Hildebrandt Mobility LLC

Stair Lift Guide A practical guide for

choosing the correct stair lift for your home or business

Considering a Stair Lift? Having a stair lift installed in your home or business is a great way to safely retain your independence. There are many different styles and brands of stair lifts on the market today, which can make choosing the best one for your situation an overwhelming choice. The purpose of this guide is to help you make an educated decision when choosing a stair lift. Let’s start by debunking some of the myths that are associated with stair lift installation.

• Stair lifts are attached to the home through the stair treads so there is no damage or attachments to the wall.

• All of the quality stair lifts on the market are battery powered and only need a standard household outlet to run a charger that maintains the batteries. No special outlet is required.

• My stairs are too narrow to install a stair lift. Stair lifts can be installed on stairs as narrow as 27” wide.

Whenever a staircase turns or has a landing in the middle a special stair lift is required.

Important Considerations • Staircase configuration

• The weight of the user

• Intended length of use

• The physical and mental abilities of the user

• Safety features of the stair lift

• Quality, reliability and warranty of the stair lift

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Do you have a staircase that turns?

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Choosing the right brand and dealer

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All stair lifts and stair lift dealers are not the same and care should be taken when choosing both. As with anything else if it seems to good to be true it probably is. We realize that everyone has a budget and that you may not want or need the most expensive stair lift on the market. That being said you should never sacrifice safety or quality when choosing a stair lift. Take a moment to think about the consequences of falling down the staircase because of a malfunction.

This could be the single most important step in choosing a stair lift. Working with the right people will help you avoid dangerous and costly issues.

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Stair lift installation should only be performed by a trained technician and self-installation should not be attempted. We receive numerous calls each week from people looking for help that have purchased a new or used stair lift off of the internet and cannot get the stair lift to work properly if at all after attempting a self-installation. As with any mechanical device stair lifts do need to be serviced and or repaired from time to time so choosing a full

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service local dealer is a wise decision. Always look at the manufacturers reviews on the BBB website and check consumer complaint websites to see how many complaints there are for each brand you are considering. Another key thing to look at is the warranty as many companies sell lifts at a discounted rate by offering little or no warranty. Often the difference in cost between a quality lift with a full warranty and an inferior lift with little or no warranty is as little

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as 25% of the total cost. After a bit of research it becomes obvious which stair lifts are made with quality in mind and which ones are not.

Choosing the right dealer is imperative and there are a few things to look at when considering one. Does their insurance policy cover them for stair lift installation?

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Some manufacturers subcontract installations through local handymen that are not covered for this type of work. How many stair lifts do they install a year? Many companies that sell stair lifts actually install very few in a year because their primary focus is on durable medical equipment or automotive access solutions. What

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type of relationship do they have with their manufacturer? A quality dealer will have a good reputation and relationship with their manufacturer so give them a call

and inquire about potential dealers.

Take a look at all of your options!

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What if there is a door or walkway at the bottom of my stairs?

If you have a straight staircase that has a door at the bottom or a walkway that cannot be blocked by a conventional stair lift you still have options. Power hinged rails or slide tracks are a great solution to this obstacle because the track is automatically moved out of the way as the chair travels up the stairs. This allows you all of the safety and convenience of a standard stair lift without sacrificing a part of your home.

What if I have a door at the very top of my staircase?

This is an example where a quality stair lift is designed in a way that allows you to retain the door without sacrificing the function of the stair lift. This is often called a zero intrusion installation and all brands worth considering should have this option. There is no reason for you to remove or modify your door to install a stair lift if you choose the correct model.

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What if I have a staircase that turns or has a landing in the middle?

If you have a staircase with a configuration like this you will need to install a lift that is custom made specifically for your home. There are many manufacturers and dealers that do not offer custom stair lifts because they are not equipped to build or install one. With the proper tools, training and technology building and installing a custom stair lift is a painless process without them it is dangerous and intimidating. During the initial consultation we will discuss the options and desired configuration of your stair lift and take some measurements in order to give you a bid. Upon acceptance of the bid we will come to your home and complete a site survey, which consist of taking calibrated photos of your stairs using our stair tracker system. This information is then sent to the manufacturer and a custom rail is designed for your stairs. We will then revisit your home to make sure the drawing is correct and show you a drawing of

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what your new stair lift will look like. We then come out to your home to install the lift as soon as it arrives from the manufacturer. You should be leery of a dealer that measures the staircase instead of using a photo survey system as the lift will not be as precise or safe to use. Also avoid modular custom

lifts, as they are very bumpy because they consist of stock parts that are modified to fit your stairs instead of being designed with your

configuration in mind.

Different stair lift options and designs

Choosing the proper model and configuration is an important step in the

purchasing process. New or used straight or curved there is a solution for every

staircase and user. Let’s take a closer look at the some of the options on the market.

Stair lifts are a great solution for laundry and are much cheaper than moving a washer and

dryer to a different floor!

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What if I need to put a stair lift outside of my home?

Many homes have stairs leading up to the home on the outside and installing an exterior grade stair lift is a great solution for navigating them safely. Since these lifts are exposed to the elements it is even more critical to pick a lift with a good reputation and warranty. Exterior lifts should come with a key switch so you can prevent unauthorized use.

Should I consider a used stair lift?

Used stair lifts can be a great solution for those who cannot afford to purchase a new unit or plan to use the machine limited times. As with any other machine buying a used unit can be a nightmare if not done properly. You should only consider a used lift that is purchased from a dealer so you can ensure that it has been inspected and will be safe to use. This also ensures that you have a model installed that was intended for your staircase design. Most stair lifts are designed to have a 10-15 year life expectancy so this should be kept in mind when considering this option. You should also be aware that many manufacturers have closed their doors within the past 5 years so there are no longer parts available for these brands making them very risky to purchase.

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What about stair lift rentals?

Renting a stair lift can be a great solution for someone with a short-term need or someone who is unsure about the length of time the lift will be needed. At Hildebrandt Mobility we have a flexible rental program that allows you to purchase the unit outright within the first three months for the same price you would pay if you were to purchase the lift up front. As you can see stair lift rental can be a great option for those with a straight staircase.

What can I expect when working with Hildebrandt Mobility?

At Hildebrandt Mobility we strive to make sure every customer gets the attention and quality experience they deserve. We never hard sell our products and offer a customer service experience that is second to none. All of our installers are factory trained and certified so you can rest assured that the product you purchase will be installed correctly and come with the full manufacturers warranty. No matter what your situation or budget we can help you find a safe, reliable stair lift solution to fit your needs. For more information about stair lifts please give us a call, we are always happy to help.

In St. Louis 314-686-9720

In Omaha 402-253-0631

Continued

Outdoor stair lifts are a great solution for

stairs leading up to a home.

Make sure that you choose an outdoor stair lift that was

engineered to be outside. Many outdoor lifts are converted

interior units and they do not hold up to the elements as a

result.

A stair lift allows you to stay in the home you love safely and

independently! Having a stair lift installed in

your home is a great alternative to moving and less expensive as

well. With the cost of most independent living facilities reaching well past $5000 a

month, aging in the home you love is a wise financial decision.

It is imperative that the home be as safe as possible in order

for you to remain there as long as possible.