Wheelchair ramps and accessible entries in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
A wheelchair or walker turns the front steps into the hardest part of the day. In Santa Rosa Beach that problem is sharper than inland, because so many homes sit on raised or stilted foundations with a long approach from the driveway.
Ramps are also easy to get wrong. Too steep and it is unusable, and unsafe going down. Too short a landing at the door and there is nowhere to stand while opening it. Wood that is not rated for salt air fails in a few seasons.
We measure the actual rise, work out the run and landings, decide whether a ramp is even the right solution for that entry, and coordinate construction with a licensed independent contractor.
We are not the installing contractor.
Coastal Access Living is a home safety and accessibility coordinator. We assess the home, set the priority order, scope the work, gather quotes, schedule the trades, and check the finished result. The physical installation is performed by appropriately licensed and insured independent contractors, who remain responsible for their own work, warranties, and code compliance.
That separation is deliberate. A coordinator who does not sell the installation has no reason to recommend more work than the home needs. April is CAPS-certified, based in Freeport, and paid to get the priority order right.
Measure before anyone drills.
The complimentary Home Safety & Access Assessment is a 60 to 90 minute in-home walkthrough. For this kind of project, it covers:
- Exact rise from grade or driveway to the threshold, measured rather than estimated.
- Available run and turning space on the lot, including setbacks and landscaping.
- Landing size at the door, so the door can be opened from a seated position.
- Threshold height at the door itself, which often needs its own small fix.
- Surface and material choices that hold up to salt air, sand, and rain.
- Whether a ramp, a vertical platform lift, or an improved stair is the better answer here.
Answers before you call.
- Do you build the ramp?
- No. We assess the entry, calculate the run and slope, specify the design, and coordinate construction with appropriately licensed and insured independent contractors. Those contractors are responsible for their own work, permits where required, and code compliance.
- How long does a ramp need to be?
- The common reference is one foot of ramp for every inch of rise. A 24 inch rise from grade to a Santa Rosa Beach porch means roughly 24 feet of ramp, plus level landings at the top and any turns. Many coastal homes here are elevated enough that a straight run does not fit, and the design turns or switches back.
- What about stilted homes on 30A with a full flight of stairs?
- A ramp is often not the right answer for a full story of rise, because the required length is impractical on most lots. In those cases we look at alternatives, including a first-floor living arrangement, a vertical platform lift, or improving the stairs with better handrails, traction, and lighting. We will tell you when a ramp is the wrong tool.
- Are permits required in Walton County?
- It depends on the design, whether it is permanent, and the specific jurisdiction. Permitting and code compliance are handled by the licensed contractor performing the work. We coordinate the process and keep the family informed.
- Can a ramp be temporary?
- Yes. Modular aluminum and threshold ramps work well for short-term recovery or rented homes, and they can be removed without altering the structure. We include that option in the assessment when the situation calls for it.
Start with the walkthrough.
Call April directly or request the complimentary Home Safety & Access Assessment online. You get a written priority list either way.