Stair lifts are a great boon for people with mobility issues and take the pain out of negotiating stairways. However, most accessibility equipment comes with several kinds of capabilities and functions. There are many things you should know when buying electric stair lifts for a home or commercial building.

Shopping for Electric Stair Chair Lifts - Factors to Consider

Stair lifts are available to suit different kinds of stairway configurations such as straight, curved and spiral. Most models are compact and easy to install. Many of the electrically powered devices work on batteries as well so that operation is not affected during a power failure. Established dealers stock a wide range of these accessibility devices and you should have a good idea about what to look for when you want to buy one. The following tips can help:

• Model: There are various models of both curved and straight stair lifts. While the lifts for straight stairways are comparatively easy to set up, a lift for your curved stairway would have to be custom built. Most established dealers will arrange for a technical expert to visit your home, examine your requirements, advise you on the right model and even install it. Curved stair lifts would cost more than ones for straight stairways.


• Features: Modern stair lifts come with many user-friendly features and safety options to ensure a smooth, safe and comfortable ride. Make sure that the electric stair lift you buy has features such as swivel seat, adjustable seat height, adjustable seat arms for easy entry and exit, interchangeable options for seating, obstruction sensor to detect obstacles in its path, seat belt, remote control, control key switch, and so on. If the user finds heights a problem, guardrails may be needed too.


• User Requirements: If the user of the accessibility device prefers to stand, a perching stair lift is the ideal choice. A seated model is meant for people who find standing difficult. If the user is seated in a wheelchair, then you would need to install as a wheelchair platform lift.
• Transporting Goods: Consider if you want an electric stair lift that can be fitted with a shuttle to carry goods up the stairs.


• Brand: Make sure you buy a sturdy model from a leading manufacturer. This would ensure that the lift has all the necessary safety features and comes with proper warranty.


• Recertified Electric Stair lifts: As all lifts are expensive, you could consider buying a recertified model. Leading dealers sell pre-owned mobility equipment after upgrading it to manufacturer specifications. Such straight and curved electric lifts work as well as new and are available at an affordable price.

Buy from an Established Dealer

Once you consider all these factors when buying electric stair lifts, the most important thing is to locate the right dealer. Browsing online directories and the yellow pages would help you find established dealers of accessibility equipment in your area. The right way to choose a dealer is to make a shortlist and buy your lift from one that offers excellent customer support service. This should include timely installation, maintenance and repair.