Reconditioned Versus New Stairlifts – Which Is Right For You?

The purchase of a stairlift is a big commitment. So you’ll want to make sure you’re making the most of your investment. This leads to the decision of whether to buy a new or a reconditioned stairlift.

Buying new gives you peace of mind and a longer warranty. New parts are easier to replace and a brand new piece of equipment should last longer than a second hand one, and give you fewer problems.

But on the other hand, a reconditioned stairlift can give you years of faithful service and allow you to make huge savings. Here at UK Stairlifts we pride ourselves on the quality of our reconditioned stairlifts. We only use the very best makes and models for reconditioning and stand by our 2 year warranty. This is offered on all our reconditioned units. This means you’re covered for call outs, parts and labour. So should there be any issues we’ve got you covered!

Reconditioned Versus New Stairlifts – Which Is Right For You?

The other factor to consider is build quality of a stairlift. A reconditioned stairlift from a better manufacturer can last longer (and perform better) than a cheaper brand stairlift which is brand new. See our article “Which Are The Best Stairlifts?“.

We only choose the very best makes and models for reconditioning such as Stannah and Thyssen (Access BDD).

For straight stairlifts we generally use Stannah stairlifts for a number of reasons:

• Best build quality – Stannah’s ride position is further back, allowing them more room to be fitted on narrow staircases.
• Pivot point – Stannah’s chair pivot point is dead central which again lets it be fitted on difficult and tight spaces. Other chairs have off-set pivot point which causes space issues on tight staircases.
• Weight limits – Stannah have a higher weight capacity which means a stronger motor. It can carry up to 22 stone. Most stairlifts are only weighted to 19 stone. This gives it more durability, even if weight isn’t an issue from the get-go.
• Drive racking is hidden – the drive racking on a Stannah is underside which means you don’t see it. This is more appealing visually in your home.

Reconditioned Versus New Stairlifts – Cost

Obviously, reconditioned stairlifts cost much less than their brand new counterparts. A quick look at stairlift prices will tell you the savings which can be made.

A brand new stairlift installation will start from £1,850 (straight) and from £4,990 for a curved stairlift. Whereas our reconditioned stairlifts start at £1,250 and £3,500 (straight and curved respectively). Depending on your staircase configuration and the specific make and model, you can make savings of up to 50%.

When you’re making such savings the question which comes to mind is “are reconditioned stairlifts as good”? Our answer is a resounding “yes” because:

• We only choose the very best quality and make of stairlifts for reconditioning
• We thoroughly test and refurbish each model we use, replacing any parts where needed and giving them brand new batteries – (the main cause of problems).
• We give all our reconditioned stairlifts a full 2 year warranty. So you’ve covered for parts, call-outs, servicing and labour.

Benefits Of Buying New

There is of course the counter argument that buying a new stairlift is better – but it also depends on the make/model you purchase. Some stairlifts definitely are better than others. However, that aside, a brand new model comes with a longer warranty, (usually of 3 years). Newer parts are less prone to fault/failure and for some this is the peace of mind they really need from such an important mobility aid.

With a new stairlift you can also choose specifications without the limitation of “whatever is in stock”. So you can build your stairlift up the way you want, including choosing fabric colours and even rail colour if you choose. See our specs on the Flow X stairlift here as an example.

Summary

So what are the main points to consider when thinking about purchasing a new or reconditioned stairlift?

• Cost – a reconditioned stairlift can allow you to make substantial savings
• Reliability – reconditioned stairlifts can be just as reliable and ours come with a 2 year warranty
• A new stairlift has a longer warranty
• Some makes and models will out perform and out live others.

If you’re ready to have a chat give us a call on 0800 046 3438. Or download our stairlift guide for more help and advice on the best stairlift to choose: