Stairlift - means testing and costs 6 January 2019 at 11:19AM in Disability money matters 11 replies 1.4K views

skayes

HI all,
Sorry if this has been asked a million times, but I'm just wondering about the maximum costs of having a stairlift installed via my local council/social services. I need a stairlift reasonably urgently, and am weighing up the costs as well as the time factor (I hear it can be months before you get a stairlift via social services). I'm pretty sure that at the means-testing stage we'll be told that we have to pay the maximum towards the chair. Does anyone have an idea what that cost would be roughly speaking? If it's too high I'll buy one via a company instead.

Misslayed

It's 10 years since I was in this position, so much will have changed, but I was told it would be a minimum of 13 months before we would even be considered for a stairlift from social services, so I bought one with a very generous contribution from family. The prices quoted varied by nearly £7000! So if you decide to go ahead please get at least three quotes. Mine was complicated because of the turns on the staircase so was bespoke, and cost about £5000. Straight, uncomplicated staircases will be a lot cheaper.
It was money well spent btw as it allowed my husband to conserve his energy for a long time.

skayes

Misslayed, thanks! Wow, 13 months is way too long. Even now I was told it may take 'a while'.

I'll definitely get a few quotes, and will go for a refurb.

I'm still curious about the means-testing though.

Misslayed

Just remembered a young relative bought one really cheaply on eBay for his grandmother and fitted it himself, straight stairs, no bends. Worth a look if you or someone you know is 'handy'

skayes

Thanks very much!

Robin9

When getting quotes seek out local independents - they carry less overheads than the big boys and you may well speak to the person who does the installation.

Look into VAT - should be zero %

skayes

Thanks, Robin!

Rodders53

The 'rules' wrt Grants and eligibility/contributions don't seem to be readily found on the internet... and could well differ slightly from Council to Council. You'd have to ask them?

Are stairs straight or curved? It will make a big difference to the price and the ability to buy second hand and adapt... not all stairs are the same length from floor to floor.

Go for a local company if buying new. Many will also sell the occasional refurb.

We got one fitted when we moved here (Beds) from a local supplier who fits and maintains for the local Councils.

Mojisola

Misslayed wrote: »

Just remembered a young relative bought one really cheaply on eBay for his grandmother and fitted it himself, straight stairs, no bends. Worth a look if you or someone you know is 'handy'

If you do this, make sure the lift was designed to go on the same side of the stairs as you will use it - it can be dangerous otherwise.

kingfisherblue

I don't know where you are, but if you're in the North West, a few of my neighbours have used Liftcare, which is in St. Helens. I think that they buy back if no longer needed too.

skayes

Thanks, everyone, for the great advice, which is very helpful.

I live in the Midlands, but will bear in mind that I'm better off with a local company and also to remember the side of the stairs (left, in my case). I think it'll be best for me to go with a company since the council will take too long - since this morning I've read it has been known to take years if you can't get a council stairlift straight away and are put on a waiting list. If that's true, I'm better off buying my own. Thankfully it's a straight staircase and no obstrutions so it won't cost as much as it would otherwise.

Thanks again