Stair lifts

[vulcantanker]

I know this is not actually about fibromyalgia but I know some of you use a stair lift.

We had a stair lift fitted 2 years ago and now the guarantee has expired. The company now wants £370. annually to service and maintain it. A lift has an approximate life of 10 years so in ten years we will have paid them the cost of a new one nearly, except we will have to pay another £4000.00.

I don't know who to ask . Does anyone have any ideas. Thank you. Happy New year.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

HI there, I am sorry I don't quite understand the question. You are asking who do you ask. Ask what exactly. I would think you would have to pay for it to be serviced if you wish to feel safe when using it. Sorry I can't be of more help. Maybe you could be a little more specific

Momo

[rosewine]

Have you had quotes from other people as you are not obliged to go with the company who installed it. Some smaller independent engineers might turn out to be cheaper.x

[vulcantanker]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately although due to OT assessment we were due a stair lift and wet room but council said we own our home so no to paying for either.

I was looking for some advice to what other people do. We are saving really hard to get a desperately needed wet room so I am trying to search for the best use of our money.

Think we will have to go with the firm for this year as we have a short decision time and see next year.

Have a happy New year.

[Rose54 in reply to vulcantanker]

Hi

The Council should give you a disabled access grant even if you own your own home .

Only stipulation they make is if you sale your home within a certain time grant will need to be repaid .

Look into your nearest disability shop they may be able to put you in touch with Stair lift maintenance and repair companies

Happy New Year

[vulcantanker in reply to Rose54]

Thank you rose but our council had said no to any grant. We will find a way some how because we need it.

Happy New year.

[Rose54 in reply to vulcantanker]

Hi

Have done a search on google their are some that do it for £90 a year don't say what that involves you would need to phone for further info.

Google stair lift repairs and maintenance

Good Luck

[stone-e in reply to vulcantanker]

You can have a disabled facilities grant for these things when you own your own home, I had one for my wet room and stairlift. Councils are desperately trying to save money and will unfortunately lie to people about what there is available in order to do so.

If you can afford to pay for the wet room, honestly do. I have no end of trouble with mine as the council do not give one and employ cowboys who do substandard work.

You do not need to go to a mobility firm and get ripped off. You can also hire a stairlift which might work out better for you as they have to offer a better service when it comes to problems with the lift not working; i.e. they tend to look after you better.

[Mary-intussuception]

My late Mum had very bad service / experience.

My late friend (more recent) was ripped off. Biggest con ever - so no improvement there. I told her to get a Stannah Lift as they are guaranteed for life - excellent call out service. She said too expensive. Bought one from the very company I warned her off. Had to buy another, in 2 minutes then they wanted more money. Ripped off and paid more in long run and never got money back.

When she could no longer go upstairs they offered to buy it back at 2nd hand rate but wanted to charge her to dismantle and remove - seveal hundred pounds. She 'd only just given thousands for it as bought another new one on their advice as "too costly to repair . . You might as well . . etc" Wouldn't take me advice - lost out all round.

All the best with that

- please write to Trading Standards and Watchdog.

[vulcantanker]

Thank you Mary-intussuception for your reply.

It is a

Stannah . Two year guarantee now and it is them that want the large yearly fee. Service up to now has been fine but the new maintenance contract is very expensive for what it covers. I don't know what we would do,if it breaks down in out of hours. That is on top.

I read all the available paper work prior to contract. Nothing about future costs.

[vulcantanker]

Thank you Ajay 575

I will look again when everyone is back at work. We have had two OT reports for stairlifts and wet room but no financial help to us homeowners.

Happy New year.

[deejames]

Was the issue of servicing brought to your attention when you bought the lift initially ?

Servicing is probably essential for a mechanical device like this for reasons of safety. Does that price include any repairs that need doing or will yoi have to pay extra if it breaks down ?

Best to get out your contract and look at the terms and conditions.

Dee

[vulcantanker]

DEEJAMES

Thank you for your reply. There is nothing in the contract about further servicing or repairs once the two year guarantee is finished. We went to the head office and the factory where they are made. We paid more for a well known firm knowing this item is so essential to both my husband and myself. The contract arrived Christmas eve so I will take some time to re-read it.

I am concerned about having some else do the service / repairs due to them not having access to parts quickly.

We will think it over in the next week and deceide the best plan.

Happy New Year.

[Bemoresquirrel]

Hi Vulcantanker (great name btw), I have a Handicare stair lift installed by a local mobility shop. Like you, I had a factory visit prior to purchase, to pick one that met my needs.

The mobility company advised against taking out a maintenance contract, as new chairs are very reliable. Instead, I pay £99 per year for an annual service. I was told that the bearings will need replacing from time to time, but touch wood, I’ve not needed a set yet.

Choosing between an annual service and a maintenance contract is a gamble, as the main circuit boards in the chair cost £500 each to replace, should they go wrong.

Assuming your contract includes parts and labour in the event of a breakdown, the peace of mind might be worth it, for just a service it seems a lot of money.

The family run mobility company I use, say they will turn out as soon as possible to deal with deal with a breakdown and will rearrange routine service appointments so they can attend emergencies. You might find a local company who can do the same for you. It would be worth checking the call out times within your contract for breakdowns and whether the service contract gives you priority over non service contract customers.

Wishing you a Happy New Year, Tedsmum

[vulcantanker]

Thank you for your reply. I'll think about what you have said and discuss with my husband. As we both Use the chair perhaps we will get more wear. I was expecting a cost around £100.0 yearly for service and save some money regularly for any new parts. We do this a lot on electrical items as service with parts have become expensive. I know its a bit of a lottery.

Once again thank you for your input.

Happy New Year.

VULCANTANKER

[Mackembabe]

Hi you can rent stair lifts from certain companys not sure which ones but know you can hope this helps. I know because our next door neighbour has done just that.

Love & Hugs Xx

[Hidden]

I have recently had my own stairlift fitted. As with you I qualified for wet room and stairlift due to disability but as I am married our income means we didn’t pass the means test so would have to pay for it ourselves. So I went to albion stairlift who work nationwide he fitted my lift inside a week and told me they service the lifts every 2-3 yrs as there really isn’t a need for more frequent. He told me the battery would need replacing every 3-4 yrs and either one costs less than £100. Give them a ring and see for yourself their number is 08009803699

Good luck