Stairlifts have revolutionized the lives of individuals with mobility challenges, providing them with the freedom to access different levels of their homes without the struggle of climbing stairs. If you or a loved one is considering the installation of a stairlift, you likely have questions. In this article, we’ll address some of the most common questions related to stairlifts.
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- How much do stairlifts cost?
- What is the weight capacity of a stairlift?
- What kind of electrical do I need for my stairlift?
- Can I use my stairlift if the power goes out?
- How do stairlifts attach to stairs?
- How long does it take to get a stairlift installed?
- What is the best stairlift brand?
- Can I rent a stairlift?
- Does COR Freedom buy used stairlifts?
How much do stairlifts cost?
The cost of a stairlift can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of stairlift, the complexity of the installation, and any additional features you may choose.
Straight Stairlifts
On the low end, a basic straight stairlift could start around $2,000 and go up from there. However, the average for a quality brand is more like $3,000 – $5,000, including installation.
If you add a folding rail, you can expect the cost to increase by about $1,000. Additional accessories and premium colors will also increase the price.
Curved Stairlifts
If your staircase has turns or landings somewhere between the top and the bottom, chances are you’ll need a curved stairlift.
Curved stairlifts are custom-built to fit your home’s exact, unique staircase. Because they are unique, they are more expensive, often ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 or more. It’s important to obtain quotes from reputable stairlift providers to get an accurate estimate for your specific needs.
A Word to the Wise (You Get What You Pay For)
It’s important to consider the old adage “you get what you pay for.” The lowest priced stairlift might seem appealing, but the constant maintenance and low service quality of a manufacturer sometimes leaves buyers with regret.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for us to get calls from people who bought a stairlift from a “great deal” they saw on TV. Usually the call goes something like this “Hello, I have a (insert mass-marketed brand here) stairlift, and it’s not working. Do you guys repair stairlifts?”
And while we do repair stairlifts, this particular brand doesn’t allow us to get parts, so the best we can do is replace a battery. If it’s anything more than that, the customer is out of luck.
What is the weight capacity of a stairlift?
Stairlifts are designed to accommodate a range of weight capacities, typically between 250 to 600 pounds. It’s crucial to choose a stairlift that suits the weight requirements of the user to ensure safety and optimal performance.
What kind of electrical do I need for my stairlift?
Most stairlifts operate on a standard 110-volt household electrical outlet. This voltage is commonly found in homes and is sufficient to charge and recharge the batteries that power the motor.
Can I use my stairlift if the power goes out?
Most stairlifts get their power from batteries rather than straight from a power outlet. Connections along the rail continuously recharge the batteries as you use the lift.
If your home loses power, there should be sufficient power in your stairlift’s batteries for multiple trips up and down your stairs. For this reason, you’ll want to always make sure your stairlift is maintained and your batteries are in top shape.
How do stairlifts attach to stairs?
Stairlifts are securely attached to the stairs using a combination of brackets and supports. Despite what many people think, stairlifts attach to the stair treads, rather than the wall.
If you ever need to remove the lift, you’ll be left with small screw holes in a few of your steps that can easily be filled. If your stairs are carpeted, you won’t even see the holes.
How long does it take to get a stairlift installed?
In most cases, once you’ve paid for the stairlift, you’re looking at 2-3 weeks before it’s installed. The majority of that time is waiting for the stairlift to arrive from the manufacturer. Once it’s in stock, we usually have it installed in a week or less.
The exception to this timeline is if we happen to have the lift you want in our inventory. If so, the time from purchase to installation would usually be a week or less.
What is the best stairlift brand?
There are many reputable stairlift companies out there, and it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one brand. However, we prefer Harmar and Bruno for their quality, reliability, and serviceability.
There are cheaper options out there, but we feel you’ll eventually pay more over time when the lift breaks down and needs service. We get calls all the time from people with stairlifts from a manufacturer (we won’t mention names) who advertises low-cost stairlifts heavily on TV. Usually the caller’s lift is not working, and they are in a bind. They call us because the manufacturer is either incredibly difficult to reach, or they aren’t able to schedule an appointment for a long time. Worse yet, we can’t even help service the lifts because we don’t have access to their parts.
Both Harmar and Bruno have proven to be quality products that should run for years with proper care and maintenance.
Can I rent a stairlift?
Yes you can! There are a few companies who offer this service. Typically, you can expect a monthly rental charge as well as charges for labor to install and remove the stairlift. If you’re interested in renting, COR Freedom can help. Give us a call at 810-213-6377 or complete the form at the bottom of this article.
Does COR Freedom buy used stairlifts?
We do on occasion purchase used stairlifts. Generally speaking, the stairlifts we’d be interested purchasing are one year or less old, and we only purchase Harmar or Bruno.
