5 Questions to Ask About Installing or Replacing Stair Lifts

A stair lift can turn an inaccessible part of your home into a safer, usable space for anyone needing assistance getting up the stairs. This accessible home remodeling project can be a major undertaking, but being prepared to ask questions before you hire a contractor can help you make smart decisions about installing a stair lift. We’ve answered some of the most common stair lift questions to get your lift off the ground and running.

1. What kind of lift are you interested in?

The type of stair lift you choose for your home can impact the installation method, installation time, and price. There are four types of stair lifts available on the market, including:

• Straight stair lifts

• Curved stair lifts

• Platform stair lifts

• Outdoor stair lifts

Curved stair lifts cost the most, ranging from $7,500 to $30,000. By comparison, a standard stair lift costs between $2,000 and $9,000 on average.

2. When do you need this work done?

If you're installing an outdoor stair lift, consider when you need the work done, as weather can impact when a professional can come to install it. Indoor stair lifts may have more wiggle room for when you can install them, but you could save on costs by hiring a local stair lift installation pro during the slow season, like winter.

3. How far should the lift go?

Your stairs’ overall rise and length determine how far the stair lift should go and how much it should rise. A standard flight of stairs has anywhere from 13 to 16 steps, and the average length, or vertical height, of a flight of stairs is between 8 and 11 feet. If your ceiling is 9 or 10 feet tall, you may have more steps than average—this means your stairlift may need to be longer. 

Measure the length of your staircase so that your installer can anticipate any additional time and materials needed to complete the stair lift installation or replacement. 

4. What is the location of the lift?

If you're installing a stair lift in a tight or hard-to-reach space, relay this information to your stair lift installer ahead of time. Stair lifts located in a difficult part of the home could require more time to install successfully. Likewise, an outdoor lift may be more challenging to install than a standard stair lift—especially if you’re customizing the lift to work around obstacles or need a lift that’s longer than average.

5. What is the condition of your existing stair lift?

For stair lift replacements or repairs, troubleshooting the problem can help your pro know what course of action to take before even arriving at your house, which can help you receive a more accurate quote. In some cases, a pro can repair your stair lift instead of replacing it, helping you avoid replacement costs. Common stair lift troubleshooting problems are:

• Faulty key switch position

• Power supply issues

• Flipped battery disconnect switch

• Expired batteries in the remote control

• Circuit overload from too many electronics on the electrical circuit

• Displaced swivel seat position

• Misaligned armrest or footrest

• Safety sensor obstruction