Stairlifts

daffy the stairlift we had in had remote control at top and bottom, not sure if they all have this,although never needed to use it.

I think they all do biker mum's certainly did. I can't remember the firm that installed it but it was near £3000 than £6000 but I think it very much depends on your staircase. If you have turns, half landings etc. It's more. Mum's was a straight 13step run.

yes our was too, just basic stairs, it was Stanna that did ours, but then a firm called West??? something used to come and service it afetr so many yrs.

We had a Stannah installed for FIL when we cared for him. It was an awkward non standard staircase but they managed very well. Their after sales service was good as was the response to a small problem we thought we had......something simple that we could have fixed had we but known. They were also careful when we had it eventually removed, leaving hardly a trace of its existence.

Where I am, there is a firm that deals in secondhand lifts. Mine cost £1000 fitted

Hello daffydil.
We had a stair lift fitted two years ago. It cost £2,800. Has remote top and bottom. Not sure if I am allowed to advertise but here goes( Acorn.)
Been delighted with it no problems. We didn't take up the contracts for maintenance they offered, as DH is a whizz at fixing all things mechanical.
Had to chase grandchildren off the first few weeks, they thought it was great fun. When we bought it salesman said he would give us a special price- but then they all do that dont they. Ours is a straight up and down staircase.

Hi daffydil the answer is yes definitely haggle haggle haggle, start by saying you only expected half that, I recon you will get about 25/35% off depending on your bargaining skills.

arie www.lloydsstairliftsguide.co.uk

I recently did a Mystery Shop for Rica with a stairlift company .

We have a set of stairs that is one flight , a turn and landing and another flight and the challenge of a lowish ceiling which means a semi standing lift was out.

The quote was for £5,500 which he attributed to the complex stair lay out and there needed to be 4 turns in the track.

He also explained that whereas straight stairlifts have a resale value, apart from the chair a custom layout like ours would have little value when not required or removed.

Rica are an independent company that do consumer research on products older people might need. They accredit companies that meet their rigorous standards). They have lots of useful guides for a number of products. They dont sell anything.

This is their website for stairlifts incase it helps.

www.rica.org.uk/content/stairlifts

daffydil yes, you do have to haggle, just like buying double glazing. That price does appear to be a bit steep. Many companies have now merged but keep their previous name. Mine did that.

It is essential to take out insurance after it has been fitted. I did to begin with, stopped for a couple of years and really regretted it because I felt I was being taken for a mug re price. The cost was in the hundreds.

I have moved my "office" downstairs so that I am not whizzing up and down all day, wearing out the motor etc. Luckily I have a downstairs loo.

Mine was fitted in 2009 but I was in no fit state to haggle as I had just been discharged from hospital and was in a lot of pain.

Have you approached your local social services or whoever because friends of mine had a stairlift fitted for free although they were willing to pay.