How to Prepare for a Stairlift Installation

There are many benefits to having a stairlift installed, but before you can take advantage of it, it’s important to prepare your property in advance. Just a few simple steps could make it easier for your stairlift installation company to get to work straight away to install your new lift.

You should have had an initial consultation already, but if you haven’t, make sure you find a company that offers one. It’s vitally important that your lift installers know the exact measurements of your staircase and have taken the time to discuss your requirements before making any decisions. It’s not a good sign if a stairlift company doesn’t offer initial consultations, so make sure you always choose trusted contractors before work begins in your home.

During the initial consultation, your stairlift installers will likely have run through the process and how long the installation will take. This will give you an indication of what you need to prepare. As a general rule, however, you’ll need to consider the following steps:

Ask a neighbour if you can use their bathroom

If you don’t have a downstairs bathroom, it may benefit you to ask a neighbour if you can pay their home a visit if you need to. It could take a whole morning or afternoon to fit your stairlift and during this time you won’t be able to access the stairs easily. Make sure this doesn’t cause an issue by making arrangements with a neighbour or friend who lives nearby.

Form a pathway for your contractors

Your stairlift installers will need to walk from their vehicle to your staircase easily throughout the day, so make sure there’s a clear pathway through your home. They will also need to bring lift parts and tools through the house so try to clear as many obstructions out of the way as you can. During the initial consultation, your lift installers will also figure out the safest and easiest access route so this is something you can discuss with them.

If you have a driveway, keep this clear too. This will make it easier for your lift installers to move the tools and equipment they need in and out of your house.

Clear the stairs and surrounding areas

Save time by making sure your stairs and the surrounding areas are clutter-free and tidy before the contractors arrive. This way, they’ll be able to get to work without delay! It also reduces the risk of anything getting damaged or broken during the installation process, which is something else you want to avoid. With this in mind, make sure you remove anything on your staircase and hallways so they are neat and tidy.

If you have artwork or picture frames mounted to the wall above your stairs, you may need to move these temporarily, too. This is something you can ask your stairlift company during the initial consultation.

Keep pets and young children out of the way

Prevent accidents and injuries by keeping pets and young children out of the way during the stairlift installation. They could distract the contractors while they’re lifting heavy parts or may even hurt themselves by touching tools and machinery. Your installers will need to pay close attention to the job at hand so it’s always best to keep pets and young children out of the way.

These are just some of the key factors to consider when you’re preparing your home for a stairlift installation. However, if you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Alfix Stairlifts today. We look forward to installing the right stairlift for you.