What should you expect when having a stairlift installation? Having a stairlift installed can be a big decision to make towards the improvement of your home. It can give you greater mobility and allow you to stay in the home you love! But what should you expect from a stairlift installation?
How long will it take and how quickly can an engineer come to fit it? Will it damage the walls? In this post we will be covering these questions so you’re fully prepared for a stairlift installation with no surprises!
Stairlift Installation: Preparation
There are a number of considerations you may have to make before having a stairlift installed in your home.
For example should you buy new or invest in a reconditioned stairlift? Is your home appropriate for a stairlift, or are there any alternatives to a stairlift?
Is there enough room for a stairlift in your home?
A retractable stairlift folds up, giving you more space for using the staircase normally. This should definitely be considered if others are using the house and you need to keep the staircase free from obstruction.
Narrow Staircase?
A stairlift can cause obstructions to a staircase or hallway. This should be considered if other people will be regularly using the stairs.
Do you have a particularly narrow staircase? If you’re concerned your staircase is too narrow for a stairlift, don’t worry. Often we can recommend a stairlift which is designed specifically for the awkward or narrow staircase.
Our Thyssen models are particularly recommended for such a scenario. They have a retractable seat and folding arms. While many models face the wall when elevating or descending the stairs, Thyssen A or X models allow you to rotate on the stairwell, giving you more leg room.
See also our article on stairlifts for narrow stairs.
Stairlift Installation – Power
How the stairlift will be powered is also an issue that you should consider. Is there a mains socket already nearby? Otherwise, you may have to hire an electrician to fit one before the stairlift can be installed. This can increase costs and the time of the installation.
Often one of our trained engineers may be able to connect a stairlift to a power outlet nearby, even if one isn’t immediately near the top or bottom of the stairs.
Does Your Staircase Have Any Handrails?
You may also have to remove any handrails that are on the staircase in order to make room for the upwards and downwards movement. This can sometimes be done by one of our engineers, depending on the handrail.
Overall, you need to consider whether your home is the right fit for a stairlift before work can begin. Our trained staff can help advise you on any issues you might be facing.
Certain handrails are easier to remove than others, to allow the free movement of a stairlift up and down the stairs. Be aware that if you have a handrail on the staircase you intend to install a stairlift, this may need to be removed and this may leave some small repair work.
Certain handrails are simple to remove, with minimum damage. However some properties have handrails which pose greater issues. Some stairlifts can even be fitted while a handrail remains in place, although this usually means taking more space away from the staircase, so it’s less suitable for a narrow staircase.
Stairlift Installation: How Long Will It Take?
It is easy to think that an installation of a stairlift would be a prolonged experience, taking weeks! However, this is definitely not the case! Most stairlifts can be installed within a single day, if not just a few hours!
The time it takes for a stairlift installation will depend on a few factors but mostly it will depend on the staircase you have. If you have a simple track, then the installation may only take a couple of hours. A straight staircase, for example is much simpler and often the rails come in packs, so they are easy to assemble. A more complicated track can take a few hours, depending on the configuration of the staircase.
With multiple floors and landings, it’s obviously going to a take longer than a simple straight flight of stairs. But in general, with a single flight of stairs, it should only take a couple of hours to fit.
How Long Before I Get My Stairlift?
This is often asked question of our customers. “How long will it take to get someone to come and fit your stairlift?” In most cases, a stairlift can be fitted with a week or two. Depending on the availability of our engineers, it can also happen more quickly, sometimes within a few days.
This will also depend on the complexity of your stairlift. In certain cases, a modular stairlift rail can be used which is pre-fabricated. A prefabricated rail comes in sections which can be assembled to fit most staircases.
With more complicated staircases, or with specific stairlift models, a rail may need to be ordered to fit your specific staircase or a certain stairlift model. In this case, it will likely take a little longer when parts are needed ordering to certain specifications.
In general though, you should be able to book an engineer to fit a stairlift within a few days or weeks. If you are wanting a stairlift very quickly, speak to one of our staff and we will be able to advise you. Call us on 0800 046 3438 and speak to one of our helpful staff members!
Noise, Disruption & Damage
Another concern you may have is the disruption, mess or noise that having a stairlift installed may have on your home. Our engineers here at UK Stairlifts work to keep the disruption to a minimum. We always aim to leave your home exactly as we find it. With the only addition being your new stairlift!
The stairlift rail needs fitting securely and this will usually involve use of power tools. So there will be some noise!
There will be some disruption, but we aim to keep this to a minimum. In most cases it only takes a few hours for a fitting, and you’ll be up and running the same day!
If a handrail is removed there is sometimes some superficial decorating work which may need to be done once we have completed the install.
Will The Stairlift Attach To The Wall?
There is often the concern that a stairlift will need to be attached to the wall and that this can cause some damage. However, this isn’t the case! The stairlift rail will be attached securely to the staircase, not the wall!
As you can see in the picture below, the stairlift rail has “feet” which attach directly to the stairs. All the weight is therefore placed on the stairs themselves and there’s none on the walls.
So the only likely damage that may occur to the wall is if there’s a hand rail which needs to be removed. Handrails will generally need to be removed to allow the stairlift to sit comfortably against the wall and move freely.
In the pictures below you can see the handrail has been removed to allow the stairlift to move freely. This can leave a bit of superficial decorating work to be done after the installation.
Stairlift Cost With Installation
Of course a common query in regards to a stairlift is “What does a stairlift cost with installation?”
This will depend on whether you buy one of our new stairlifts or opt for one of our reconditioned stairlifts. Our reconditioned stairlifts offer a more cost effective solution to improving your mobility in the home and are backed by a 2 year warrantee.
New stairlifts with installation start at £1350 and reconditioned stairlifts start at £990. The cost will depend on your staircase type and the model of stairlift you choose.
See stairlift prices for more on cost.
If you would like to talk about your options further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team by calling 0800 046 3438 or email us at info@stairlifts.uk.net and we will be in touch.
Even the dog is impressed by how quickly Scott installed this one!