Stairlifts Basildon
The two primary styles of chairlift are straight and curved. As their names suggest, straight stairlifts can only move in one straight line, curved ones can turn around corners. Curved ones are a lot more expensive due to their unique design and additional install cost.
Basildon has plenty of chairlift companies to choose from, as does Lee Chapel North, Fryerns, Langdon Hills. Common ones you may of heard of are: Acorn, Bruno, Handicare, Stannah and TKA There's something for everyone from Brook's affordable range to more high-tech chairlift with add-ons and customisations tailored for you, you'll find something to suit every taste.
Reconditioned stairlifts are less expensive than new ones. Buy a reconditioned stairlift from a trusted brand to ensure quality and safety. All good reconditioned stairlift companies in Basildon will facilitate the install, making the process easy. Make sure you get a one-year warranty on your lift purchase to ensure peace of mind.
Prior to a stairlift being fitted, you must book a home survey from a professional stairlift surveyor. This process will assess exactly what's required and how much it's going to cost. Once you've approved the quotation, the installation can get started. No building work is typically needed as stairlifts attach to the stairs rather than the wall (a common misconception). This means that installation is normally quick and easy. As stairlifts attach to stairs, not walls, no building work is usually required. Therefore, installation is usually straightforward and takes around half a day.
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Curved Stairlifts
A curved stairlift is typically needed in situations where a staircase has curves, bends, or multiple landings. Unlike straight staircases that can be accommodated by a standard straight stairlift, curved staircases require a specialized curved stairlift due to their unique shape.
Curved stairlifts come with a higher price tag compared to straight stairlifts due to the intricate design needed for navigating turns. Unlike straight staircases, curved ones vary in shape, requiring a custom-built rail that adds to the overall expense. While the starting price for curved stairlifts is typically around £3,850, additional charges will apply for multiple bends and stops along the staircase.
Several renowned makes and models of curved stairlifts include • Acorn 180 • Handicare 2000 • Stannah 260 • Platinum Ultimate • Thyssen Flow 2 • Thyssen Flow X
Straight Stairlifts
A straight stairlift is likely right for your home if your staircase goes in one direction without bends or curves. You may need two straight chairlifts if you have two straight staircases linked by a platform. This can only work if you're able to walk between the stairlift seats unaided.
Straight stairlifts are less expensive than curved stairlifts because the rail is straight and simple to manufacture. The cost of a straight stairlift starts at around £1,950. Features like a powered hinge rail or upgraded swivel seat will increase the total cost.
Here's a selection of straight stairlift models you may want to investigate:
- Handicare 1100
- Handicare 1000 including perch seat option
- Brooks Lincoln
- Stannah 600
- Platinum Horizon
- Access BDD Homeglide
- Thyssen Levant / Thyssen Comfort
- Acorn 130
Because of their more straightforward design, straight stairlifts are quicker and easier to install than curved chairlifts. It should take half a day, at most, to fully install and handover a straight stairlift in your property.
Outdoor stairlifts
Do you have an external set of stairs, perhaps leading up to your front door our out to a garden area? Consider installing an external chairlift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor chairlift can be life-changing. The average cost of an outdoor stairlift in the East of England area is around £2,400, but factors like length of rail and staircase design will affect this. A curved set of steps will naturally cost more.
External stairlifts are similar to internal stairlifts, but include waterproof components to make them more weather resistant. When you're not using your external chairlift, a protective cover will provide extra protection from rain and snow. If your property is by the sea, your outdoor stairlift is more likely to suffer weather damage. Salt in the sea air can corrode parts of the stairlift over the years. A waterproof cover also keeps the seat dry.
Narrow Stairlifts
If your stairs are particularly narrow, look for a stairlift model specifically for limited spaces. Collapsible parts and compact designs mean your stairlift can be minimal in size and fold out of the way when not in use. An excellent stairlift for tight spaces is the Thyssen Flow X. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs down to 610mm wide. The seat automatically swivels to get the chairlift user through the smallest sections on your staircase without hitting anything. Another option to look into is a perched seat stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to perch on. Although, it may not be suitable if you have minimal mobility, which makes partially standing tiring or unsafe.
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Heavy Duty Chairlifts
Whilst most stairlifts' maximum weight limit tops out at 25 stone - there are a couple of options for those living in a larger body.
There are models available for curved stairs with a weight capacity of 25 stone—for example, the Platinum Ultimate. The highest weight capacity for a curved staircases is the Bruno Elite stairlift offering a max limit of 30 stone. For straight staircases, the Handicare 1000 XXL, goes up to 31 stones.
If you exceed these maximum weight limits, TFL's, also known as home lifts or residential elevators, provide a convenient and efficient way to move between different levels of a home. TFL's consist of a self-contained cabin that moves vertically within a dedicated shaft or enclosure.
To operate a TFL, a user enters the lift cabin at one level and selects up or down. The cabin ascends or descends to the chosen floor, allowing the user to exit at their destination safely.
Through floor lifts typically use an electric motor and a system of cables, pulleys, or hydraulic mechanisms to move the cabin. They are designed to be space-efficient and can be customised to fit the specific dimensions of a home.Through floor lifts provide a practical solution for individuals with mobility challenges, enabling them to move between floors effortlessly and comfortably. A TFL is more expensive than a stairlift, starting at around £11,500. However, the benefits can outweigh the cost.
Reconditioned chairlifts Basildon
To reduce costs, you could consider buying a stairlift second-hand. The process of finding a reconditioned stairlift for a straight staircase is typically straightforward. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is cheaper than buying a brand new rail. Pre-used curved stairlift rails aren't as easy to re-fit as they've most likely been manufactured to a specific job. One possible approach is to get a brand new bespoke curved rail and fit a 2nd hand curved stairlift chassis.
Shopping for a pre-owned stairlift can be more affordable than buying one brand new. Purchasing a second-hand one through EBay or a Basildon Facebook marketplace may appear to be a cheap option. However, buying a refurbished stairlift from a reputable company means you can trust that your used stairlift is professionally fitted and will operate safely. A refurbished chairlift will also come with a one-year guarantee, meaning you're protected if it breaks down within a year.
If you’re considering a stairlift and live in Basildon, give us a call today on 0330 223 6584 or book your free home visit.