I get this question over the phone regularly. Let’s listen in to a phone call from Mary and learn how to get closer to the answer…
Good Afternoon, this is David with Rollin’ Along. Your mobility matters, how can I help you?
I need a stair lift, how much will it cost?
We have installed stair lifts that run from $3,000 to over $30,000. I will need to know some more about your stairs and you before I can properly answer that question. First I would like to ask you your name?
Mary
Thanks, Mary can you tell me who needs help with the stairs?
John, my father in law. He is 89 and cannot make it up the stairs without getting out of breath.
Thanks for calling us about your father-in-law’s need, now can you tell me about the stairs? It helps to describe them starting at the bottom.
Well, our stairs go straight up then there is a landing and then they go straight up some more.
Tell me more about the turn. If you flew overhead and looked down at your stairs, would you call it a U-Turn or just a Right or Left turn?
It looks to me like a U-Turn. It goes right back on itself.
Thanks, that really gives me a good idea of what kind of a staircase you have. Are these stairs inside out of the weather?
Yes, they go from the living room up to the bedrooms.
And my last question here is, “What are the stairs made of?”
The stairs are made out of wood except at the bottom two steps, they are made of terrazzo.
Mary, based on your description, you will likely appreciate a custom curved indoor stair lift. This takes about 6 to 8 weeks to fabricate and install.
Based on the answers to these questions I can get a pretty good idea of what Mary might need. However, if I were to quote the cost exactly based on these questions one of us would not walk away happy.
I can give a budgetary estimate of about $13,000 to $18,000, BUT, what if there are some intrusions on the stairway that Mary had not noticed? What about two straight stair lifts?
During a recent site evaluation, we discovered that the stairway was damaged, and repairs would be needed before a stair lift could be installed. Other items we discover include: Where will we get power? Will the door obstruct the carriage at the top?
Some of the choices can increase the costs, others decrease them. We all do best when we can see each other face to face, can together look at the stairs and come to a decision about how best to fit a stair lift to them.
No matter what kind of stairs you have, we can help you with a fitted solution.
David Lincer, Owner
Rollin’ Along
