Choosing and paying for a stair lift

I bought my stairlift from a small company many years ago but it was swallowed up by Handicare which now is huge. They charge a small fortune for "aftercare" for want of a better word and I discovered because I was not spending their ridiculous monthly fees they were going to make me wait for service because my lift had broken down! Please be very careful.

Google, there are other companies.

That is exactly the sort of thing I need to hear, so thank you.

I will look forward to reading any more recommendations, as I am considering this at the moment.
Has anyone bought a second hand one, from a private seller, and how did the servicing costs work out?

Which? Have recently reviewed them if you are a member .
I can’t remember the top performing company I’m afraid.

www.which.co.uk/reviews/stairlifts/article/best-stairlift-brands/best-stairlift-brands-overview-ajbTp8R5XX7o?source_code=911CRJ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1JiN6emI8QIV0OR3Ch2vzw1vEAAYAiAAEgJOEvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This link might work …

It’s a difficult subject. Recently, I’ve recommended stair lift hire to a couple of friends for their elderly mothers - one only needed it for less than a year, but the other lady’s still going strong and using it daily. For a straight stair - they’re only cost about £10 a week to hire. Is that worth considering?

My stairlift came from Acorn, and I love it, but have cancelled my service agreement with them. When we bought the stairlift in 2012, we took out a 4 year agreement for servicing, at a cost of just over £500, which seemed a lot u ntil we needed a new motor, which would have cost well over £400. But when I wanted to renew the agreement, I was told that they only do 1 year ones now, at a cost of £250, which is a lot if I don`t call them out and only have the once a year service. I now have it serviced by a local mobility company, for £75, plus any parts needed, so far, none.

Haven Mobility based in Cwmbran - I don't know how far they travel, but I am not in Wales and they did mine. Measured up one day and it was fitted a week later. Very reasonable price. No service contract, but you just ring them up and ask them to come out to service it - I can't remember how much they said that would be but it sounded very reasonable to me.

one of my neighbours asked for three quotes from different companies and then had to get permission from the housing association that we live in (rented property) two of the people that came out said the stairs are not suitable for a stairlift and one of the quotes was nearly £1000 of a difference in price, do any of your neighbours or friends living in similar houses have a stairlift, good luck and be careful x

We are seeing four companies (two large National, two small local) and I will look at hire costs, though I suppose it depends on how long we need it, not knowable. Thank you for your recommendation, Luckygirl, they don’t come this far from their base.

Many thanks for helpful responses. Since purchase appears to be around £4.5K this is not a small investment, and I want to get it right.

Everything has an upside, though. Installing the stair lift will mean evicting a carved oak corner table on the quarter landing, something I have wanted to do for nearly forty years but met resistance from sentimental DH.

NotAGran55

Which? Have recently reviewed them if you are a member .
I can’t remember the top performing company I’m afraid.

My dad did some research for me, including 'which?'
They recommended Thyssenkrupp, which is the one I got.
My staircase is very straightforward.
I got the top of the range one, with insurance etc and it was less than two grand.
I got it just before last Christmas.
I highly recommend Thyssenkrupp

Granny Somerset that sounds an awful lot

Yes it does but the bend adds to it. Will look at Thyssenkrupp too while I am at it.

Can you point me in the right direction please Fanny? The website is overpowering and I can’t see anything as modest as stairlifts mentioned.

Oh, I'll have a look. I didn't even go on the website, I just rang them.
Mine is called the Levant.
I'll have a look now, see you in a bit

Ah! I see what you mean!
Type in 'Thyssenkrupp home solutions', that will do it!

I had 3 companies round, Acorn was the only one who agreed to install one, the others said my stairs were too narrow. I had a call from Acorn yesterday, they`re sending me a letter with new servicing terms and arrangements, so will see what it says.

We have chosen a local company who have been recommended by several families. Hope this is the right decision but we liked the owner, price very competitive and service charge reasonable. Downside is that they are not as quick as the big companies but it’s easy to promise a short lead time, harder to meet it.

Thank you for your replies.