Ramp-A-Thon

BuiltByMAC

I always pull permits for the jobs that require them. These ramps are under 30" tall so no permit was required. However, if a permit had been required, I would've talked to a couple of the folks at the Planning and Dev. Office to see if the fees could be waived. I've been in there enough that I'm on first name basis w/ one guy and several others would at least recognize me. I would explain the project and ask them if they'd be willing to waive the fees.
Maybe showing them the other aspects of the project that are being donated (including your labor) would help sway them. Couldn't hurt to ask...

Mac

barnbuilder1

Went to a little meeting this morning. left, thought I'd check out river level, went to elevator, noticed Harrah museum was open, walked in, to open the railroad depot, they need a handicapped ramp built, in comes ramp-a-thon, Bob comes down and we go over the plans, will have meeting next thurs. and ask for the money for the materials, I volunteered to build it. Any one nearby want to help out, in Harrah Oklahoma. How does that sound Mac?

BuiltByMAC

Sounds awesome! Keep us updated -

Mac

15element

gtmstang

Got the ramp done finally. Been waiting on materials for a while. HO didnt want it to be so long so I fudged on the slope a little.

The ramp was for a vet who lives in the country so no permits and no inspections so I gave him what he wanted. Its probably the smallest ramp I've ever built. 15 ft. long and only 3 ft. wide, but he and his wife are happy as clams.

I have one more 2x4 to put on the handrail. Ran out of material. I'll go back tomorrow and finish up and get some pics.

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BuiltByMAC

Right on, man, right on. You made a difference in someone's life who really needed it. Too cool.

Mac

SpectrumLLC

I have built literally several miles of ramps in the Pittsburgh area for dozens of families. I work with many charities that help lots of people. I donate quite a few projects as well.

I Just stumbled on this site and want encourage everyone to keep up the great work.

I have not had time to follow all of the posts back, but sounds like you have made a difference in alot of peoples lives.

BKFranks

You guys should check out Rebuilding Together. Plenty of opportunities to partner up with them or just volunteer to help someone who is disabled or a wounded vet. Do a google search for your local chapter. Here's the national website: http://www.rebuildingtogether.org

They just helped a wounded Vietnam vet in my area with home repairs that he could not afford and had been putting off for the past 12 years. They also built him a ramp.

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SpectrumLLC

Already do some work for them, Christmas in April has always been a great sucess.

buildenterprise

This ramp is for those who can only take three steps.

Seriously, I just got a call for a ramp, went online to find the ADA specs and voila! here I am at CT! I may just donate my labor since this guy is on Medicaid and they are having problems procuring the finances for the project. At any rate, I need some design help. The door threshold is 24" above grade and there's only 14' between the door and the driveway. Below is a simple sketch of the layout. I was reading the requirements on the ADA site and they require a 5' level run at the top of the ramp, so that is complicating it a bit.

SLSTech

Landing - ramp come straight out of the house 12' - landing - ramp left turn to driveway

or a wheelchair lift

Pitch 1 - 12

1 -20 is preferred & it is required for commercial work, but not residential

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rustyjames

In most places ADA only applies to commercial work. For residential, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do; just about any ramp is better than no ramp.

BuiltByMAC

Here's a couple of options -

Mac

Attached Thumbnails

   

buildenterprise

Thanks Mac! Only issue here is, if Medicaid or a state agency is paying for this, they may want it built to ADA specs, which would eliminate these two plans. Requirements such as a 5' x 5' landing where the ramp turns, a 5' run at the top of a ramp, etc.

BuiltByMAC

I suppose you could modify the designs to accommodate a 5x5 landing instead of a 4x4...jus' another foot each way.

Mac

BuiltByMAC

Well, here we are in Nov. of '09, the target month to have completed a ramp.

I'd like to thank Dale Kirby of Kirby Custom Homes and my three local builders for building ramps.

I'll be pulling down the website and chalking it up as a learning experience. A whole lotta good intentions, not a lot of actual building happened.
Not sure what stopped most folks from getting their projects completed, I got very little feedback from the posts I made here and the emails I sent out.

I will rethink this project and approach it from a slightly different angle next time.

Mac

BreyerConstruct

Hey Mac...

Sometimes things move a bit slower than anticipated- especially when it's unpaid! Don't give up... but maybe re-tool and come at it from a different angle.

For what it's worth, I've got decking material on hand for 1-2 small decks, or several decent ramps. I've got info on our local HBA's website, and work with NADRA for their Deck for a Soldier...
Right now we're putting the final details together for a D4S recipient selection... and I've got my eye out for a ramp as well.

I appreciate your work,
~Matt

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XanadooLTD

I think it was just bad timing. With the construction boom coming to a complete halt and the lumber prices sky rocketing etc. It would be just ttoooooo difficult to complete this at no charge. Around 1000-1500 in just material alone then workers, etc. That seems like a big loss especially when people don't know when their next paying job will hit.

SLSTech

Mac - I would agree with the guys above for some of the issues, or it could also be due to a lack of need in the area. My name is known by the people who know who needs one - nothing

I would leave the site up - but flip it, keep the resources listed & the contractors that did build a ramp --- celebrate the fact for how many people have been helped. I have a feeling that more people were helped by these threads than would have been without them.

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Dan V.

I actually did get one built. I did not take pics yet. I'll be back there on Thurs. or Fri. of this week and take a few and upload them.

I had several others planned but I couldn't get solid commitments from the material vendors and local businesses I approached. I actually had a verbal commitment from my local HD to supply mats for 1 ramp, but the person has not returned any of my calls for the past 3 weeks. Also had a local bank willing to pony up some cash for mats but have been waiting for the check now for over two weeks.

I'm still plugging away but it's taking a lot longer than I had first anticipated.

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