A porch ramp looks like one board project in the yard. It is really a short series of steps, and each one decides whether the next one works. Walk the sequence in order and you will see where a day can go wrong.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Step one: measure the rise and pick the landing
Measure from the ground, or from the porch, up to the threshold of the door he uses most. That height is the rise. Then look at how much room the ramp will need on the ground side to run out to a safe slope. A ramp that is too steep is hard to use. A ramp that needs more room than the yard offers will not work either. Ask the builder which slope they plan and how long the ramp will run, and check that against your measurements before anyone cuts wood.
Step two: check the permit and the ground
Call the city or county building office and ask whether a ramp of this size needs a permit. Many do. Ask whether an inspection is required before the ramp is used. Look at the ground where the footings will go. Soft soil, a yard that drains toward the house, or buried lines all change the build and the cost. Ask whether the company will request utility locating before digging.
Step three: choose the material and the rails
Wood and aluminum are the usual choices. Wood can be built to fit an uneven porch and needs upkeep. Aluminum kits go together quickly, can be slick when wet unless the surface is textured, and come in set widths. Either way, require handrails on both sides, a level landing at the top and bottom, and a raised edge along any open side. Ask for a non-slip surface, not only a stained one.
Step four: the build days
Expect the footings first, then the frame, then the decking and rails. Ask the crew to show you where the fasteners are and how the ramp is anchored to the house. Check that the landing is level and that the ramp does not rock when someone stands on it. He can be inside for the loud part and brought out for the final walk, which is the part he will want to see for himself.
Step five: inspection and the first use
If a permit was pulled, the inspection comes before anyone calls the ramp finished. After that, walk it yourself with a hand on each rail, then let him try it with you beside him. Clear snow and leaves each week. Check the bolts and rails after the first heavy rain or cold snap. A ramp stays safe because someone keeps looking at it.