Everyone has the right to feel safe, comfortable, and free in their own home. But people with reduced mobility may be forced to rely on others to accomplish the simplest household tasks. Even navigating their own stairs.
Fortunately, the latest stairlifts make it easy to improve accessibility inside and outside the home. You can move from one floor to another without waiting for a partner, relative, or carer to help you.
But there’s a lot to think about when looking for the best stairlift company in your area, whether you’re renovating your home to make it safer for yourself or a loved one, or building a property for someone with reduced mobility from scratch.
So, how do you find the right company?
Explore their pre-sale service
A comprehensive pre-sale service is vital to help you find the ideal stairlift for your project.
A reputable stairlift business will take the time to understand:
● Your mobility needs
● Your budget
● Your property’s layout
● Your staircase
● Any potential obstacles
Why? Because each of these factors determines the model(s) of stairlift a supplier presents to you.
For example, different stairlifts are available to suit curved and straight staircases. And an unusually narrow hallway could present technicians with installation challenges that must be addressed as soon as possible.
The best stairlift company in your area will offer professional in-home or virtual consultations. Viewing your property in person or via a screen will provide them with first-hand insight into the work involved and your project’s unique requirements.
You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions or address any concerns you may have before you make a decision. When you choose an efficient, experienced team, a good consultation will be comprehensive but still last less than an hour.
Ask about the company’s range of products
Improving accessibility inside and outside your home may require more than a single stairlift.
Perhaps you struggle to get in and out of your car by yourself safely. You could feel unsafe using your own bathroom alone, especially when the floor becomes wet. Or maybe you’d love to climb out of your backyard pool without assistance for the first time in a long while.
The best stairlift company will offer an extensive portfolio of accessibility products, and help you understand how each could benefit you.
For instance, they could supply ramps, pool lifts, railings, transferring devices, and more. Each of these has the power to increase your self-reliance. A simple grab bar fitted to a bathroom wall can make all the difference.
And they won’t bombard you with jargon or pressure you into buying the most expensive option. They’ll offer transparent advice based on your unique needs and accessibility goals.
Look into the stairlift installation process
Good installation is vital when purchasing one or more stairlifts. Everything has to be positioned right to allow the chair to move along its rail safely and securely every single time.
But an unreliable stairlift company may send someone without the skills, experience, or proper equipment to handle the installation. And that could waste time, money, or even lead to potential safety hazards.
This is totally unacceptable. You want to enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that your stairlift has been installed by a well-trained technician with the essential expertise to set up each of the company’s accessibility products.
They’ll be happy to talk you through the installation process from start to finish, so you know what to expect.
Find out if the company offers warranties
Stairlifts are more important to your daily life than some of the other electronic devices in your home. You may depend on yours to carry you up and down stairs several times each day. Sadly, any technical issues could disrupt your independence and general quality of life.
That’s why a good warranty is fundamental. This will reassure you that the company is committed to selling quality products and taking action to keep your stairlift operating as it should.
The best stairlift companies are authorized to service their products, for a complete customer experience. They’ll also have access to the parts they need for potential repairs or replacements. This will minimize the amount of time you wait to take advantage of your stairlift again.
Assess their “try before you buy” service
Choosing one stairlift from several models can be hard if you’ve never used them before. You might worry about how comfortable a chair will be, how smoothly it moves, or any other element of its performance.
You don’t want to invest in a stairlift only to discover it’s not quite right for you.
Fortunately, the best company will offer “try before you buy” stairlifts. This is a valuable opportunity to get a first-hand experience of a particular model before you commit to purchasing it.
This option demonstrates the stairlift company’s commitment to quality service and customer experience. They won’t chase a quick profit by selling you just any stairlift, whether it’s the best fit for you or your property. They’ll take the time to determine which model will work for you.
Research the company’s reputation
Quality stairlift companies will have a positive reputation online and offline.
Search for reviews from real customers just like you. These can provide you with a genuine insight into the level of service and products you’ll receive.
Offline reviews still have their place, of course. Ask people you trust in your local community for advice, whether they use a stairlift in their home or know someone who does.
A good company will be available to answer your questions, so be wary if a team appears hard to track down.
These factors are important to Total Access Solutions. We care about providing you with dedicated service, honest advice, and high-quality stairlifts from a range of manufacturers.
We’ve supplied customers just like you with stairlifts for many years, across Toronto and GTA. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our friendly team today!