Installation and fitting requirements

If you are considering a stair lift, this page will give you an insight into what to expect and any restrictions associated with the actual installation.

Restrictions and limitations

There is little in the way of limitations when it comes to fitting a stairlift. All stair lifts can be designed to be straight or to bend around one or more corners (e.g. landings). The only features that may restrict the fitting of one of these lifts is the stair’s width and the structural suitability of the stair construction or its adjoining wall.

When it comes to working width, the lift, support system, seat and foot rest generally require a minimum operational space of 600mm (2 feet). If the stairway is narrower than this it may present a problem. However, a standing (perch) lift may prove a viable alternative and you can also get narrow "space saver" chairs that reduce the operating width requirement of some stairlifts.

Additionally, the rails, motor and chair all add extra weight to the bearing capacity of the stair, so it is a requirement that the treads or (if there is a wall mounted track) the side wall, are suitably load bearing.

In nearly all cases either both of the conditions above can be met, or a solution can be found to enable an installation.

What to expect

Firstly, the stairlift needs to be purchased and fitted by the same company (or a regulated contractor to the supplier). This will ensure that you get a valid warranty and that there is a single point of contact should you have any query or problem with your installation.

All new stairlifts should be made as factory orders to the precise dimensions that will have been recorded when your staircase was surveyed by the representative of the supplier and fitter.

This means that every component will have been factory sized and checked to accurately fit your unique installation. The design will have been completed using a computer program and all of the parts will have been scheduled and sized to those precise requirements.

The exception to this rule is when someone buys a reconditioned stair lift. This is a lift that has been built, installed and used in another house, but that has been reconditioned and modified to fit into a second property. For some people this can be a very viable and cheap option to buying new. However, it is important to make sure that the seller and fitter are reputable and that they offer a good warranty.

Fitting and installation

All of the information necessary to install the stairlift will have been taken at, before, or immediately after the order was taken and this means that the fitting process is little more than a re-assembly of purpose designed parts in the stair area for which they were intended.

With new factory order stair lifts there are many companies who can supply and fit within one week of an order being placed. This can be invaluable if the lift will be used by someone who is about to be discharged from hospital.

In all but the most unusual and demanding of cases a stairlift can usually be fitted comfortably within a day. In many instances this installation time can be as little as two or three hours. The fitting process should have minimum disruption and the fitters will remove any debris or unused components on their departure.

Instructions and aftercare

Once a stair lift has been successfully installed the fitter should provide a full demonstration, with any necessary training, so that the new owner knows exactly how the lift operates.

Any questions should be answered and the fitter should not leave until the owner is completely satisfied with the installation and understands all of the controls and what they do. When the fitter(s) leave, the purchaser should be able to appreciate and use all of the stairlift’s functions and they should have both an instruction manual for reference and a written warranty in the event of a problem.

Stairlifts do require periodic maintenance checks to make sure that everything is working correctly. Having these checks performed by the supplier may enable you to extend your warranty and they will ensure that your stair lift is kept in good working order.

A rough maintenance schedule will probably be suggested by the supplier at the interval that they recommend for their products. (This may be every year or less frequently.) However these products are normally very reliable and they require little in the way of repair or replacement parts until they have enjoyed several years use.

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