Stair Lifts – for straight stairways
Stair lifts or chair lifts have been around for some time now. Over the years they have become more reliable, compact and quieter. They can be a great accessibility solution for individuals who have trouble with the stairs, due to balance, mobility or fatigue. The following is a list of questions we are commonly asked.
What is the weight capacity ?
Capacities vary, but most products can accommodate a 300lb individual. Bruno makes a stair lift that is capable of transporting a 400lb user.
Can my stair lift go around bends and accommodate a curved stair way ?
Yes it can. It’s important to have a professional come out and measure your stairs. Most lift providers will do this for no cost or obligation. Getting a quote on-line, or over the phone can often end up causing you grief in the long run. You should also be aware that not all manufactures utilize rails that are built specifically for your stairs not all curved stair lifts are custom-built!
What powers my stair lift ?
Most units are battery operated and utilize a rack and pinion drive. This ensures a smooth ride even if there is a power failure. All we require is a standard outlet where we can plug in our power supply. This supplies power to an on-board charger that automatically re-charges your batteries when the device is not in use. Manufacturers such as Bruno incorporate a charging strip into the track. This ensures that you are never out of a charge position, even when travelling on the device. Stair lifts typically draw about 3 amps through a “trickle charge” so the power usage is minimal.
What is the warranty ?
Like all products warranties vary – you will find everything from 1 – 5 years. If a manufacture offers a lifetime warranty on a component you can assume it’s for a part that will never break. For instance I used to deal with a manufacturer the would give a life time warranty on the track. In 17 years, I have never seen a track that required a warranty replacement.
What is the cost of a stair lift ?
Around Calgary a straight run stair lift sells for approximately $3000.00 – $4000.00. Factors that determine price are:
- length of rail
- location
- capacity needed
- required options
Curved units sell for more money as the are custom-built to fit your stairs exactly. I am always leery of “one size fits all” solutions and suggest you ask for an engineered drawing before your lift goes into production.
Who services my lift after it is installed ?
My personal belief is that I would never buy anything from someone if I couldn’t go back o that individual with questions or concerns. Being re-directed to a web site or 1-800 number for service in my opinion is unacceptable. Sales people should be held accountable to clients after the sale has takes place. I prefer to deal with companies that service what they sell. Ideally they do this locally with factory trained professionals.
How much space will the lift take up on my stairs ?
Again this varies depending on the make and model of the unit. Our most common selling unit for a straight run stairway is the Bruno Elan. The Elan rail installs within 5 inches of the wall, or nearest obstruction. When it is in a folded position it takes up approximately 12 inches.
How is the stair lift secured, and do I need extra blocking ?
It should be noted that stair lifts mount directly to the stair tread not the wall. No additional blocking will be required.
How long does the installation and do you have units in stock ?
Straight run units take about 2 – 3 hours to install and are always in stock (we order them in 10 at a time) Our commitment is to have a standard unit installed within 3 days maximum of a client confirming an order. Custom curved units can take about 4-6 weeks to manufacture and we usually allow for a 6 hour installation time.
If you require more information on home accessibility lifts please click here
You may qualify for the Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) . Click here to download the application