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Stairlift Advice
11 Answers
I am looking at a second hand stair lift for my Mum's house. It's from a private seller. How do I find someone to fit it? There are companies galore that offer reconditioned stair lifts with fitting included. Any advice would really be appreciated & if anyone out there has done something similar, a guide to the cost of installation would be helpful. Thank you.
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Contact the local frailty team through social services (I'm assuming your mother is elderly ) or age concern . Having been through this myself for my now deceased mother I found that they were very helpful as the ultimate aim is to keep elderly people safe in their own homes thus cutting down the need for hospital admissions through falls etc.
I am dubious about buying from a private seller & have started looking into the rental option. Even though my Mum is 92, has had 2 heart attacks, an aneurysm, is partially sighted & currently sleeping downstairs, the family have been told that her chances of getting one through social services are almost zero & if we apply it could take months even to get an assessment. Thanks you so much for everyone who sent such swift advice.
.. A few things to consider ..
As a substantial piece of equipment it would have to be installed properly.. (no extension leads). Who will remove it from it's current location and transport it.. Is it a straight run up the stairs .. is the track the right length .. do you have an easily adapted power supply. Does the lift have wall fixings.. are the walls suitable to accept fixings if need be... Is there a suitable area for the lift to land. These are just some of the things you need to consider before you buy second hand. You would need an installer and possibly an electrician. As it is second hand you will have no warranty.. buyer beware !
I'm afraid stairlifts were notorious for failing.. usually because the owner had not carried on with an annual service. If it does fit and it does breakdown you will not get a supplier/repairer to touch it as they never installed it in the first place .. it's a liability thing.
The charity I worked for drew up specs. and arranged for the installation of stairlifts from various direct suppliers. Often I was asked to remove them when the time came.
It amazes me that most of the companies that I have dealt with were reluctant to do anything other than sell you a stair lift and get you tied into a maintenance insurance scheme.
The last one I was asked to remove had been installed at a cost of £12,000 while a gentleman was in hospital, It was a surprise for his return.. sadly he never returned.. the stairlift had never been used !
The gentlemans wife told me she had contacted the installers and asked them to remove it and take it away. They said they could'nt help and suggested she got a handyman to dispose of it ... It was of no use to them !
It was removed and taken to the local scrapyard.
As a substantial piece of equipment it would have to be installed properly.. (no extension leads). Who will remove it from it's current location and transport it.. Is it a straight run up the stairs .. is the track the right length .. do you have an easily adapted power supply. Does the lift have wall fixings.. are the walls suitable to accept fixings if need be... Is there a suitable area for the lift to land. These are just some of the things you need to consider before you buy second hand. You would need an installer and possibly an electrician. As it is second hand you will have no warranty.. buyer beware !
I'm afraid stairlifts were notorious for failing.. usually because the owner had not carried on with an annual service. If it does fit and it does breakdown you will not get a supplier/repairer to touch it as they never installed it in the first place .. it's a liability thing.
The charity I worked for drew up specs. and arranged for the installation of stairlifts from various direct suppliers. Often I was asked to remove them when the time came.
It amazes me that most of the companies that I have dealt with were reluctant to do anything other than sell you a stair lift and get you tied into a maintenance insurance scheme.
The last one I was asked to remove had been installed at a cost of £12,000 while a gentleman was in hospital, It was a surprise for his return.. sadly he never returned.. the stairlift had never been used !
The gentlemans wife told me she had contacted the installers and asked them to remove it and take it away. They said they could'nt help and suggested she got a handyman to dispose of it ... It was of no use to them !
It was removed and taken to the local scrapyard.
Hi Catholic
I'm with 237SJ on this one - don't trust Acorn. I say this because of a past experience. Some years ago, my late Mother in Law needed a stairlift. We contacted Acorn who sent out a rep. Once he had had worked out the cost, I asked if they had a "Buy Back" scheme, to which he replied yes and that we would get a very good deal should the need arise. The stairlift was installed at a cost of £2,200. A week after it was installed she passed away. When I contacted Acorn a couple of weeks later they said yes they would buy it back - for £400 !!! Also, if I just wanted it removed it would cost £300 !! I later, with a friend's help, took it out and fitted it in his home for his son who has MS - it's still being used to this day. So, I would strongly advocate renting one, you could end up with a stairlift that nobody needs. Hope this helps.
FBG40
I'm with 237SJ on this one - don't trust Acorn. I say this because of a past experience. Some years ago, my late Mother in Law needed a stairlift. We contacted Acorn who sent out a rep. Once he had had worked out the cost, I asked if they had a "Buy Back" scheme, to which he replied yes and that we would get a very good deal should the need arise. The stairlift was installed at a cost of £2,200. A week after it was installed she passed away. When I contacted Acorn a couple of weeks later they said yes they would buy it back - for £400 !!! Also, if I just wanted it removed it would cost £300 !! I later, with a friend's help, took it out and fitted it in his home for his son who has MS - it's still being used to this day. So, I would strongly advocate renting one, you could end up with a stairlift that nobody needs. Hope this helps.
FBG40
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