If you’re looking for a stairlift survey, we offer free nationwide surveys for stairlift installation throughout the UK. In certain cases, you may not need survey. For example if you have a straight staircase, we can sometimes give you a quote over the phone from photographs of your staircase. With other, more complex staircases, we’ll need to call to your house. We may even require a photo survey of your staircase, depending on the complexity.
A photo-survey of your staircase is most likely needed where a complex stairlift installation is required. For example, with a very narrow or difficult stairlift fitting. In most cases, this isn’t required.
Stairlift Survey
A stairlift survey involves taking a number of measurements to determine the best solution for your mobility needs in your home. Sometimes a stairlift is fitted to the outside of a staircase, and sometime it is fitted “internally”, meaning the stairlift attaches to the inside of the staircase, rather than the outside.
Depending on the complexity of your staircase, measurements may need to be taken of the surrounding walls, the ceiling and the staircase length.
Stairlift Survey – Internal Versus External
On the left is an example of an external rail and on the right you can see an internal rail. The external rail runs on the outside of the staircase. The internal rail runs around the inside, around the bannister rail. During the stairlift survey, the engineer will take measurements and inspect your staircase to determine which is the most appropriate solution.
Sometimes this will be determined by other obstacles in the home, such as doorways and corridors. Here you can see an internal rail going in on this staircase. This was chosen because an external rail would have blocked the extension room, so wasn’t possible.
In this video you can see the whole stairlift installation process from the stairlift survey to the final fitting:
Stairlift Survey – A Very Close Fit
Here’s another stairlift survey we carried out in West Yorkshire. With this one, a photo-survey was required to determine whether the stairlift would actually cope with this very narrow and awkward staircase. In the video below you can see the engineer mapping out the path of the stairlift to determine whether it was possible.
You’ll also see Scott taking measurements of the client. This was to determine the leg length which was necessary with this fitting in determining the turning circle at the top of the stairs and whether it was going to be a problem.
This particular fitting was touch-and-go! The Flow X stairlift is the most nimble stairlift on the market! It is our “go-to” stairlift with difficult configurations like this one. However, even this stairlift has its limitations. Luckily the photo-survey confirmed it was possible. But as you can see, the rail is very steep in order to make it feasible.
What Measurements Are Taken For A Stairlift Survey?
We always need to do a survey with a curved staircase, but you may be able to take some photos for a straight staircase which we can use to determine the stairlift measurements.
The measurements we will require are the width of the staircase at the narrowest point, and the straight measurement from top to bottom of the stairs. Measurement of the staircase length is from landing “nose” (where the landing drops off) straight down the stairs touching all the stair “noses” on the way down and just touching the floor.
For the width, find the narrowest point on the staircase. This is often from the newel post to the wall/bannister rail. Other useful pictures should show the top and bottom of the staircase, with any obstacles, and a picture of the whole staircase.
We offer free UK wide surveys so give us a call if you need one on 0800 046 3438.
How Long Does A Survey Take?
A survey usually takes between 1 and 2 hours depending on your staircase complexity. With a photo survey it can even take longer. Generally though for a straight staircase it will only take an hour. A curved staircase will take a little longer – between 1 and 2 hours.
With a photo-survey, markers are placed at key points around the staircase. Pictures are then taken and uploaded create a digital layout of the staircase. This is then computer mapped by the stairlift manufacturer. They determine the feasibility of the stairlift and manufacture the rail according to the staircase layout.
Book a Free Survey With Us!
If you’re ready to book a survey, we offer free stairlift installation surveys nationwide. Call us on 0800 046 3438 or contact us online here.
See some of our installations on our YouTube channel here.