How to Prepare Your Home for Stair Lift Installation

Elderly individuals, those with disabilities, and people recovering from illness or injury may have limited mobility. Installing a stair lift in your home can make it easier to get up and down stairs so that you can maintain your freedom and independence. Williams Lift Company has provided stair lift installations in homes across New Jersey for decades. Here, our trusted professionals discuss what a stair lift is and how to prepare your home for your new stair lift.

What Is a Stair Lift?

Stair lifts are specialized equipment installed in homes to assist those with limited mobility in getting up or down stairs. Typically, they feature a comfortable seat for users to sit in and a track or rail mounted to a staircase. Built-in motors allow them to move at safe, slow speeds to help prevent falls and injuries.

These easy-to-use accessibility aids have various comfort and safety features. The most popular include seatbelts, obstruction sensors, padded seats, and footrests. Additionally, most have either a remote control or integrated control buttons.

Getting Your Home Ready for Your Stair Lift Installation

If you decide a stair lift is the right option for your needs, our team members will come to your home for an assessment. During this appointment, we will go over your options, measure your stair width and length, and identify any potential obstacles that could hinder installation. We’ll handle the installation for you, but there are a few steps you can take ahead of time to help speed up the process:

Clear Your Stairway

Your stairway needs to be completely free of any tripping hazards and other items. Not only should you remove any small items off the stairs, but you also need to move loose rugs or carpeting and any furniture around the top or bottom of the stairs. Additionally, remove any other objects near the stairs that could be hazards, and tape down loose wires.

You should remove any fragile items from the walls along the stairs and landings. Taking down pictures, wall art, and shelving helps prevent accidental damage during the installation process. If you notice any wiggly handrails or steps, fix them to reduce the risk of injury.

Check Outlets

Most modern stair lifts use rechargeable batteries, which keep them functioning during power outages. However, they still need to be plugged into an outlet. Make sure there is a clear, functioning outlet near your stairway to provide a reliable charging source. If you don’t have an outlet near your steps, you should hire an electrician to wire one.

Secure Pets

Our team members love dogs and cats as much as you do. But we don’t want to accidentally step on or trip over them while installing your stair lift. While we’re working, please be sure to keep them in their crate or in another room to keep them and our team safe.

Plan for Installation

While we should be able to install your stair lift within a couple of hours, you’ll need to help reduce disruptions to the process. If you have family members living with you or caregivers who stop by, giving them a heads-up can make the installation process smoother for everyone. They are welcome to be present to learn about how to use the stair lift and hear maintenance tips, but they’ll need to stay out of the work area to prevent distractions and accidents.

Additionally, while we’re working, your stairway may be off-limits. If you or others use the staircase regularly, schedule your installation when it’s less disruptive.

Partner With Williams Lift Company for Your Accessibility Needs

At Williams Lift Company, we have over 50 years of combined experience in the accessibility business. We understand how important your home is to you, and we want to help keep you in it as long as possible.

Our stair lifts are designed to help you maintain your independence. When you schedule a consultation with us, one of our experienced team members will come to your home to discuss your options and help you find the perfect stair lift for your home, including:

• Straight stair lifts: The most common type of stair lift, straight stair lifts can be installed on staircases that don’t bend or turn. These suit different weight capacities and have helpful features like swiveling seats, making it easier to get off and on.
• Custom stair lifts: These stair lifts are ideal for non-traditional staircases. Custom stair lifts fit around spirals, curves, landings, and other tight or winding spaces. We can add further personalization, such as an overrun or other add-ons.
• Curved stair lifts: These chair lifts have multiple pieces of track to move safely around twisting turns. Our curved stair lifts are suited for single turns, multiple turns, or U-shaped turns that rotate 180 degrees.
• Used stair lifts: Our gently used stair lifts are acquired through our buyback program and are great for those with financial concerns. We purchase stairlifts from former customers when they no longer need them and inspect them thoroughly to ensure they meet our exacting standards.

No matter which type of stair lift you need, you can trust that it will be quality-made by an industry-leading brand, such as Bruno or Brooks by Acorn. We also offer stair lift rentals for those who need temporary help getting around their home.

Schedule a Stair Lift Installation Consultation in New Jersey Today

If you or a loved one are living with limited mobility, a stair lift can help make your home more accessible. Located in Fanwood, NJ, Williams Lift Company has made homes safer for decades. To learn more about our stair lift installation services or to request an in-home consultation, contact us today.