Stair Lifts · Checklists

Stair lift checklists

Before you sign: three in-home quotes on the same specification, verified insurance, a written all-in price, written warranty terms, and a stated service response time. At handover: the actual user does a full round trip, is trained on the controls and the manual lowering procedure, and you receive all documentation.

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Vetting the company. Ask for proof of liability insurance and check licensing requirements with your state board - they vary by state and no website can tell you yours. Ask who installs and who services, whether either is subcontracted, and what the after-hours response time and charge are. Ask for two references from installations done more than a year ago.

Preparing the home. Clear the staircase and the landings at both ends. Decide where the lift will park and confirm it does not block a doorway. Confirm the power supply arrangement and who is doing the electrical work. Plan for the installer needing access for several hours.

Safe daily use. Seatbelt every trip, no exceptions. Nothing left on the stairs. Park on the charge point. Keep both remotes charged or in their holders at top and bottom. Never carry items in both hands while riding - the point of a lift is a free hand for the armrest and the transfer.

Handover. Do not sign the completion paperwork until the person who will use the lift has done a full round trip unaided, operated the swivel and the seatbelt, called the lift from both ends, and until someone in the household has been shown the manual lowering procedure. Collect the warranty, the model and serial number, the service schedule and a direct phone number for faults.

How to choose

Verify insurance with the insurer: Ask for the certificate and call the number on it. An emailed certificate from the contractor is not verification.
Do not pay in full before handover: Hold the final payment until the user has completed a full unaided round trip and you have all the documentation.
Train the user, not the family: The person riding the lift must be trained on the controls, the swivel, the belt and the emergency procedure - by the installer, at handover.
Write the fault number on the wall by the stairs: In an emergency nobody will find a folder. Put the model, serial and service phone number somewhere visible near the lift.
Refuse same-day pricing pressure: This category sells to people in a stressful week. A price that expires tonight is a sales tactic, not an offer.

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All stair lifts checklists

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FAQ

Stair Lifts checklists — common questions

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What should I ask a stair lift company before buying?

Who installs and who services; the after-hours response time and charge; the all-in written price and what it excludes; the exact warranty terms including labor and call-out; the model's rated weight capacity; and the lead time, especially for a curved rail.

Do stair lift installers need a license?

It varies by state and sometimes city. Check with your state licensing board directly. Verify liability insurance regardless of what licensing requires.

What should happen at handover?

A full unaided round trip by the user, training on controls, swivel and seatbelt, a demonstration of the manual lowering procedure to a household member, and delivery of warranty, model and serial details and the service schedule.

What are the daily safety rules?

Seatbelt every trip, stairs kept clear, park on the charge point, remotes at both ends, and never ride with both hands full.