Frequently asked questions

I am quite tall and heavy. Can a stairlift safely take my weight?
Seats are adjustable to suit different heights. Straight stairlifts can transport weights of up to 25 stone and curved track stairlifts can transport weights of up to 19 stone.

Will a stairlift cost a lot in electricity?
No, it is estimated that regular use of a stairlift over the period of a month uses about the same amount of electricity as boiling a kettle once.

Are my internal walls strong enough?
Stairlifts are not fixed to walls, they are attached to the treads of your stairs, so there is no need to worry about internal walls. Our vertical lift has free-standing tracks so it does not have to be fixed to a load-bearing wall.

How soon would you attend my lift if it broke down?
We usually try to get to you the same day, and if we can't, within 24 hours. We do first talk over your problem by phone, because there are times when a lift may have been inadvertently switched off.

How long do lifts take to install?
A straightforward stairlift can be installed in half a day. A curved stairlift takes about a day. Vertical lifts (through-floor lifts) take 3-4 working days - you should allow a day for the preparatory building work (including electrician and plumber if necessary) and two days for the installation. We arrange all building work and aim to get our engineers in as soon as possible after the preparatory work has been completed.

How much room will a stairlift take up on my stairs?
Straight stairlifts range from 11"- 13" (28 - 33cm) wide when folded. Curved stairlifts are around 16" (41cm) wide. In most cases we suggest they are kept parked at the bottom of the stairs, where they are easier to get around for other people using the stairs.

What if I need a radiator to be moved? Or there isn't an electric socket close enough?
We will note all these matters during our on-site survey and they will be included in the preparatory work in our quotation.

Can I rent a lift instead of buying one? Or buy one secondhand?
Yes, some lifts can be rented or bought secondhand, or ‘reconditioned' as we call them. These are lifts that have been thoroughly overhauled in our workshop and signed out as fit for re-use. This can be a cheaper option. Please call the office to check availability.

Will there be a lot of mess during and after installation?
Installing a stairlift is not particularly messy, nevertheless all our engineers make a point of clearing up after their work. We clean up but we don't redecorate. That means that if we have to remove a handrail, we will make good the holes in the wall but not paint or wallpaper it over.

Are stairlifts noisy?
No, modern stairlifts are fairly quiet in operation. You can check them out for yourself by visiting our showroom in Horley, Surrey. Please call to arrange an appointment on freephone 0800 54 20 466 or 01293 785185.

I have a doorway at the bottom of my stairs, does this mean I can't have a lift?
No, we can overcome this by using a hinged track. This is usually electric so at the touch of a button a small section of track folds up out of the way of the door - it is very easy to operate and can be fitted to straight or curved tracks.

If I have a power cut, will my stairlift stop working?
No, a stairlift is battery operated and charges up when it is parked (not in use) so if you suffer a power cut it will continue to operate on battery power until mains power is restored. You should be able to use the lift about 10 times without worry.

What about changing batteries - what do I have to do?
Stairlifts have two remote controls, one at the top and one at the bottom, which take ordinary batteries that need changing or recharging (if you use rechargeables) in the same way as your TV remote control. The lift itself contains a more powerful battery that recharges itself from the mains, and continues to power the lift in the event of a mains power failure (see above question). You don't need to touch this battery - it will be checked during routine maintenance.

My lift is covered by a 12-month warranty. What happens when the warranty expires?
All our lifts have a free warranty for the first year. We will write to you before this expires offering our annual maintenance agreement. Our prices are competitive and depend on the type of lift you have.

 

If you have further queries not answered here, you can email us at enq@ascenditlifts.co.uk, or use the form on the contact us page or call the freephone number at the top of this page.

 

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Ascendit Lifts Ltd uses its own trained engineers for lift installations.
Registered sub-contractors are only employed for associated works.
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