Frequently asked questions

How much will it cost?

As much as we’d like to give you an accurate quotation on this site we’re afraid that there isn’t actually a fixed price for stairlifts The price is very much dependant on the type of staircase that you have and which model of chair you decide upon.

In general you will pay less for a straight stairlift as there is more work involved in providing a curved stairlift. The good news is that you are entitled to an assessment of your stairs where you will be given an accurate quotation based on your individual circumstances. This is an entirely free service and you are under no obligation to buy whatsoever.

I’ve had a cheaper quote from someone else.

At Guardian we always aim to provide competitive quotes so when comparing please ensure that you are comparing like-for-like. The cheaper quote may be for a reconditioned stairlift or one that doesn’t include the same comprehensive telephone assistance or extensive engineer support service.

There are other people who need to use the stairs.

Modern stair lifts are designed to be very slim and in general only take up 27.5cms.  British Safety Standards do not allow any stair lift to obstruct a staircase and all of our installations conform to these standards.

There are other people who need to use the stairlift.

Each of the stairlifts arrive complete with remote calling buttons. These can either be in the form of an infra-red remote control or wall-mounted. Should the stairlift be at the wrong end of the stairs when you come to use it, you can simply call the stairlift to you using the remote control.

The stairs are my only exercise.

Guardian Stairlifts would respectfully advise anyone who is having difficulty with walking not to use the stairs for exercising. By using a stairlift you may find you have more energy for much safer activities!

I’m worried about the mess and disruption during installation.

Don’t worry. Once you have placed your order the stairlift can be delivered within the week (curved lifts may take between 4-6weeks). Installation will only take an hour or two and the engineers will clear up after them leaving your home as you would expect to find it.

Are stairlifts difficult to operate?

Not in the least. There are large paddle switches which you gently push in the direction of travel. These modern designs require the minimum of pressure ensuring that the controls are suitable for sufferers of arthritis and the large paddles make them suitable for the visually impaired.

What happens if there’s a power cut?

All of our recommended stairlifts are installed with batteries which are on charge continuously. In the event of a power cut, the batteries will have enough charge for up to 8 trips.

What if it breaks down?

All the stairlifts that we recommend are designed to be extremely reliable. More than 99% of stairlifts have never experienced a breakdown.

However, in the unlikely event that a stairlift does develop a fault then help isn’t far away. You will be given a dedicated telephone number which is manned 24 hours a day. If the problem can’t be solved over the phone then we have a team of engineers based all over the country who will get your lift up and running as swiftly as possible.

What about the damage to my walls?

Stairlifts are attached to the stair treads and not to the wall. If you are considering a new carpet for the stairs then it would be better if the carpet was laid before the arrival of the stairlift.

Will you spend six hours in my house trying to get me to sign?

Absolutely not! Our products speak for themselves and it is our job to ensure you have as much information as possible including an accurate quotation. The surveys are free and with no obligation whatsoever leaving you free to take as much time as you need to make your decision.

I have a door at the bottom / My stairs are an unusual shape etc.

Every stairlift installation is unique but it is unlikely that your stairs will present a scenario that we haven’t already got a solution for. The surveyors are fully trained and will advise you free of charge on the best solution for your stairs.

Is there a weight limit to the chairs?

Most chairs have a limit of between 18 and 21 stone but we can also recommend a chair that will take up to 25 stone (158kg).

What makes you different?

There’s no getting away from it – we’re in the business of selling stairlifts like everybody else. However, we fully recognise that this is also a service industry and our success lies in providing our customers with an individual solution to an individual need. If we believe that it would be impractical for you to have a stairlift installed or that you wouldn’t in fact benefit from a stairlift then we will say so.