Don’t Forget Your Stairlift Warranty and Aftercare

A stairlift is a complex machine, with a range of moving parts. Like any machine, they need routine Servicing to keep them in good working order. Here are some points to think about:

When choosing a stairlift don’t forget about its ongoing care and maintenance to protect your investment. A stairlift is a complex machine, with a range of mechanical and electronic components and moving parts. Like any machine, they need routine maintenance and servicing to keep them in good working order. Also, it will cause the parts to eventually be replaced, such as the rechargeable battery packs which power most stairlifts. If you or a loved one will be reliant on the stairlift, you must have a safety net in place in case something goes wrong with it. You need the peace of mind that comes from knowing an emergency stairlift repair will be quickly and expertly carried out. Here are some points to think about:  

New stairlifts, and some reconditioned ones, come with a warranty or guarantee from the manufacturer or, in some cases, the retailer. It’s important to understand what’s covered by the warranty and how long it lasts.  If buying a brand new stairlift, look for one which comes with a comprehensive warranty. This will typically cover the costs of all callouts, repairs, parts, and labor for a set period. It should last for at least 12 months, although some suppliers offer longer warranties as an incentive to buy their products.  

The type of warranty you get might depend on whether you buy your stairlift direct from the manufacturer or through a mobility retailer. Buying direct from a manufacturer should ensure you have direct access to genuine replacement parts. This can allow service maintenance to be done quickly and efficiently. Some manufacturers employ their own network of skilled and experienced stairlift engineers for both install new stairlifts and routine maintenance. This brings the reassurance that any repairs will be professionally serviced by someone who knows the product inside out.  

Look for a supplier with a proven track record of prompt and efficient aftersales service. It's better if it's a company that is available to its customers 365 days-a-year. You need to know any breakdown will be dealt with promptly, whenever it might happen. But what happens after the warranty supplied with your stairlift runs out? Most manufacturer or retailer warranties expire after one or two years. But your stairlift should last for many more years with proper care and maintenance. That’s why you should look for a supplier that offers ‘extended warranties’ and/or ‘annual service agreements’.   

As its name suggests, an ‘extended warranty’ prolongs the period for which the warranty covers the stairlift against any fault. Some suppliers offer the option of an extended warranty at the point of purchase (or shortly afterward). While this is an extra cost, it also keeps your stairlift covered against any defect for a longer period. In other cases, a new warranty or an annual service agreement might be offered after the original warranty runs out. Again, this is an extra cost which you should be aware of when buying the stairlift.   

Some suppliers offer different levels of cover at different price points. For example, a basic agreement might only cover the cost of an annual service for your stairlift. This should keep it in good working order, but any replacement parts or other emergency callouts will need to be paid for at extra cost. A premium agreement might cover the cost of all callouts, parts, and labor as well as the annual service, but this higher level of cover will cost more. Speak to your chosen stairlift supplier about what type of warranty is supplied with the product. What level of cover is available after the original warranty expires, who will do the work, and how much it will cost? An extended warranty or annual service agreement is an extra cost you might not have considered, but it’s usually the most cost-effective way to cover ongoing stairlift maintenance or repair fees.