December 2023
If going up and down the stairs in your home is becoming increasingly difficult, which is the case for most senior people, perhaps you should consider installing a stairlift.
Stairlifts allow users to manoeuvre around the house while maintaining their independence. This makes life much easier for seniors and anyone in need of mobility equipment due to a disability or medical condition.
When it comes to buying stairlifts, you can either buy a brand new model or reconditioned stair lifts. Here we will outline the pros and cons of the latter option.
Reconditioned temporary stairlifts are used or damaged stairlifts that have been renovated or fixed and later offered for resale. A reconditioned stairlift has been restored to perfect working order, with all defective parts replaced and everything in good repair.
A stairlift is classified as reconditioned only if the work is carried out by the manufacturer or a manufacturer-certified supplier; second hand stairlifts, on the other hand, will not have been safely refurbished and fitted to your home.
This is the number one benefit of buying a reconditioned stairlift. Instead of paying for a new stairlift, the only costs you have to pay for re-conditioned stairlifts are parts and labour.
This reduces the cost of labour and the special materials needed, making used stairlifts much cheaper overall than brand new stairlifts, with a variety of competitive price options.
We tend to assume that all used things may have issues. But when it comes to reconditioned stairlifts, this is not the case.
A re-conditioned stairlift is factory refurbished to the same standards as a new stairlift. Plus, the stairlift as a whole is rigorously tested by a trained engineer to ensure it is in good working order and will provide a safe user experience.
Instead of dumping a damaged or used stairlift in the landfill, reconditioned stairlifts live a second life. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfill, which in turn leaves a positive impact on our environment.
Most companies offer the same labour warranty and after-sale services for their reconditioned stairlifts as they would with new ones. This provides the same level of quality assurances, thereby giving customers peace of mind.
If you are looking at reconditioned stairlifts, you might find this video useful.
As with any home improvements, you need to make the right decisions when buying and installing a stairlift. First off, consult with your Occupational Therapist to see if they agree that a stairlift is the best option for your situation.
Then, make sure you don’t proceed with stairlifts purchases without having first received expert advice.
A home visit from the company is necessary. The surveyor will take precise measurements to ensure the stairlift fits every millimetre of your stairs perfectly and adheres to safety measures.
(Coronavirus update- home visits may not be available at the moment. Many companies will provide a brochure guide with information on their products or allow you to contact them over the phone if this is the case.)
Take up that opportunity to find out about the different stairlifts models available, financing options, and any other questions you may have. Having a family member present to help remember all the information they give you, and compare one company’s quote with another, can be a good idea.
A new straight stairlift can cost around £2000, while a new curved staircase tends to cost around £4000, and can cost as much as £9000! This can prove a major financial burden. Reconditioned stairlifts, however, can cost as little as half the price of an equivalent new model! (Stairlift installation is not included in these estimates.)
Reconditioned stairlift prices will depend on a number of factors, including the model, brand, type and length of the track, straight and curved models, as well as any additional features and specifications that you may need to improve the stairlift’s functionality.
Generally, a reconditioned straight stairlift in the UK is cheaper than a reconditioned curved stairlift since you’ll need a bespoke curved track to fit your home. This will add to the cost of parts and labour. In fact, you can expect each corner of your staircase to as much as double the initial cost.
That being said, the average cost of a reconditioned stairlift is £1,990.
Prices start from as low as £875 for a reconditioned straight stairlift and £2975 for the reconditioned curved stairlift. Most prices are inclusive of installation costs, parts, extra features such as customised controls, and a warranty.
The average price of a reconditioned curved stairlift is around £2,500. This price can vary depending on the features and brand of the stairlift. When considering purchasing a stairlift, it is important to consult with a professional to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal.
Call now on 0333 567 1612 to get a quote or to discuss your stairlift requirements.
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A video about Acorn stairlifts and how they work
Many major stairlift companies, such as Acorn and Stannah Stairlifts, offer a range of different financing options to make purchase of their mobility aids easier. Even so, even used stairlifts are fairly expensive items and a good number of people who need them require some financial help, which can count towards purchase and service support.
If you have a chronic health condition or are registered disabled, you can claim a VAT exemption, which can reduce your costs by a sixth. You may also be eligible for grants from local authorities or social services in some areas.
Some grants worth looking into include:
Once you’ve decided that a stairlift is the right option for you, take care to choose one that best suits your needs before coming to a decision.
With so many options to choose from, settling on one option from the range of reconditioned stair lifts can seem like a daunting task. To help make the buying process easier, here are a few things to consider when buying a reconditioned stairlift:
This is the most important thing to consider when choosing stairlifts. A mobility device should make the user’s life easier, safer, and more comfortable.
Be sure to help the dealer understand the mobility needs of the user so they can recommend the best possible solution.
If you’re looking for a stairlift for your curved stairs, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, most stairlifts are designed for straight stairs, so you’ll need to find a model that specifically says it can be used on curved stairs. Second, because of the way they’re designed, stairlifts for curved stairs will generally be more expensive than those for straight stairs.
That said, there are a few companies that make stairlifts specifically for curved stairs, and they can be a great option if you’re looking for a way to stay independent in your home.
The size and shape of your staircase will also determine the type of reconditioned stairlifts you can have installed. For instance:
These are suitable for homes in which the stairs have no curves, turns, or immediate landings. If this is the kind of staircase in your home, then the standardized reconditioned straight stairlift should be perfect.
This type of model is, by far, the most common, easy to install, and cheap stairlift available. With this stairlift, the entire assembly is pre-owned, including the drive unit, rail, and seat.
However, stairs in some properties have turns, curves, or immediate landings. As such, some buyers should consider reconditioned curved stairlifts. Given that each curved staircase is unique, curved stairlifts are often custom-made to fit the specific space. In that case, the rail is brand new, but other parts- usually the power unit/ batteries, seat, and rollers- are pre-owned.
Reconditioned curved stairlifts tend to be a bit more costly to buy and install than a straight used stairlift. Stairlifts reconditioned to fit curved staircases can be expensive.
A leading stairlift company will stock reconditioned stairlifts suitable for a range of staircase types, and within a large or small budget.
You may need outdoor stairlifts to access outdoor spaces like stairs up to your front door, down to the garage, out to the back garden, or around the patio.
They can be straight and curved, although most manufacturers offer only the straight outdoor models.
These models differ from the indoor stairlifts by being made of weatherproof materials to withstand outdoor conditions.
When it comes to seating, there are two choices to make: seated or perch stairlifts. Both options will swivel to ensure users can enter and exit the equipment safely.
A set of safety features will help ensure user safety by preventing falls and injury. It’s important to make sure the stairlift you choose has them. This includes:
A reputable supplier will provide the same level of quality assurance on their reconditioned stair lifts as that offered on their new ones.
In fact, most of them back this up by offering 12 months or more of full warranty with their reconditioned models, meaning there is a guarantee that any problems will be sorted by trained stairlift engineers. To ensure you’re getting the best deal possible, compare rates from a range of companies and read online reviews from independent parties.
In addition, to ensure the stairlifts reconditioned by the company are safe, make sure the company is recognized as meeting the professionalism standards set by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Even though most stairlift products have a standard carrying capacity of 300 lbs, manufacturers offer at least one model that can accommodate up to 450 lbs.
They also offer an optional seat upgrade to keep any buyer comfortable.
Ideally, the warranty should last at least a year from the time of installation and cover any performance issues that may affect the normal operation of the device.
This is not always the case though, so do check the warranty period and note any exclusion. Make sure critical parts like the gearbox, rail, and motor are covered, and that a full labour warranty is included.
This will help save money on maintenance, ensure reliability, and avoid possible hazardous situations.
A reconditioned stair lift typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000. The cost will depend on the brand, model, and condition of the stair lift. Installation costs are usually extra and can range from £500 to£1,000.
There’s a big difference between second hand stairlifts and reconditioned stairlifts.
Reconditioned stairlifts must be taken back to the manufacturer or supplier before it’s available for resale, while a second hand stairlift has already been put to use by another user, with all the associated wear and tear. Therefore second hand stairlifts can be cheaper; but don’t be tempted to cut corners on safety by buying a second hand stairlift.
A used stairlift is not recommended for a number of reasons:
As you can see, buying a second hand stairlift leaves a lot of room for error. If you’re looking for used stairlifts, a reconditioned model from a reputable company is a better choice than a second hand model.
You get a fully refurbished, cheap, stair lift with all parts in good working order. Plus, help is available in case of a breakdown, which gives it an edge over second hand stairlifts.
Some companies have reconditioned stairlifts available to rent. This is a more economical option if you need the reconditioned stairlift for a set period of time such as if you’re recovering from a surgery or an accident.
It can also come in handy if the user is not planning on remaining in the property in the longer term.
There’s usually an initial fee, which covers installation, removal, replacement parts, and other servicing costs during the contract period.
This can cost from as low as £350 to more than £1,000. You’ll also be required to make monthly payments for the duration of the contract. Rental fees usually range from £10 a week for straight reconditioned stairlifts, while curved reconditioned stairlifts costs from £150 a week.
Where you buy from matters; luckily, there’s a wide range of companies that make, sell, and install stairlifts.
Consider one that is upfront about pricing, doesn’t pressure-sell, offers reliable after-sale services, and most importantly, offers the best value for money in terms of quality.
If you still don’t know where to start, here’s a range of the most popular stairlift manufacturers in the UK:
You can contact an Acorn stair lift specialist in one of 3 ways:
Monday to Thursday : 8am – 7pm
Friday : 8am – 5:30pm
Saturday & Sunday : 9am – 5pm
Leave your contact details below, and one of the Acorn team will give you a call to discuss your needs.
Please note that Acorn Stairlifts undertake all calls.
The price of a stairlift can be expensive. This articles examines the costs involved in buying a stairlift and what is involved in its installation.
Curved stairlifts are necessary where you do not have a straight staircase. In this article we look at what you need to consider if getting one.
A reconditioned stairlift can be a good balance between a new and second hand stairlift. In this article we look at what you need to look out for.
A used stairlift is a good option if you are looking to save some money. This article looks at what you need to think about if you want to buy one.
A second hand stairlift is a great cheap option if you need to be careful about what you spend. In this article we look at what you need to consider.
Buying a stairlift can be expensive. Therefore, and especially if you need it on a temporary basis, renting one could be a good option to consider.
Stairlifts range in prices. This article looks at what you need to consider if you want to buy a cheap stairlift and what it may cost you.
If you have a narrow set of stairs then you may need a specialist staircase. In this article we look at the issues involved in getting one fitted.
Equity Release is one way that you can pay for your stairlift. Use our calculator to see how much money you could receive from your home.
A reconditioned stairlift is a previously owned stairlift that has been restored to working order. Reconditioned stairlifts are an affordable alternative to purchasing a brand-new stairlift for those with a limited budget.
The cost of a reconditioned stairlift in the United Kingdom can vary depending on the stairlift’s make and model, age, and condition. Expect to pay between £1,000 and £3,000 for a reconditioned straight stairlift and between £3,000 and £6,000 for a reconditioned curved stairlift. However, prices will vary based on specific requirements and circumstances.
Yes, reconditioned stairlifts are safe to use if they are properly installed and maintained. It is essential to purchase a stairlift from a reputable vendor who provides a warranty and has rigorously tested and maintained the device. In order to ensure maximum safety and comfort, it is also essential that the stairlift be installed by a trained professional.
When considering the purchase of a reconditioned stairlift, it is essential to consider your unique needs and circumstances. You should verify that the stairlift is compatible with your staircase and meets your mobility requirements. Additionally, it is essential to purchase the stairlift from a reputable vendor who offers a warranty and has rigorously tested and maintained the product. A professional installer can also advise you on the best type of stairlift for your specific needs and ensure that the stairlift is installed correctly.
Rob writes and edits the content produced by the rest of the team. He has a degree in History from Leeds University and has producing, reviewing and editing the site since 2016
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