Stairlifts have become vital tools to help people maintain their independence in their own home while they get into their older years, but it’s only natural to wonder about what stairlifts cost. Most stairlift manufacturers include the price of installation into the overall cost of the stairlift, but ongoing maintenance is not included in the initial cost. Stairlifts are often somewhat customized, and those customizations factor into the overall cost as well.
Standard Stairlift Cost:
The base price of a stairlift is influenced by whether you need a straight stairlift or a curved stairlift. Straight stairlifts come standard, so there is less need for customization. This dramatically decreases the price, and most straight stairlifts will cost between $2,000 and $5,000. Curved stairlifts by nature need to be custom made to fit the curved stairwell it will fit in, so the base price for a curved stairlift will be more expensive, running anywhere between $9,000-$15,000. Buying a used stairlift can decrease the initial price, but this option is only available for straight stairlifts.
All the Bells and Whistles
If you decide that you want to customize your stairlift, or need to make some modifications to suit your lifestyle better, that will also influence the price of the stairlift. The majority of stairlifts come standard with traveling around 14 feet, but if you need to add some extra length, you should plan to pay about $50-$75 per extra foot. In a similar manner, most stairlifts have a maximum load of 300 lbs, but if you need a higher carrying capacity you may need to buy a special model.
Outside of things that may be necessary for making a stairlift fit in your home, you can also customize your stairlift with all sorts of features! Some common features people tend to add onto their stairlift include lift up arm and footrests, speed control, and rails that will fold up when the stairlift isn’t in use.
Ongoing Stairlift Cost
Just like all other major appliances, stairlifts need some regular maintenance to ensure that they are in their best working conditions. Regular maintenance for a stairlift is around $200 for a single check in, but that’s around once a year if there are no other issues. Another, minor, ongoing cost for stairlifts is replacing the backup battery if the initial one no longer works. A new back up battery costs between $15-$25.
Is it worth it?
Stairlifts are an investment into your or your loved one’s autonomy and quality of life. According to Genworth’s Cost of Care survey, a month’s stay in a private nursing home costs over $8,000 a month! Even the annual cost for a semi private room is over $90,000 a year. Comparatively, even the highest priced stairlift is a fraction of the cost of a nursing home care facility, and you get to spend those years in your own home, surrounded by loved ones.
HomeLift also offers financing options for those who need it, and you can learn more about it here. If you’re interested in having a stairlift installed in your home, contact HomeLift today!