The Full Guide to Buying & Installing a Stairlift
A stairlift is one of the most important investments you may ever make. If you have mobility issues or chronic pain that makes it difficult to walk up or down the stairs, a stairlift could change your life. But as with any mobility aids, it’s crucial that you find the most suitable type for your home and your body.
Buying and installing a stairlift is easier than ever. If you need help getting up and down the stairs, don’t wait. Read our full guide to stairlifts and start a better life today.
Do I need a stairlift?
A stairlift is a useful investment for anyone who has difficulty manoeuvring up or down stairs. This can include the stairs inside your home or outside stairs leading up to your home.
There are many reasons why you might need a stairlift:
- You feel pain whenever you walk up or down stairs
- You feel weak whenever you walk up or down stairs
- You are wheelchair bound — temporarily or permanently — and have no way to travel up or down stairs
- You suffer from mobility issues that prevent you from walking up or down stairs
You also might be considering acquiring a stairlift for someone else. This might be if:
- You are a business owner looking to improve accessibility in your workplace
- You have someone with mobility issues temporarily staying in your home
There’s no need to restrict yourself to one part of your home, or suffer every time you walk from one floor to another. If you or someone on your premises need help, a stairlift is for you.
What type of stairlift do I need?
There are various types of stairlifts to choose from. Which one is right for you will depend largely on the type of stairs you will be installing them on, as well as your specific needs.
Choosing a stairlift couldn’t be easier. First, have a look at what type of stairlift you need:
Seated stairlift
These are the most common types of stairlift. Users simply sit on the stairlift like a normal chair and wait for it to complete its journey up or down the stairs. Seated stairlifts have a comfortable backrest and the seat swivels to make it easier to transition from a seated to a standing position.
Perched stairlift
As the name suggests, users perch on this stairlift instead of taking a normal seated position. Perch stairlifts are for those who find sitting difficult or uncomfortable. The user is supported without needing to fully bend their hips or knees. The stairlift also includes a retractable seat belt to keep the user safe and secure.
You should choose a seated or perched orientation based on the needs of the user. The second type of stairlift you need will depend on the type of stairs you will be installing your stairlift on. Remember — you can get a seated or perched chair with any of the following types of stairlifts.
Straight stairlifts
Suitable for straight stairs, straight stairlifts are fitted to the stair tread rather than the staircase wall. Straight stairlifts simply travel up and down the stairs in one straight line.
Looking for a new straight stairlift? See our range or call our team on 0121 371 0780.
Curved stairlifts
Curved stairlifts are able to travel around bends on stairs. They are installed on a rail on the staircase wall and are capable of travelling around multiple bends and gliding across landings.
Looking for a new curved stairlift? See our range or call our team on 0121 371 0780.
Outdoor stairlifts
Outdoor stairlifts are designed to use with outdoor stairs. They work similarly to traditional straight or curved stairlifts but are made with sturdy, water-resistant materials to withstand the elements.
Do I need a new or used stairlift?
A used stairlift is a great way to acquire a stairlift at a reduced price. A used stairlift will arrive to you in perfect working order and, in most cases, will be indistinguishable from a new model. However, since it has previously been used, you should expect a used stairlift to have a shorter lifespan than a brand new model.
If you have a smaller budget, a used stairlift may be the better option. However, if you anticipate that you will be using a stairlift for the rest of your life, it may be worthwhile investing in a pricier stairlift with a longer lifespan.
Our reconditioned stairlifts start from £850 – call our team on 0121 371 0780 to see what we have available.
For further information, see our guide on tips for choosing the perfect stairlift.
We also provide stairlift rental, from as little as £50 per month.
Many users rate stairlifts as one of the most important purchases they’ve ever made, but it’s not always necessary to purchase a stairlift outright.
See here our guide on should I buy or rent a stairlift?
Can you replace my old stairlift?
Yes! We can replace your old stairlift with a new one from our range. Our team provides installation and removal for all our stairlifts.
- We are now offering up to £100 off your new stairlift, if you scrap your old one with us.
How long does it take to install a stairlift?
Stairlifts can usually be installed in under a day. Plus, most stairlift rails fit to the stairs instead of the walls, meaning no structural alterations will be required for installation.
For more details, see our article on what happens when a stairlift is installed.
How much does it cost to run a stairlift?
Thanks to advancements in technology and efficiency standards, modern stairlifts are exceptionally efficient. Accounting for the number of times a stairlift will typically be used in a day, the average stairlift costs less than most other household appliances that are used for hours in a day.
Stairlifts use rechargeable batteries that are designed to provide power to the stairlift with maximum efficiency. With an average of 14 journeys per day up and down the staircase, these rechargeable batteries will be minimally affected.
See more in our guide on the costs to run a stairlift.
What should I do if my stairlift breaks down?
If your stairlift suffers a fault, you should first make checks to identify any areas of the chair that might be malfunctioning.
Battery
Check to see if the battery is charged. Your chairlift won’t move if the batteries have run out of power. To fix this, simply charge the batteries using the designated charger.
Chair
Make sure the chair is upright. The stairlift won’t move unless the chair is in the upright position. Make sure the backrest is firmly upright and try to use the chair again.
Obstructions
There may be something blocking the progress of the chair up the rail. The obstruction could be lodged in the rail or in the chair itself. Follow the rail and check for any items that may have become stuck. You should also assess the chair to see if anything has become lodged in its components.
Controls
If you have a stairlift that is operated by the remote control, it could be the case that some of the buttons are jammed. Make sure you have located your remote and check to see if any of the buttons seem out of place or permanently pressed in.
Locks
Some modern stairlifts use locks as a safety precaution so that it isn’t a danger to young children. Check to see if your stairlift is in locked mode.
If none of the advice works, you may require the assistance of a professional. Ideas in Action offer professional repairs and maintenance for all types of stairlift. Simply contact our team and we’ll be able to help you.
Stairlifts give you the independence to travel around your house whenever you need to. At Ideas In Action, we help everyone find and acquire the most suitable stairlift for their needs. You can rent a stairlift or buy a stairlift from us — just check out our various models.
See further information below:
As experienced stairlift installers, we provide full installation of any of our stairlifts as part of our comprehensive service. All our stairlifts are from reputable manufacturers and are tested for safety standards that are set by independent safety bodies.
Should your stairlift suffer a fault for any reason, we offer professional repair and maintenance using official manufacturer parts, or we can replace your stairlift with a brand new model.
Ideas In Action is based in Birmingham but proudly serves customers across the West Midlands. Contact our team today to begin your journey to restoring your independence.