Stairlifts: Questions and Answers
- How much does a stairlift cost?
- How do stairlifts work?
- How noisy are stairlifts?
- How long does it take to fit a stairlift in a house?
- If I decide to have a stairlift how long will I have to wait to have it fitted?
- What kind of warranty / after-care is available for stairlifts?
- What happens to my stairlift during a powercut?
- What if I have narrow stairs, will a stairlift fit?
- Can other people still use the stairs if a stairlift is fitted?
- What safety standards should I look out for?
How much does a stairlift cost?
This is probably the most commonly asked question. The price can vary greatly, depending on whether you have a curved staircase or not; if you are looking at a new, or reconditioned stairlift. Stairlift; and what features you would like included.
Stairlift prices can cost between £1700-£9,500, there is a huge variation on price due to the different requirements of the user and the difference in the staircase itself. Curved stairlifts will always be more expensive as they are custom manufactured to the exact dimensions of your staircase.
Brooks Stairlifts feature towards the more affordable end of the price range. You could compare the cost of a stairlift to having to move out of the home you love, for which there is no comparison!
I real terms though the questions are; how much do you value your independence and freedom you could have to move around your own home? And, can you really put a price on someone's ability to use their own staircase with ease and without fear?
How do stairlifts work?
Brooks Stairlifts, and most manufacturered stairlifts, are made up of three main components: a rail, a carriage and a seat. The carriage of the stairlift contains the motor which powers the lift up and down the rail or track. The rail is normally made of Aluminium; this fits directly to the treads of the stairs (not the wall), and the stairlift seat simply sits on top of the carriage and has the controls in the arms to send the stairlift up or down. The Brooks Stairlift also has two remote controls allowing multiple users to direct the lift both up and down the stairs.
How noisy are stairlifts?
Battery (DC) powered stairlifts run off around 24 volts powering an electric motor, which makes them quiet and energy efficient in use. The loudest noise you will here from your stairlift is a beep to let you know that it is about to start its journey up or down your stairs!.
How long does it take to fit a stairlift in a house?
Most stairlifts can be fitted in a matter of hours with the minimum of fuss. Brooks stairlifts are fitted directly to the stair treads and not the wall which results in the process being quick, simple and clean.
If I decide to have a stairlift, how long will I have to wait to have it fitted?
If you order a straight stairlift, you could be back to having the freedom of your home within a week. IF your staircase is curved, meaning you require a curved stairlift, the installation period will be between 14 to 28 days. However, if there is a particularly urgent need, simply ask Brooks Stairlifts and they will try their best to schedule the installation of your stairlift in a shorter time frame.
What kind of warranty / after-care is available for stairlifts?
All Brooks Stairlifts come with a comprehensive 12 months warranty. Brooks also offer extended warranties for extra piece of mind.
What happens to my stairlift during a powercut?
Brooks stairlift motors are powered using Direct Current (D.C.) batteries, which will automatically charge when not in use, resulting in the stairlift functioning during a power cut.
What if I have narrow stairs? Will a stairlift fit?
If your staircase is wider than 600mm (24 inches) it will accommodate a stairlift.
Can other people still use the stairs if a stairlift is fitted?
Yes. When not in use your Brooks Stairlift has a folding seat, footrest and arms, so it tucks neatly against the wall. It will also be parked at the top or bottom of the staircase, allowing full access to the stair way for all uses.
What is the maximum weight a Brooks Stairlift can safely carry?
Our stairlifts for sale in the UK can safely carry a maximum of 20 stone (127 kg).
What safety standards should I look out for?
The main UK stairlift standard you should look out for is BS 5776:1996 - British Standard - 'Specification for powered stairlifts'. Brooks not only meeds this, but also meets the relevant CE European safety directives, and complies with the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) regulations for Canada and the United States.
Why don't you take a moment to read our page on Brooks Stairlift Safety Features
