Top Questions to Ask About Your Stairlift Installation

Before you sign on the dotted line for a home stairlift, there are some important questions to ask about its installation. Here we take a look at some installation essentials you need to be sure of before making your decision.

Before you sign on the dotted line for a home stairlift, there are some important questions to ask about its installation. Here we take a look at some installation essentials you need to be sure of before making your decision.  

How long will the installation work take? With a simple straight stairlift, the installation is usually done and dusted within a couple of hours. For a curved stairlift, it’ll take longer, but it’s unlikely to be a full working day. Make sure you ask in advance, especially if you need to stay close to the bathroom while the work is carried out. 

Will there be much disruption? It depends on the type of stairlift you’ve chosen, specifically the stairlift rail. Most rails are fixed to the stairs, not the wall, and staircases are solidly built. A few companies fix their rails to the wall running alongside the staircase, which means more disruptive structural work. 

How long will I have to wait? If you need a stairlift in a hurry you need to ask this question early. Some companies can install your stairlift the very next day, or you might have to wait weeks. It depends on the company and the type of stairlift you need. Most suppliers should be able to fit a straight stairlift (one running on a straight rail) within days, or even the next day, provided they have the means. That’s because they only need to cut a standard straight stairlift rail to the right length for your staircase. Things get more complicated if you need a curved stairlift (one with a non-standard rail that goes around bends or corners). Waiting times for a curved stairlift might run into several weeks while a one-off curved rail is made in a factory. One exception is Acorn Stairlifts, which uses a patented modular rail system for its curved stairlifts. This enables a bespoke rail to be assembled in your house using specific rail sections identified during your survey. It means a curved stairlift can be installed just days after your order. 

Who’ll do the installation? You’ll entrust your safety (or that of a loved one) to your stairlift, so you need to be confident it’s been properly installed. If you buy direct from a manufacturer, chances are it will use its own engineers to install and service your stairlift. They’ll be trained in-house to be experts in the branded product. If you buy from a mobility retailer, it might have access to the manufacturer’s engineers if it’s a licensed dealer, or it might use sub-contractors to do the work. You must ask the question and be confident that the person who installs your stairlift is qualified for the job. 

Do I need to prepare in advance? Most stairlifts are sold to older people who might struggle with physical work. In general, you shouldn’t have to carry out any preparation work in your home prior to your installation – it should all be handled by the installer.  There are some exceptions, but if that’s the case it should be fully explained during your home survey before you commit to buy. For example, you might need an electrician to fit a new domestic power socket for the stairlift. It’s rare for indoor stairlifts but more common with outdoor ones. 

Will I need to clean up and redecorate after my installation? Reputable installers clean up after themselves, so you shouldn’t have to. If your stairlift rail is fixed to the stairs you shouldn’t need to redecorate either. Some minor changes to your home might be needed, such as removing a staircase handrail if your stairs are very narrow. Any necessary changes should be pointed out during your initial home survey. 

Will I get a demonstration of the stairlift? Once the stairlift’s been installed, the person who did the job should give you a full demonstration of how to use it, and let you try it out. They shouldn’t leave until you’re entirely happy with your new stairlift, and even then you should have a contact number in case any questions or issues arise later. Make sure you ask about ongoing customer support after installation. 

Will my installation be Covid-safe? During the current pandemic, it’s vital that anyone coming into your home observes Covid-safe protocols. People who need a stairlift are often at greater risk from Covid-19, due to being older or having existing health conditions. Ask your supplier what measures they’ve put in place to combat the spread of the virus.