Who needs to use it — and how?
A seated stairlift assumes the user can transfer onto the chair, remain in a stable sitting position and get off at the other end. Someone who becomes dizzy, cannot bend a knee comfortably or relies on a wheelchair may need a different arrangement. Try the seat, controls, armrests and footrest rather than judging from a brochure. If mobility is changing, ask whether the proposed lift will still be manageable in a year or two.
What the survey should measure
The surveyor will measure the stair width, turns, landings, doorways and the clear space at both ends. The rail is normally fixed to the stairs rather than the wall. A radiator, windowsill or cupboard may affect where the chair parks. At the top, the seat may need to swivel so the user steps onto the landing rather than towards the staircase. That detail deserves a real demonstration.
How other people will use the stairs
Folded dimensions matter in a busy household. Ask to see how far the rail, seat, arms and footrest project when parked. Consider children, visitors, anyone carrying washing and whether there is only one escape route from upstairs. A hinged rail can sometimes keep a doorway clear at the bottom, but it adds moving parts and must be included in the quotation.
Straight, curved and outdoor lifts
A straight rail suits a single straight flight. A staircase with a bend, intermediate landing or change of angle usually needs a made-to-measure curved rail, although two straight lifts can occasionally be considered. Outdoor lifts need weather-resistant components and a safe, firm approach. The cheapest layout is not automatically the easiest one to use.
Questions to settle before ordering
Ask what happens during a power cut, how the batteries are charged, how quickly breakdown calls are handled and which parts the guarantee covers. Check the total price, servicing arrangements and removal terms. If council help might be available, speak to the council before placing an order or paying a deposit, because starting work early can affect an application.
Notice what happens on a difficult day
Try to judge the arrangement when pain, fatigue or stiffness is worse, not only during a good showroom trial. Think about night-time use, carrying a walking stick and reaching the light switch at each end. If the user sometimes needs another person nearby, decide where that person can stand without being on the stairs. Ask whether the chair can be called from either floor and whether controls can be positioned for the hand the user finds easiest. These details often decide whether the lift becomes part of the daily routine or is avoided after the first few weeks. Ask the surveyor to record the user's height, which side is stronger and whether a stick or frame must travel too. A remote control left on another floor is no help, so agree where controls will be kept. Check that pets cannot get beneath a moving footrest and that trailing clothing will not catch. If memory or sight is affected, the control should be simple and its direction obvious. The final handover should include every regular user, not just the person present on installation day.
Still not sure what would work at home?
Tell us which part of the day is proving difficult and what has already been suggested. We can help you think through the questions to ask and the sort of assessment or specialist that may be useful.
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