A temporary stair lift is often something which is needed only in the short term, usually for people who may have undergone surgery, have an injury or have had some other medical procedure.
If you require a temporary stair lift you can either rent one or use a mobile stairlift. Stairlift rental gives you the option of using a stairlift temporarily without the full expense of buying one outright.
However, it’s worth weighing up how long you expect to be using your stairlift for. A rental stairlift has a monthly cost and so becomes a less tenable option the longer you have it.
Temporary Stairlift – Mobile Stairlift Vs. Rental Stairlift
A mobile stairlift might be a good option if you have someone to help you with the stairs. However, it’s not so useful if you need your independence. It’s worth weighing up the cost of home help, and using a mobile stairlift while you’re recovering versus the cost of a rental stairlift.
The cost of a mobile stairlift lies between £1,250 and £4,100, depending on the type. Manual models are cheaper than the electric models (and those with greater features). With a manual model you’ll need assistance. Stair climbers come with more features and are powered. With certain models you can use the stairs unassisted.
The cost of a rental stairlifts often includes an upfront fee for installation. This is often around £400 with a monthly recurring fee of around £40 per month, depending where you look.
Rental Vs Purchase
So, if you intend on renting for more than just a few months, it may be worth buying a stairlift instead. Particularly when a reconditioned stairlift can be purchased for as little as £990, (depending on your staircase configuration and requirements).
Here at UK Stairlifts we don’t offer stairlift rentals. However, we can help you if you’re interested in a reconditioned stairlift. Reconditioned lifts are often our most popular because they offer reliability and cost effectiveness. We offer a 2 year warrantee on all our reconditioned units.
The average cost of a stairlift to buy tends to lie between £1500 and £8000. With more complicated staircases, the price tends to go up.
With a straight staircase, a single flight of stairs, and a reconditioned stairlift, you can purchase a stairlift which is at the lower end of this price bracket.
Buying new, and with more difficult staircase configurations (with twists and turns), or with a more expensive model, you’re looking at the upper end of that price bracket.
Summary
For those seeking a temporary stairlift, it’s worth weighing up the options between a mobile stairlift, a rental stairlift or a reconditioned stairlift. There’s also other alternatives to stairlifts too, such as handrails and grab rails. Maybe even a walking cane might be of use!
Some walking frames are specifically made for a staircase and have retractible/self expanding legs to facilitate the uneven surface of a staircase.
