Stairlift Dealer Near Me
According to AARP and the National Conference of State Legislatures, 90% of people over the age of 65 want to live in their homes as long as they can. To achieve this dream of safely aging in place, thousands of seniors are investing in a stairlift designed to meet their mobility needs. And with today’s advanced technology, nearly every home can be fitted with a stairlift, even if it has a curved staircase. Before you go ahead and purchase your stairlift, ensure you work with a professional, experienced, and approved stairlift dealer near me.
Stairlifts provide more than just a means of getting from the downstairs floor of your house to the upstairs – they also represent mobility and independence to an aging person.
As we age, it’s only natural that we find certain everyday activities, such as climbing the stairs, becoming increasingly difficult. For someone with limited mobility due to disability, injury, or chronic diseases such as arthritis and angina, installing a stairlift is a low-cost, simple solution.
Should I Buy or Rent a Stairlift?
As we grow older, our health becomes more fragile. While there are many things that we can do to look after our health, the aging process is something that cannot be stopped. When most people reach a certain age, they struggle to move around as freely as they used to, so mobility problems are a common issue amongst the elderly.
Fortunately, there are plenty of different solutions available to ensure that the elderly and people with limited mobility can continue to live happily and independently in their homes. One of these solutions is installing a stairlift.
Stairlifts are extremely useful machines that can greatly improve the quality of life for those struggling with limited mobility. A person who can live independently, but has difficulty going up and down the stairs, could hugely benefit from a stairlift.
If you’re considering getting a stairlift fitted in your home, you may be wondering whether you should rent or buy one. Both options have their advantages and are suitable for different situations. Read on to find out which option may be best for you.
Renting vs. Buying
As an experienced stairlift dealer in Mountain West, one question that many customers that we serve ask us is, ‘is it possible to rent a stairlift?’. The short and simple answer to this is: yes!
In some circumstances, renting a stairlift may be the better option, rather than permanently buying one for your home. If you or a loved one only require a stairlift for a short period, renting a stairlift can be far more economical.
Perhaps you have a relative, who requires a stairlift, staying at your home for only a short time, or you’re on a tight budget that simply won’t stretch to a brand new stairlift purchase and installation.
Stairlift hire may be a suitable option if a disabled person is staying at your home for a limited amount of time. Renting a stairlift can also be beneficial for people who have been injured in an accident that has temporarily reduced their mobility; if they come home to complete their recovery, they may still find it difficult to move freely around their home. In this case, it may be best to rent a stairlift rather than buy one as they are an ideal short-term solution.
Renting a stairlift from an approved stairlift dealer near me can provide flexibility and peace of mind. If you are unsure whether a stairlift is right for you, renting one allows you to try it out in your own home before purchasing it permanently.
Instead of committing yourself financially, you can test a certain model and work out whether it meets your needs for just a fraction of the price. For those on a smaller budget, stairlift hire is an affordable solution to mobility problems.
Others that may choose to rent a stairlift instead of buying one are business owners that need to temporarily provide access for a customer or visitor that has mobility issues (or even an employee who’s recovering from an injury or accident).
Rental stairlifts are an extremely convenient temporary solution, ensuring that all customers and visitors are catered to and are free to move around your business. If there is no lift in the building, hiring a stairlift is a great solution.
In comparison, buying a stairlift is a permanent solution for those who suffer from mobility issues. While buying a stairlift outright might seem like a significant investment, it can truly change the lives of those who permanently require help getting up and down the stairs.
Permanent stairlifts are an ideal solution for elderly people and disabled people who find it difficult to move freely around their homes.
Added benefits when renting a stairlift through an authorized, reliable stairlift company, from warranty to stairlift repairs.
If you’re fully convinced about renting a stairlift, the next step is to contact a reputable approved stairlift company or specialist mobility company for more information about their rental schemes and if this suits your budget and requirements.
When renting your stairlift through an authorized company, this provides many benefits within itself and offers you peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about your struggles with mobility. These benefits include:
- Warranty – When you buy new, a high-value item will usually come with a warranty, whether it is a year, two years or more, and the same applies to a stairlift. When it comes to renting a stairlift, you may assume that many professional stairlift companies provide a warranty, but, usually, this isn’t true. By using an expert, reputable, and approved stairlift dealer near me, the peace of mind that a warranty provides is not taken away.
- Expert Advice – Whether you are unsure about which stairlift to opt for or you are in a predicament over budget, a well-established stairlift company can provide expert and helpful advice. They can guide you towards the right decision for your home to suit your home requirements, timeframe, mobility needs, and budget.
- Professional Service and Installation – As well as advice and warranties, reputable stairlift dealers are the best people for the job when it comes to providing a stairlift to a high standard and the best installation possible in your home.
- Repairs and Maintenance – Despite the fact you are opting for a rental scheme, you still have access to repairs and maintenance services that a reputable stairlift company can provide. Therefore, this will give you peace of mind when using your stairlift, instead of worrying about it breaking down and having to pay for emergency repairs.
Why You Should Choose A Licensed Installer For Your Stairlift
If you have been shopping for a home stairlift, you may have received estimates that vary significantly in price. You may have also seen a wide range of prices listed across the internet if you have been doing research online.
If so, you are probably asking yourself why one company is willing to install a new straight rail stairlift for $1,999 and one is quoting a cost of $2,200 to $ 5,000 for a similar product that may be new or used.
While many factors determine the price of a stairlift, the two main factors are usually:
- Quality of the stairlift
- Qualifications and experience of the stairlift installer
Many of the stairlifts advertised online are sold by companies without local installers of their own. They often have a network of handymen throughout the country that subcontract to handle their installations.
These handymen are most likely not trained by the manufacturer of the stairlift you purchased and they will not offer service after installation. In addition, there most likely won’t be any product or labor warranties on any of the lifts sold online.
Some websites may even market do-it-yourself installation. While these handymen may be able to get the job done, it is recommended by most stair lift manufacturers that you use a licensed and authorized local stairlift dealer, such as Stannah Mountain West Stairlifts. They also recommend that you DON’T install a stairlift yourself.
There are several reasons for these recommendations.
- Many states, including Minnesota, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, require that a stairlift installer be licensed by the state. Most (but not all) authorized dealers will hold the required state licenses.
- Many states, such as Minnesota, also require a permit and inspection for residential stairlifts and a licensed stairlift dealer is likely to be familiar with these regulations.
- Authorized dealers typically receive factory training and certification for the stairlift being installed.
- Licensed and authorized dealers will provide reliable service and maintenance to their customers. Often, handymen or subcontracted installers will not offer service after the installation is complete and labor isn’t typically covered under manufacturer warranties.
It’s especially important to use an authorized dealer when installing a curved rail stairlift. The rail for a curved stair lift is custom-made to fit your staircase and it is important to get precise measurements and installation from a factory-trained technician. Measurement systems to fit curved rails are only provided to manufacturers’ authorized dealers.
Stairlift Dealer Near Me
While a straight rail stairlift may seem like a simple installation compared to other types of accessibility equipment (overhead ceiling lifts, vertical platform wheelchair lifts, etc.), it’s still wise to use an experienced and licensed stairlift dealer near me. While the cost may be slightly more than some online stairlift installers, the quality, warranty, safety, and value of using a dealer with the proper training and certifications is well worth it.
Stannah Mountain West Stairlifts is an authorized and experienced Stairlift Dealer Near Me that has been in business for over three decades. Call us today at (888) 542-3834 or fill out our online contact form to make an inquiry or schedule a FREE, no-obligation home assessment so that we can provide you with an accurate quote.
