What are the most important factors that will affect stairlifts prices? This article explain some of the considerations that you will need to take into account when you are budgeting for a new stair lift. We look at the different types of stair lifts that are available today to help you decide what is best for your requirements. We also discuss the various factors that are likely to affect the prices you will have to pay, and consider some of the problems that may be worrying you regarding stair lift installation.
How stair lifts can help you
Stairlifts are an innovation in mobility solutions that have revolutionized the lives of many people who experience difficulty in climbing the stairs. Stair lifts can greatly improve quality of life, and in many cases, they have enabled people with limited mobility to stay in their homes rather than move to a flat or bungalow.
A stairlift is a mobility device that consists of a chair attached to an electric rail that is fitted to the staircase. A person can sit on the seat and, at the touch of a button, the lift will convey the chair and its occupant safely up or down the stairs. It does not matter whether the staircase is straight, curved or even spiral because stairlifts can be adapted to fit all kinds of staircases. It is even possible to install outdoor stair lifts for houses with outside steps to doors or for access to the garden.
How do stair lifts work?
A stair lift motor runs on low-voltage DC power using a 13 amp socket, which means that stair lifts are energy efficient and comparable to an electric kettle in terms of running costs. The motor is backed up by a rechargeable battery that automatically recharges when not in use so that the stair lift can carry on working even in the event of a power cut.
Stairlifts don’t take much up space, and only require a rail to be fixed in an unobtrusive way by the side of the staircase. The rail is fitted to the stairs rather than to the wall, so there is no need to worry about your walls being unable to support the weight of the stair lift, or about causing damage to the the walls. Stair lift rails are made from steel or aluminium. Steel is usually preferred for curved and complex staircases, aluminium for more straightforward installations.
Modern stairlift seats have arm and foot rests that can be folded up when not in use so they will not obstruct the stairs for other people. They are fitted with swivel seats that give greater comfort and flexibility to the user. The stair lift is operated by simple up and down switches set into the arm of the chair. The switches are designed to work with minimum pressure for ease of use, even for people who are visually impaired or who are suffering from arthritis. Remote controls, similar to a TV remote, are also supplied so that the chair can be operated remotely, perhaps to send items up or down the stairs on the stair lift rather than having to carry them.
Factors affecting stair lifts prices
Although this is a relatively new technology, stair lifts prices are already coming down as more and more people realize the benefits of stair lifts for the elderly and the ways in which they can help disabled people to live more active lives.
The most significant factor in determining stairlifts prices is the installation procedure. In each case, the installation will have different considerations, so stair lifts prices will vary according to the type of installation required and the amount of labour necessary to complete the job. Although stair lifts can be fitted to any kind of staircase, it should be borne in mind that stairlifts prices for a curved or spiral staircase are likely to be higher because the installation procedure is more complex.
When you contact a stair lift company with an enquiry about having a stair lift fitted, a representative will personally visit you in your home to discuss your requirements and give you a free quote. If you agree to go ahead, the representative will take measurements of your staircase in order to make a precise computerized diagram of your stairs. The manufacturer can then work from the computer model to make your stair lift to the exact specifications of your staircase. After testing in the factory, the stairlift will be delivered to your home and installed by professional fitters. You will also be given a thorough demonstration of how the stair lift should be operated.
Some stair lifts require very little preparation and are easy to install. Typically these are for straight staircases which require a simple rail attachment. It may even be possible to purchase do it yourself products for straight stairlifts, and this will reduce the cost of stairlifts prices considerably. However, no manufacturer offers a do it yourself product for curved or spiral stairs as these are much more complicated and require a customized installation procedure. The more complex the design of the staircase, the greater the costs of installation incurred and the higher the stairlifts prices will be.
The time taken to complete the installation will also vary according to the complexity of the job and the type of staircases involved. Stair lifts for a straight staircase can generally be prepared within two weeks and fitted within a couple of hours. In the case of a complicated curved or spiral staircase, it will take longer to complete the delivery and installation of the stairlift.
The cost of installing your stair lift may be covered in the best retirement plans by pension annuity calculator and pensioners insurance. You may also qualify for VAT exemption if the stair lift is for domestic use by a person with a chronic illness or disability. Remember to check with the stair lift company that their services qualify for VAT relief. A final point to bear in mind is that stair lifts are also available for rent, which could be ideal if someone needs the stair lift for the short-term, perhaps when recovering from surgery.
When considering stair lifts prices, it makes sense to compare the different manufacturers and to create a budget to find the right stair lift and stair lifts prices to suit your requirements.
