Our bones deteriorate as we grow older. We will then experience a lot of difficulty in doing our daily routines and tasks. We will experience pain we never felt when we were still young. One problem of the elderly ones, especially if they have a two-storey house, is the difficulty in going up and down the stairs. They usually experience pain in their knees when they go up or down. Fortunately, there is a solution to that, and that is by having a Stair Lift.
A stair lift or also known as chair lift is an addition to your house that is proven to be very useful. It is a seat that is motorized and runs up or down your stairs’ rail or track. It provides easy access upstairs or downstairs for people who have difficulty in using the stairs. Now, you might wonder as to how much does a stair lift cost?
Average Stairlift Cost
A stair lift is a good solution for people who have a problem with their mobility and have trouble with steps. It could also be used to deliver groceries or other heavy items upstairs or downstairs. There is a great variation in stair lift prices in the market.
A straight stair that has no turns and landings is priced around $1,000 up to $2,500. Usually, this price is for a model that is intended for a DIY installation. This is also the price range posted in online shops such as Amazon.
If you want a professional to install the stair lift, stair lift prices for straight staircases would run around $2,000 up to $5,000. You can buy them from dealers who will include installation. Usually, stair lifts are commonly used indoors. If you want a stair lift for your outdoor stair, the cost would be higher than the average. There are a lot of options you can choose for your stair lift:
- You can choose a stair lift that has an adjustable seat and has a footrest.
- There are also stair lifts that can be folded in order for you to save space.
- Usually, stair lifts have a weight capacity of around 300 pounds (136 kilograms). But you can choose a stair lift that has higher weight capacity. Usually around 375 up to 500 pounds (170 kilograms up to 226 kilograms)
- There are also stair lifts that have a security lock. Security lock is used to limit people in using the stair lift.
Not all staircases are straight. Some homes have curved stairs and landings. If your house has a curved staircase with at least one turn, you will need a custom-engineered stair lift. Stair lift cost for this one would run around $5,000 up to $15,000.
In buying a stair lift, you will need to consider a lot of factors that will affect the total cost:
- Number one factor is the size and the shape of your staircase.
- Your needs will also affect the price. Each people have different needs regarding the weight capacity and the height of the stair lift.
- Of course, the local rates for the labor are also a factor in a stair lift installation.
Extra Costs
Normally, stair lifts are operated with the use of electricity. But there are stair lifts that are operated with the use of a battery. This type of stair lift would need a battery replacement every 2 up to 3 years. The battery replacement would run around $50 up to $100.
Maintenance is also needed for your stair lift. Usually, professionals require maintenance every year. Oiling is the most common type of maintenance. If your stair lift is operated by electricity, usually you will have to pay $6 annually.
How to Choose a Stair Lift
Now that you know how much does a stair lift cost, you should have an idea on how to choose the perfect staircase for you.
You can choose a stair lift with an Economy Chair if you are saving money. Usually, this type of stair lift chair has the minimum safety features required. The controls are also basic and simple. The economy chair also has limited choices of colors and styles.
If you have a lot of budget, you can choose the Premium Chair. Premium chairs are models specifically designed to have balance in the decoration of your house. They are also designed to look like furniture. You can also choose a lot of custom in their color and could also choose a wood trim. Premium chairs also offer extra security features. It also has extra control features such as a button for the folding of the footrest and a power seat spin. You can also add an retracting automatic rail if you want to.
Inclusions
When you want a stair lift installed at your home, you should make sure that your staircase is still in a good condition. Normally, installation of a stair lift doesn’t require major structural alterations to your home. If you hire a professional, the installation would take around 2 up to 4 hours.
Lifting a reasonable quantity of weight is also involved in the installation. If you do the installation by yourself, it would take a lot of time. Although, a lot of people report that they successfully installed the stair lift on their own but it is recommended to hire a professional to ensure your safety. There are also areas that will require a permit when you install a stair lift.
Nowadays, stair lifts that are powered by batteries are the most common; it is because it still works even if your area experiences a power outage. If you are buying from a dealer, you can expect to see a showroom where you can try all their different stair lifts.
In choosing a stair lift, make sure to choose the one that has at least 5 up to 10 years warranty on their parts. There are also stair lifts that offer a lifetime warranty on their gearbox (assembly of the motor) or the drive train.
When it comes to stair lifts, the most famous company that sells them is Stannah.
Renting
If you are just renting a house, you can also rent stair lifts. They are available at your local retail stores. However, remember that you also need to pay the initial installation fee. Most of them will have a weekly or monthly rental fee. The removal of the stair lift is also included in the overall cost. Usually, it will cost you $866 per year when you rent a stair lift. You should also remember that you should not have a curved staircase if you will rent one.
Tip on Saving Money
If you want to save money, some manufacturers sell second-hand stair lifts. They are normally cheaper than the brand new ones. They also have at least 1-year guarantee and they sometimes even offer free service. To be safe, it would be best if you buy a used stair lift that is reconditioned by a well-known retailer. You should also at least ask them if:
- They can provide a safety assurance that the stair lift has underwent conditioning tests.
- The full history of the stair lift.
- You should also ask them for a money back guarantee.