Sooner or later the stairs will become difficult for many people. You may consider this a good moment to think about a stairlift. The advantages of the lift are obvious and the main disadvantage is that you are taking less exercise which may mean you lose Quadriceps muscle in your legs. You can make up for this with Quadriceps exercises in your chair and doing some sit to standing exercises. See Knee strengthening exercises
Once you have decided that you need one, the next step is to decide which company you would like to go with and get quotes. This will involve a feasibility study by a stairlift company. To find out about recommended stairlift companies you can either consult your occupational therapist, disabled living centre, or visit the Disabled Living Foundation’s (DLF) Living Made Easy website, which has details of stairlift models from national stairlift manufacturers and suppliers, many of whom are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA).
Avoid the hard-sell and higher prices. You can find out which firms have been voted the best and worst stairlift brands in Which magazines independent customer survey, and where to buy your stairlift.
Stairlift prices
in Whichs 2020 survey of stairlift owners revealed that the average price paid for a new stairlift was £3,284 Although stairlifts are expensive items, the cost of buying and installing one has remained fairly stable for many years. A simple, straight stairlift can be bought for around £2,000. Prices can jump to as much as £7,000 or more if you have curved or especially long stairs or need additional features. As a general rule, every corner in your staircase will double the initial price. If you have a staircase formed of two straight flights of stairs with a landing area in between, it may be cheaper to buy two straight stairlifts instead of one curved one. You would need to be mobile enough to move from one lift to the other, though. Because curved stairlifts are made to measure, a deposit is normally required. This isn’t usually necessary for straight stairlifts, though. Prices and quality vary between manufacturers and by type of stairlift.
Stairlift brands are
- Acorn
- Handicare
- Stannah
- Bespoke
- MediTek
- Thyssenkrup
Where to see stairlifts before you buy
Some companies have showrooms at which you can see and try different models. Alternatively, you could find your nearest equipment demonstration centre. These are dedicated places where you can try out mobility aids in a non-sales environment. There are a number across the UK, and you can find a list on the Disabled Living Foundation’s Living Made Easy website.
If you know someone who owns a stairlift, ask to try theirs, and talk to them about the pros and cons. But remember that your requirements may be very different – e.g if theirs is a straight stairlift, it’s likely to have been simpler and cheaper to install than a bespoke option for curved stairs.
What to consider before getting your stairlift quotes
Be sure that a stairlift is the right option for you and your needs now and in the foreseeable future
Ask whether the company is a member of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). This means it will have signed up to its code of practice, which includes ethical selling. All stairlifts must be CE-marked and comply with British Standard BS5776.
Getting a quote for a stairlift
For a stairlift company to be able to give you an accurate quote, a surveyor will usually need to visit your home to carry out a feasibility study. This should be free of charge. They will determine, among other things, whether your stairs are wide enough for the stairlift you want, and, for seated stairlifts, wide enough to allow room for your knees when seated. The visit is your chance to find out about the different models of stairlift the company offers. But it’s not just about your staircase, the assessor will need to find out about you too. This will allow them to identify the features that will suit your individual needs. It’s a good idea to get quotes from two or three different companies, including one manufacturer and one supplier, so you can compare prices and make an informed decision.
Get the best from your visit If possible, try to arrange for your OT to be present during the feasibility study. If this isn’t possible, you should at least make sure that your OT has given you clear written instructions about which stairlift features are important for you – for instance, whether you need one that is seated or a standing and, if seated, whether it needs to be height adjustable. Once the study has been completed, the company representative will give you a written quote, either there and then, or in the following days.
What to expect:
The salesperson should thoroughly assess your needs, including: Whether you’ll be able to safely get on and off a seated stairlift, and whether you’ll be able to use the control button and the footrest If the stairlift will have a retractable seatbelt, that you have the strength and finger movement to secure it
The dimensions of your stairs- Whether they are wide enough to accommodate a stairlift and whether there are there bends that necessitate a curved staircase, or obstructions that will mean the stairlift need to automatically fold back
If any extra home-improvement work, such as an extra plug point, is needed. Larger companies may have computer software to show you what your customised stairlift will look like on your own stairs.
Questions to ask at your stairlift consultation
1. Am I physically able to get on and off the stairlift (taking into account any disabilities), and travel on it comfortably and safely?
2. What type of stairlift would best meet my needs? For example, if I have arthritic knees, will I be comfortable travelling seated or do I need a perching or standing stairlift?
3.Is the suggested stairlift suitable for someone of my height and weight (for example, is the seat deep enough to comfortably accommodate long legs)?
4.Can I safely use features such as the controls and seatbelt, or do I need adaptations (for example, a joystick because I can’t keep the control button pressed down)?
5. Can my staircase accommodate the cheapest straight stairlift or will I need a more expensive curved/ bespoke option?
7. How will the stairlift work in my home environment? For example, will the track need to get around a doorway or radiator at the bottom of the stairs?
8. Are my stairs wide enough for both the stairlift and for others in the house to safely use the stairs, if needed?
9. After-sales service – how does the the company deal with breakdowns, including response times?
10. How much will be charged for call-outs, such as annual servicing (usually recommended by manufacturers) and repairs?
11. Does the company have a ‘buy back’ policy’ (and if so, how does it compare to those of other companies)?
A quote should include:
1.The cost of the stairlift
2. Cost of any bespoke options, such as choice of seat upholstery 3.Installation costs 4.Eligibility for VAT exemption Check with the salesperson if you’re eligible for a VAT exemption because of disability
5,What extra work is included such as extra power supply or carpentry work 6.information on the length of the stairlift’s warranty, too. Most have a one-year minimum warranty, but some offer two-year and extended warranties
7. What is included in the warranty – for example, a service, replacement parts or repairs?
8.What aftercare is available?
9.Will the stairlift be maintained by engineers directly employed by the company?
10.Will they be on call and able to visit whenever needed, day or night?
Stairlift installation:
How long does it take between Assessment and Installation
Stairlifts from brands such as Acorn and Stannah can take between one and 14 days to be installed. Council or housing association installation is likely to take longer.
Stairlifts can normally be installed in less than a day. And, as most stairlift rails fit to the stairs rather than the wall, no structural alterations to your home should be needed.
Stairlift maintenance
Stairlifts should be inspected by a qualified stairlift engineer every six months and serviced annually – especially as most people with stairlifts are dependent on them to give them access to the whole house. Your stairlift should come with a minimum one-year warranty; some companies offer two years.
Most stairlift companies also offer a 24-hour no-fees call-out service for the first year, which covers any spare parts that might be needed. After the first year, you’ll need to either renew your warranty, or pay an engineer by the hour for any required servicing. Most stairlift companies offer extended warranties or maintenance contracts when you purchase a stairlift. Not all of these cover the battery, however.
Buying a second-hand stairlift
You can save some money by buying a second-hand stairlift. The average cost of a second-hand stairlift is £2,802, compared with £3,284 for a brand-new one. Many manufacturers and suppliers sell reconditioned stairlifts, which can be much cheaper than new ones. These are usually straight stairlifts that have been removed from one property and can be fixed to another staircase in a different home. Made-to-measure curved staircases are not normally available second-hand. If you’re considering a second-hand stairlift ask the same sort of questions as you would for a second-hand car. For example, the stairlift’s service history, who has serviced it and the length of any warranty included.
Hiring a stairlift
Hiring a stairlift might be a better option if you know you will only need it for a set period of time, such as if you’re recovering from an accident or operation. Some suppliers have a minimum term for stairlift hire, often around three months. Installation costs when hiring (which normally also includes removal at the end) range from £350 to more than £1,000, while monthly rental fees range from £10 for a straight stairlift from a local supplier to as much as £150 a month for a complicated curved stairlift from a national manufacturer.
Financial assistance for stairlifts
It’s worth looking into whether you might be eligible for a stairlift provided or funded by the council. If you need to buy a stairlift because you have a chronic illness, or other form of disability, and intend to live in your current property for the next five years, you may be eligible for a disabled facilities grant to help with the cost. Social services or your local environmental heath department may be able to offer disabled facilities grants of up to £30,000 to eligible people. They also sometimes offer low-cost loans. However, your income and savings have to be assessed first, and referrals from an OT are normally required
Remember when you are getting a quote
It’s not just about the upfront price. This is the time to go into detail about what aftercare is included. The bigger retailers offer 1-2 years warranty as part of the sale of new stairlifts.
Compare the prices of how much a service would cost and any repairs. (the average cost was £224 for the visit and £211 for servicing).
Stairlift buy-back options
Many a buy back facility when the lift is no longer needed.
When you are buying, do ask specifically about the resale value.
The price will depend on factors such as the age of the stairlift, its condition and any stipulations, such as having the stairlift regularly serviced by the company.
Sources–
Which magazine
DLF