Retired homeowners have a tough time climbing up their stairs. In most cases, owners typically tend to install stair lifts to go upstairs, commandeering all the ease they will need for the future. Installations for stair lifts can be a laborious task. It is highly ill-advised for you to install these machines on your own. Even if you’re up for the challenge, most manufacturers install the stair lift.
Prices of stairlifts for the elderly
Average costs for these sorts of installations usually round up to $2000-$7500. This range includes the price and the labor. High-end custom designed stair lifts may seem redundant, and may be costly, but they’re made to maintain safety. The high-end cost for curved staircases such as these can be priced up to $20000. But the standard installation of a straight stair lift will range about $5000.
| Nation-Wide Average | $5000 |
| Average Cost | $4000 to $8000 |
| Low-End | $2000 |
| High-End | $20000 |
Although the weight capacity of a standard stair lift is about 300 pounds, there are options in stair lifts capable of about 400 to 600 pounds. Remember, these sorts of systems require a motorizing function. So installing the tracks and the seat can be quite complex. Besides the trails, the seats and the other features you may need for your stair lift, you’ll also have to think about the power source.
Within the dimensions of your decisions, carefully consider what kind of stair lift you’ll need. The professional you’ll hire for the job of installing your lift will have all the information and options you’ll need by the end of determining your prerequisites.
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Types of stair lifts
Before installing a stair lift, either for yourself or for a loved one, you need to consider what kind of staircases you have. There are different kinds of staircases in different areas of your home. By identifying the different types of staircases inside your home, it will be that much quicker and that much easier to install the kind of lift you’ll be looking for.
| Types of Stair Lifts | Average Nation-wide Cost |
| Straight Stair Lift | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Curved Stair Lift | $7,500 - $10,000 |
| Outdoor Stair Lift | $5,000 - $7,000 |
| Standing Stair Lift | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Platform Stair Lift | $2,000 - $5,000 |
Straight
The most common type of staircase available in the market is the straight design. For a quick installation of a straight stair lift, the average cost will range from $2000 to $5000. Since this kind of installment doesn’t require any angles to be adjusted or complications to think of, the straight stair lift would be an inexpensive option.
Going up or down is as simplistic as it gets in terms of a staircase or stair lift. With the flick of a switch, you’ll be going up to your second floor or down to your first floor with as much ease as you can think of. Operating your straight stair lift has improved more and more over the years with the advancement in engineering and technology.
Homeowners with limited mobility will have all the navigation they’ll need with the installment of these stair lifts. With all the independence and safety applied in modern day stair lifts, assisting anyone in dire need of elderly care.
Curved
Unlike your conventional straight stair lift, the curved stair lift is a little more expensive. The cost range is between $7500 to $10000. The more elaborate and custom-made your stair lift is, the more expensive the stair lift is bound to be. Since your staircase may be curved, the stair lift will most probably need more time to install. Depending on any additional features you’ll need for any of your stair lift options, the cost may very well be affected.
The main focus in curved stair lifts is to save space. The process in installing a curved stair lift is finding out the requirements your home will need. Figuring out the length and width of your staircase is the key. By precisely sizing up those specifications, the manufacturer will send someone to your home and use a camera to record any necessary measurements.
Outdoor
The cost of an outdoor stair lift will average into a rate of $5000. Although stair lifts have primarily been used for indoor access, the outdoor stair lift was designed to accommodate the needs of going out. Made to weather against all of the many hazards of nature, the stair lift has the durability and ease of use that most stair lifts have.
What really makes the installation of stair lifts so great is that the installation typically only takes about a day or even just a few hours. Unfortunately, since outdoor stair lifts are, well, for the outdoors, installation may take several weeks to complete. Outdoor stair lifts are meant to help those who have trouble walking up their porch or deck. Although homeowners could install a wheelchair ramp, outdoor stair lifts are for individuals who do not own wheelchairs but still have mobility issues.
The outdoor stair lift isn’t just designed for the elements. Most porches and decks have different designs for their stairways as well. So depending on the type of staircase you have to go up to your doorstep, cost factors will change.
Standing
The stepping platforms of standing stair lifts can be very convenient for the homeowners who might have even more mobility issues. Flexibility may be the main issue for some people, and if this is an issue for you then a standing stair lift may be something to watch out for. The cost of a standing stair lift ranges between $3,000 and $5,000.
There is a whole collection of reasons as to why you may want to install a standing stair lift. Whether you’re having knee problems or you have tension in your hips, the standing stair lift is a solution to those impediments. Although a stair lift is already designed for comfort, there will always be those who have other uncomfortable injuries.
An ailment like gout, arthritis, or any joint-stifling issue, is why a standing stair lift might be needed. Keep in mind that standing stair lifts are only available for curved custom designs. Standing stair lifts need balance through the user and requires an immobilizer switch. The top landing of a standing stair lift needs the flexibility of a curved railing.
Platform
The platform stair lift can be installed for the usage of both curved and straight types of staircases. The cost range for a platform stair lift can be around $2000 to $5000. These types of stair lifts can be used for people who own wheelchairs. Most stair lifts are made for those who wish to maintain a sense of independence.
Battery-Powered Chair
This is the cheaper option in the installation. The battery-powered stair lift can average into a cost of around $2000 to $3000. Unlike the electric powered stair lift, the charge of a battery-powered stair lift relies solely on a base station.
Electric Powered Chair
A little pricier than the battery-powered stair lift, the electric powered stair lift ranges in cost from around $3000 to $5000. The installation on an electric powered stair lift may require you to install a basic 110-volt outlet at either the top or bottom of the stairway. The outlets may need the expertise of an electrician.
Additional Options
Homeowners that don’t have a caretaker or a nurse by their side will most likely require some of these features. If there is major concern of the person falling out from their seat, a safety belt and swivel seat might be something to add onto their installation.
Types of Swivel Seats
The engineers of different manufacturers keep in mind that all of their seats might need a “one-size-fits-all” rule. Most models do come with an adjustable seat height included, but there are quite two seats you might want to consider when looking for swivel seats. The chair for stairs cost varies on whether you purchase manual seats or powered swivel seats.
Manual Swivel Seats
The standard seat that comes with every stair lift is the manual swivel seat. It rotates the chair around for anyone who needs to sit on the cushions. As it rotates, it locks into position after you move around and find the right position to sit. A manual swivel seat is mainly for people who have no difficulty with the range of movement and those who understand how to operate its lever.
Powered Swivel Seats
The convenience of a powered swivel seat gives the user more convenience. It is meant for narrow hallways. A momentous example of engineering, the powered swivel seat utilizes a two-way swivel. For spaces that are likely restrictive, the fit for powered swivel seats can swivel from the top or bottom of the stairs.
Safety belts
The difference in seatbelts is a whole other matter to consider. If you’re looking for a standard clip seatbelt, like the standard manual swivel seat, the standard clip is yet another “one-size-fits-all”. The seat belts can be adjusted to fit just about anyone. While it hangs on both ends of the chosen seat, all you need to do would be to adjust the belt to your waist size. Once you adjust it, you can then clip or unclip it by squeezing in the parts.
If you want a seat belt that automatically fits, you should look into a reeling seatbelt. It creates a sudden and quick motion to secure you or your loved one onto the seat. The four-point harness has a release button that prevents any unpredictable circumstance that may befall the user. The five-point harness probably offers the most security for the rider. It was engineered with a release mechanism that ensures the rider from any mistaken accidents.
Buying a New stair lift vs an Old stair lift
If you’re worried about the cost of your stair lift installation, remember that some medicare plans will go that extra mile you’ll need to cross. Alas, the original Medicare plan does not pay for stair lifts, however, you may have more options than you think. There are policies with intent to help retired homeowners with offers of copayments and deductibles.
For those with less capacity in expenditures, an old reused stair lift is half the price of a new one. By halving the cost, the range can ultimately transform between $1000 to $1500. Although this may be a cheaper option, remember that you’ll need to pay a professional for the installations.
Number of Steps
How many steps does your staircase have? Depending on your response, the cost of installing your stair lift can stay the same or go much higher. The standard staircase most often has 14 steps and that’s what the standard stair lift is designed for. Any more than the 14 steps could affect your budget.
Since stair lifts have the most reliance on the rails, the longer your rails need to be, the higher your price will increase. Remember, it isn’t the wall that the installation is going to be focusing on, it’s the length and number of steps your stairway holds. An installer needs to fasten brackets onto some of the treads, this will also affect the customizability of your stair lift.
Renting Rather than Buying
If you’re not looking into buying a completely new stair lift model, and you’re considering the rental of the model instead, then the average will range from $100 to $380 a month. This option is mostly for people who only need a stair lift for a short while. Although this is a less expensive route to take, most manufacturers will charge you for a deposit of $1000.
Rental programs are always available for anyone with the need of a stair lift.
Maintenance and Warranties
An annual cost of $100-$200 might be required when it comes to yearly maintenance checks. You’ll want to make sure that the stair lift is working properly and most of all, if it’s working safely. Depending on the decision of which model and company you decide to pay for, a warranty may require you to pay an annual charge. Some models, however, will offer a lifetime warranty.
Make Sure to Know How to Safely Get on Your Stair Lift Chair
Like sitting on any other seat, you can sit on your stair lift regularly but to make sure you sit down safely you need to keep in mind that there is a bottom and top landing. The top and bottom landings are differently designed for each custom stair lift. Remember to be informed how they differ when purchasing and installing a stair lift.
Bottom Landing
Verify that your armrests and seat are folded down and locked, make sure your hands can reach the armrests and that the back of your knees are touching the front of your seat. As you sit down, manually fold the footrest down with your hand or feet.
Top Landing
The armrests, seat and footrest need to be folded down, while you push the seat lever to swivel the chair at a 90 degree angle, it’ll lock in. Fasten your seat belt, once it’s fastened, you can swivel the seat back into place for another safe ride.
Buy Online and DIY
You can always buy a used or an old stair lift through major companies, but you can also buy them online. However, be forewarned, although the costs may be less than the costs of a reputable provider, there are some disadvantages buying online. The reason why ordering a stair lift online can be quite a burden is because the cost of installation and the cost for delivery are not included.
The DIY method with stair lifts is available, however, this is inadvisable to execute by yourself. Certifications are commonly earned by technicians to bring the parts and install them into your home. Although this is a cost-saving route, there is nothing better than knowing your stair lift is safely installed and secured.
Hiring a Professional Through House Tipster
Costs will always vary when you come across a stair lift and need to install it, consider looking into hiring an installer with House Tipster. Find the right installer for your stair lift needs. How much does a stair lift cost? Find out from professionals in your area.
