not to use a mobility ramp for heavy goods, as that can damage it. For moving goods over stairs, the live guide to a temporary ramp over stairs for moving covers the equipment side.

Longer-Term Access at the New Address

A temporary ramp should be just that. Once the move is over, look at longer-term access at the new home. An occupational therapist (OT) can assess the home and suggest what would help most, whether that is a fitted ramp, a lift or changes inside. For anything permanent, a professional installer and the council are the right people to involve. The NHS page on home adaptations explains how to ask for an assessment, and the GOV.UK page on Disabled Facilities Grants explains how the council can help with costs. If you are moving to a different council area, contact the new council early, since assessments and waiting times vary.

Looking After the Wheelchair on Moving Day

Moving day is hard on equipment too. Keep the wheelchair, its charger, cushions and any accessories with the person, not in the van. Label them clearly. If a powered chair needs charging, make sure a socket will be available at the new home on arrival. Our page on wheelchair storage has ideas for finding a home for the chair once you are in.

Summary

A temporary ramp for moving should keep the wheelchair user safe and included while the household changes address. Use ready-made portable or hire ramps rather than improvised boards, plan routes at both homes, talk to the removal firm, and make the new home’s access a priority rather than an afterthought. With that in place, moving day becomes one less thing to worry about.