Are refurbished stair lifts a good idea? What are they like compared to a brand new stairlift? What savings can you make and is it worth it in the long run? Or, do reconditioned stairlifts cost more later if they break down?!
To answer all these questions and more we’ve put together this post about refurbished stair lifts to give you everything you need to know!
What Are Refurbished Stair Lifts?
Refurbished, or reconditioned stairlifts are previously used stairlifts that have been restored to be as close to “new” as possible. On the surface, you would struggle to tell the difference between a reconditioned stairlift and a new one.
The upholstery of the chair is cleaned and restored to remove any imperfections. Underneath the “bonnet”, a refurbished stairlift is given a new battery and fully tested. All parts of a refurbished stairlift are thoroughly inspected and must pass safety and quality checks. If a part is faulty it is replaced with a new one.
At UK Stairlifts, we only buy the best second hand stairlifts to restore. All are stripped down, cleaned and rebuilt to the highest standards in our factory.
Why Buy A Refurbished Stairlift? Savings
Refurbished stairlifts are becoming ever more popular because you can make massive savings compared to buying a brand new model. Depending on your choice of stairlift, and the configuration of your stairs, you can save 30-50% compared to buying brand new. Take a look at our stairlift prices to see the difference.
That’s one of the biggest draws to buying second hand.
Will A Refurbished Stairlift Last?
Of course with second hand stairlifts, the parts aren’t all brand new, although some are replaced with completely new parts in our factory. This means they can be more likely to have problems later on, or a shorter lifespan.
However, we only buy the best second hand models to recondition and we give our stairlifts a full overhaul, replacing batteries and bringing them up to a very high standard before they can be sold.
We fully guarantee all our refurbished stairlifts for a minimum of 2 years. This means if anything should go wrong, you’re fully covered!
All parts, labour and call out charges are covered for 2 years so you can have total peace of mind.
Why Buy New?
A brand new stairlift will have a longer warrantee, of usually 3 years. The parts are newer too and can be simpler to replace than those of a reconditioned stairlift which will have older parts.
Buying new also means you can choose more customisation. So if you wanted a particular colour, for example, you have greater choice when buying new.
New lift customisation options include things such as electric chair swivel, and storage options and even integrated call feature to connect your stairlift to your phone, on certain models. However the main benefit of buying new for most customers is the extended warrantee and peace of mind.
Environmentally Sound & Sustainable
Buying a second hand stairlift is also kinder to the environment too. Many stairlifts which we use for reconditioning are like new and have only had a small amount of use. To discard them would be wasteful. Far better to give them a new life when there’s years left in them.
When most of a used stairlift is like new, only a few small parts may need changing in order to bring it up to spec. Compared to the time and resources which go into creating a brand new stairlift, this is far more efficient.
Buying Process New Versus Refurbished Stairlift
The buying process is exactly the same whether you buy a new or refurbished stairlift. Get your stairlift by picking up the phone and giving us a call on 0800 046 3438.
So there’s no more hassle if you opt for a reconditioned stairlift than when buying brand new. Either way, there may be a waiting period depending on your staircase layout and requirements for a customised rail.
Summary
The main things to consider when you’re weighing up whether to buy a new or reconditioned stairlift are:
- Budget – how much you want to spend
- Availability – whether the model you want is available
- Customisation – whether you need a specific model with certain specifications for example, specific colours or optional extras
- Personal preferences – warrantee and peace of mind
- How long you need it for – rent or buy, new or reconditioned
Are refurbished stair lifts a good idea? We think so and so do our customers. Our reconditioned stairlifts are our most popular purchase. Customers can make big savings compared to buying brand new and our 2 year warrantee gives you complete peace of mind. See also which stairlift to choose.