Choosing a stairlift: Should I rent or buy a stairlift for my home?
When choosing the right stairlift for your home or the home of a loved one, there’s one question that many people ask: should I rent or buy a stairlift? Many great stairlift companies will offer both options but it’s down to you which one you choose. We understand that choosing between renting or purchasing a stairlift can be a difficult decision, which is why we’ve weighed up the benefits and potential drawbacks of each option below.
The benefits of renting a stairlift
For many people, renting a stairlift temporarily is the preferable option. Whether you choose to purchase or rent a stairlift depends on a variety of factors, but there are some situations where renting a stairlift may be more convenient. Below, we discuss some of the benefits of renting a stairlift and the circumstances where this option may suit your needs.
Renting is ideal for temporary residencies
Stairlift hire may be a more convenient option if you’re preparing for an elderly relative or friend with mobility issues to move in temporarily. If they will only be living with you for a year or less, it may be more cost-effective and convenient to rent a stairlift than to buy one.
Renting is convenient if you plan to relocate in the near future
Similarly, if you’re planning to relocate in the near future, you may prefer to rent a stairlift rather than buy one. You may need to remove the stairlift before selling your house, which will be much easier if you only hired the model on a temporary basis.
Renting is ideal if you have upcoming treatment for mobility issues
There may be cases where you only need a stairlift for a couple of months, while you recover from an accident or await surgery. In this case, renting a stairlift temporarily will be more cost-effective than purchasing one.
The benefits of buying a stairlift
As we’ve discussed, renting a stairlift is often the ideal option if you’re looking for a temporary solution. However, if you need a long-term solution, you may want to consider buying. Here, we discuss some of the main benefits of buying a stairlift:
Buying can be more cost-effective
Depending on how long you’ll need the stairlift, buying one may be more cost-effective than renting. If you’re planning to rent a stairlift for a couple of years, it may work out less expensive to buy a stairlift and then sell it on.
Buying makes it easier to meet bespoke requirements
Buying a stairlift gives you more opportunity to find a bespoke solution that suits your needs. When you’re investing in a stairlift, you can make sure it’s designed and built to your exact specifications. This is especially beneficial if you have a particularly narrow staircase or one that curves.
Buying reconditioned stairlifts can help you save money
If you are on a budget, you may consider buying a reconditioned stairlift. Second-hand stairlifts are often much cheaper to buy but will have been reconditioned to ensure they are of the highest quality.
If you would like to discuss the benefits of renting or purchasing a stairlift, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Alfix today. We supply stairlifts to buy or hire and will be happy to discuss both options with you.