What You Should Know About Your Stairlift Installation
During the current global pandemic, it’s vital that anyone working in your home observes strict safety and hygiene protocols. Before signing on the dotted line for a home stairlift, you need to be confident the installation will be carried out in a competent and professional manner. Here are some questions to ask beforehand.
Before signing on the dotted line for a home stairlift, you need to be confident the installation will be carried out in a competent and professional manner. Here are some questions to ask:
Will my installation be Covid-safe? People who need a stairlift are often at greater risk from Covid-19, due to age or underlying health conditions. During the current global pandemic, it’s vital that anyone working in your home observes strict safety and hygiene protocols. Ask your supplier what they’re doing to combat the spread of the virus and keep you safe.
How long must I wait for my stairlift installation? If you need a stairlift urgently you should ask this question at the outset. Lead times for installation can vary from next day to several weeks, depending on the company you choose and the type of stairlift you need.
One exception is Acorn Stairlifts, which uses a patented ‘modular rail system’ for its curved stairlifts. It means a custom-built curved rail can be assembled on-site in your home using rail sections specified by your survey. With this system a curved stairlift can be installed within days.
Who’ll do the work? You need to be sure your stairlift’s been properly installed by a trained and qualifier technician. If you buy direct from a manufacturer, your stairlift will probably be installed by their own fully-trained employees as part of the deal.
Buying from a mobility retailer is different. If the retailer is a licensed dealer, they might have access to the stairlift manufacturer’s network of engineers. If not, they might use sub-contractors to do the work. You must ask the question and be confident that whoever installs your stairlift is fully trained and qualified to do so.
Will I have to prepare in advance of the installation? In general, you shouldn’t have to carry out any preparation work prior to your installation – it should all be handled by the installation engineer. There are some exceptions, but if that’s the case it should be fully explained during your home survey, before you commit to buy. For example, you might need to an electrician to fit a new power outlet if there isn’t one fairly close to your staircase. This is rare for indoor stairlifts, but more common with outdoor ones.
How long will it take to install my stairlift? With a simple straight stairlift, the installation is usually done and dusted inside a couple of hours. For a more complicated curved stairlift, the work will take longer, but it’s unlikely to be a full day. Make sure you ask in advance if you might need to go up or down the stairs while the work is carried out.
Will there be disruption and mess? It depends on the model of stairlift you’ve chosen and how the stairlift rail is attached. Most stairlift rails are attached to the stairs rather than the wall next to them. Fixing to the stairs is usually simple and causes very little mess, while drilling into plaster and masonry to fix to a wall can be more disruptive.
Will I need to redecorate and clean up after my installation? If your stairlift rail is fixed to the stairs you shouldn’t need to redecorate. Some minor changes to your home might be needed, such as removing pictures or other objects hanging on the wall next to the stairlift carriage, and possibly removing a handrail if your staircase is narrow. These changes should be pointed out during your initial home survey. As for cleaning up, most suppliers make sure their installation engineers clean up after themselves, so you shouldn’t have to.
Will I get a demonstration of my new stairlift? Once your stairlift is up and running, the person who installed it should give you a thorough demonstration of how to use it, then let you try it for yourself. You should also be given contact details in case any questions arise later. Remember to ask what customer support is available to you after installation.