Stairlifts Great Baddow
In case you struggle with stairs, a stairlift can help you to navigate your property freely and safe again. The two primary kinds of stairlift: straight and curved. While straight stairlifts move in one straight line, curved ones can turn around corners. Curved ones cost significantly more due to the manufacturing costs of the curved stairlift rail and installation.
Great Baddow, Moulsham, Chelmsford, Springfield has a good choice of stairlift companies to meet your requirements. Manufacturers you may of heard of are: Acorn, Access BDD, Brooks, Bruno, Handicare, Stannah and TKA There is something for everyone from Brook's affordable range to more bespoke models with add-ons to blend into your home, everyone can find something they like.
Second-hand stairlifts are often cheaper than new. Buy a pre-owned stairlift from a reputable company over a private seller to ensure safety and quality. Buying from the likes of eBay, Gumtee, Great Baddow Facebook Group or other classified ads may seem like a cheap option but it's unlikely you'll find a stairlift company that will install and warranty a stairlift they have not supplied. All reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Great Baddow should install the lift as part of the service, simplifying the process.
Prior to a stairlift being fitted, you must book a home survey from a professional stairlift surveyor. The survey will assess 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 generally needed as stairlifts attach to the stairs rather than the wall. This means that installation is normally quick and easy. Building work is generally not required as stairlifts attach to the stairs, not the wall.
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Curved Stairlifts
A curved stairlift would typically be required when there is a curved or non-standard shaped staircase in a home or building. Unlike straight staircases that run in a single, uninterrupted line, curved staircases often have bends, turns, or multiple levels. In such cases, a curved stairlift is specifically designed to navigate these complex layouts.
Curved stairlifts are pricier than straight stairlifts because of the intricate design required to navigate turns. As curved staircases are less universal in shape than straight ones, you are more likely to need a custom-built rail, which will also be expensive. Curved stairlifts start at around £3,850 but multiple bends and stops will cost extra.
Below are some popular brands of curved stairlifts:
- Acorn 180
- Handicare 2000
- Stannah 260
- Platinum Ultimate
- Thyssen Flow 2
- Thyssen Flow X
Straight Stairlifts
If the stairs travel in one direction without any corners, a straight stairlift is a suitable option to consider. If you have a straight staircase, it might look like one of the staircases illustrated A-D.
Consider fitting two straight stairlifts if you have two consecutive straight staircases linked by a quarter landing. For this to work, you need to be able to move yourself between the stairlifts seats. If this isn't possible, a continuous run curved stairlift is the right solution.
The starting price for a brand new straight stairlift is around £1,950. Because they usually have a pretty simple design, straight stairlifts cost less than curved stairlifts. Additional features like a powered hinge rail and a powered swivel seat will cost more.
Here are some popular straight stairlift models: • Brooks Lincoln • Stannah 600 • Platinum Horizon • Thyssen/Access BDD Homeglide • Acorn 130 • Handicare 1100 • Handicare 1000.
Straight stairlifts offer a quicker and easier installation process compared to curved stairlifts, thanks to their straightforward design. Typically, it takes one engineer a maximum of half-a-day to fit a straight stairlift.
Outdoor stairlifts
If you find climbing the stairs outside your home or garden difficult, consider getting an outdoor stairlift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor stairlift can be life-changing. Outdoor stairlifts in East of England will typically start from £2,400, depending on your requirements. A curved set of steps will naturally cost more than a short straight set.
Outdoor stairlifts are similar in design to internal stairlifts, but waterproof materials make them more weather resistant. When your stairlift is not being used, a cover provides additional protection from rain, sleet and snow. The weather-proof cover also keeps the seat dry. If you live by the sea, your external stairlift is more likely to suffer environmental damage. Salt in the air can damage the stairlift over time.
Twin rail outdoor stairlift
garden step lift
External stair lift
Outside step chair lift
Narrow Chairlifts
If your staircase is narrow, you may need a stairlift made especially for smaller spaces. When not in use, folding parts allow your stairlift to fold away as slim as 300mm. An excellent stairlift for tight spaces is the Thyssen Flow X. This stairlift works on both curved or straight staircases. The Flow X stairlift is the narrowest on the market, designed to work on stairs as narrow as 610mm. The chair automatically swivels to get the passenger through the tightest sections on your staircase without hitting anything. Another option to look into is a perch stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to perch on. It's excellent if you have restricted knee or hip joints that make sitting uncomfortable. However, it's not suitable if partially standing makes you feel unsteady.
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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 are near the higher end of these maximum weight limits, a Through-Floor-Lift (TFL) is the alternative. When the lift is parked on the ground floor, the lid is designed to be strong enough to be walked on above. Through-Floor-Lifts are significantly more expensive, starting at £11,500, but can be a life-changing purchase.
Reconditioned stairlifts Great Baddow
For those with a restricted budget, it's worth considering a pre-owned stairlift as a cost-effective option. Acquiring a pre-used stairlift for a straight staircase is a straightforward process. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is easy and safe enough to do. Sourcing pre-owned stairlifts to suit another curved staircase is almost impossible as they've most likely been custom-made to a specific home. The solution is to get a brand new custom-made curved rail to suit your stairs and use a pre-owned, refurbished, curved stairlift seat.
It may be cheaper to buy a stairlift second-hand in Great Baddow than buying a new one. Getting a pre-owned stairlift from a private seller may seem like the most affordable option, but it’s typically problematic and fraught with risk. Unless you’re a qualified stairlift expert, buying a refurbished stairlift from a reputable company is much more sensible. Reconditioned stairlifts, from a reputable company, should also come with a 1 year guarantee, meaning you're protected if it breaks down within a year of it being fitted.
