FAQs

On this page we have provided answers to the most common questions we get asked about stairlifts.

If you do have any questions which we have not covered here then please feel free to send us a message on our Contact page.

Alternatively you can call us direct on 0151 525 3610 or visit us at our showroom located at 560 Longmoor Lane, L10 9LA.

Why choose the Mobility Living Centre?

We are a local family firm and independent of any manufacturer, but offer stairlifts from all the major manufacturers allowing us to offer you a range of stairlifts to suit your individual budget and needs. We also offer a free no obligation home survey and, unless you need a curved stairlift, we can usually offer next day installation.

Does the stairlift rail fix to the wall or the stairs?

We fit all our stairlifts directly to the treads of the stairs, straight or curved. The weight of the stairlift is then supported by the stairs rather than the wall. This means that we can fit stairlifts in houses with non-supporting or plaster board walls.

How long does it take to install a stairlift?

A straight stairlift can usually be fitted within 2 hours, a curved stairlift or outdoor stairlift can take slightly longer. Our representative can advise you further on the time taken to fit any particular stairlift.

What happens if there is a power cut?

The majority of our stairlifts now run on batteries that automatically charge when the stairlift is not in use. This ensures that if there is a power cut the stairlift will continue to operate.

We also keep a full stock of replacement batteries, or can order them on request fairly quickly if we don’t have a particular model in stock

What is the maximum weight a stairlift can carry?

The Maximum weight will vary between the type and model of stairlift, but it generally ranges from 120kg (18.9 stone) to 180kg (28.3 stone) for our heavy duty models. We can advise which model would suit your exact requirements.

How much does a stairlift cost?

At the Mobility Living Centre our reconditioned straight stairlifts start from £699 supplied and are fitted with 12 months parts and labour warranty. New straight stairlifts begin at £1199, again with 12 months full warranty.

The prices of our made to measure. Curved stairlifts are subject to stair configuration but start from £2999.

How much does a stairlift cost to run?

The stairlifts that we supply are very economical and environmentally friendly. A typical stairlift costs pennies to run over a year.

Can you rent stairlifts?

Yes – we have a selection of rental stairlifts. For a straight rental stairlift the installation cost is £350 which covers the cost of installation and removal. Our stairlift rental is then £50 per calendar month with no minimum rental term.

Will the stairlift take up the majority of my stair space and how will other people get upstairs?

Today’s stairlift’s are very compact and take up minimal space on the stairs. Many of our stairlifts also have lift-up seat which makes them very compact when not in use. There is usually plenty space for other staircase users to use the stairs safely.

What is the delivery time for a stairlift?

Next day installation is available for straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts can usually be fitted within 7 working days from final site survey, due to ordering the customised rails.

What guarantee do I get with my stairlift and do you offer warranties or service contracts?

All our New or Reconditioned stairlifts come with a 12 months parts and labour warranty. We also offer very keenly priced extended warranties and maintenance contracts which offer excellent value for money.

My stairlift was fitted by another company, do you look after maintenance on these lifts?

We offer an insurance package on lifts regardless of whether we fitted them initially, however we would need to check the lift thoroughly prior to a customer taking out an insurance warranty with us; any existing faults would need to be rectified and paid for by the Client before a warranty is taken out.

What happens when a stairlift is no longer needed?

We offer a buy back policy so we will make you an offer for your stairlift when it is no longer required. We can also remove the stairlift for you.

Why shouldn’t I buy a second hand stairlift on the internet or through a newspaper and get it installed by a friend/relative?

Stairlifts are usually individually tailored to specific customer requirements. We have taken a number of calls from customers who have purchased stairlifts from either a newspaper or via the internet, and often find that either they are not suitable for their staircase or they have incomplete or incorrect fixings.

Stairlifts, as with any technical piece of machinery, should only be fitted by a fully experienced and qualified stairlift engineer. Incorrectly fitted stairlifts can compromise a user’s safety and can be very dangerous.

We would always advise that any stairlift is supplied, fitted and maintained by a reputable company with experienced and qualified installers.

Will the cheapest stairlift installer give me the best value for money?

It is often true in life that you get what you pay for and the cheapest is very rarely the best. When you are comparing prices from different suppliers or installers always may sure that you get a written quotation, which specifies the exact stairlift you will receive, the warranty period, the installation and what the warranty covers.

It is also important to check what kind of aftercare the company will offer you and also how local the company are to you. When choosing a stairlift supplier always look out for the BHTA logo.

All BHTA members have to abide by a code of practise which is approved by trading standards.

How do I avoid getting a stairlift installed which isn’t suitable for my needs?

We often come across customers who have had stairlifts installed that are not suitable for their specific needs. The Mobility Living Centre will come to your home or business and measure your stairs and ask you questions so that we can advise on the most suitable stairlift for your requirements.

We have a number of stairlifts at our mobility shop which you are welcome to try to ensure that we fit the right stairlift for you.

What types or Brands of stairlifts do you supply and fit?

The majority of the stairlifts we supply are manufactured by Stannah, Acorn and Brooks although some of our specialist, rental or second-hand stairlifts may be from other manufacturers.

Stannah

Stannah started in 1867 when Joseph Stannah set up his business in London manufacturing cranes and hoists for ships. In 1975 they started manufacturing stairlifts and this is now their core business. They manufactured their 600,000th stairlift in 2015.

Choosing to buy and have installed a Stannah stairlift from Stairlift specialists Ltd means that you are buying a top quality stairlift from an experienced manufacturer, coupled with the excellent service and aftercare provided by an experienced smaller family run firm with many happy customers.

Acorn

Acorn stairlifts are a Yorkshire based company with over 20 years experience in the stairlifts industry. As an experienced manufacturer all acorn stairlifts are independently tested to comply with both European safety standards (BS EN 81-40:2008) and worldwide standard for stairlifts (ISO 9836-2:2000).

Purchasing an Acorn stairlift from the Mobility Living Centre, ensures that that you are getting a top quality stairlift from a family firm with excellent pre-sales advise and aftercare at a very keen price.

Brooks

Brooks stairlifts are another British manufacturer who have been manufacturing stairlifts since 1973. It was originally called the Fred Brooks stairlift company, Fred learnt his trade as an engineer for Daimler Benz giving him expertise that is synonymous with high quality.

The weight capacity of a Brooks stairlift is lower than some other brands at 20 stone, so are not suitable for every customer’s requirements.