Stairlift FAQ
What is a stairlift?
A stairlift is a motorized chair unit that carries a person up and down a stairway. The moving chair travels on a narrow track attached directly to the steps.
How much does a stairlift cost?
All products are tailored to your specific needs and therefore, prices vary. They can change depending on the specific stair dimensions, the chosen stairlift model and any additional extras that you choose. Please book a free, no-obligation assessment with one of our trained sales consultants to obtain a personal written quotation.
Can I rent a stairlift?
Yes. Renting a stairlift is a good way of accommodating different financial circumstances or if you are looking for a short- term solution. We even take care of the servicing and call out costs for the duration of the rental period.
Is the stairlift attached to the wall?
Like all domestic stairlifts, ours are attached to the tread of the stairs and not the wall.
What if I have narrow stairs?
Our stairlifts come with a slim rail and a compact carriage. They all have folding arms, seat and footrest, so they fold away neatly when they are not in use.
Can stairlifts go around bends in the stairs?
Our bespoke curved rails are designed to cope with curved staircases. They allow the stairlift to travel round bends on either side of the staircase and negotiate intermediate landings and corridors with ease. Your rail will be manufactured to fit your staircase perfectly.
How does it take to install a stairlift?
Stairlifts are installed in just a matter of hours and with the minimum of fuss. Our service technicians will make sure your home is left in exactly the same condition as they found it. We do everything we can to ensure that the installation is as quick and convenient as possible.
Do you have a choice of colors?
Yes. Each one of our stairlifts comes with a variety of extra features including upholstery options to allow you to choose a stairlift to suit your home. You can choose between selected ranges (depending on stairlift) or create custom made upholsteries.
Is it easy to operate?
Each stairlift has a range of features and extras to ensure that use is seamlessly and effortless for all users.
Elevator FAQ
What are the cost factors for a residential elevator?
- The cab finishes – cab walls can be made of glass, wood paneling, veneer or melamine. In many cases, builders order cabs with unfinished mdf walls and build finished cab walls themselves. The cost of the various options varies dramatically.
- The drive system – hydraulic drive systems are normally slightly more expensive than in-line drive systems, also called counterweight systems.
- The jobsite location – if your house is in a remote location, you can expect to pay more to cover the cost of travel for the installation crew.
- The number of floors being serviced – elevators installed in residences can go from two stops to six. Each stop requires an interlock attached to the door and adjustments for leveling. The cost for an additional floor is usually $1000 to $1500.
- The length of travel required . Normally, home elevators can travel up to 50 feet. The cost associated with the length of travel is usually about $200 / foot.
- The number of cab entrances – some elevators are configured with entrances on more than one side of the elevator cab. Additional openings will add cost.
- The type of cab entrance – Some residential elevators are available with sliding doors, much like a commercial elevator. This style of elevator entrance adds cost. Sliding doors can be used as car entrances and/or landing doors.
- The level of automation – powered gate operators and power swing door operators are popular options. These will also add expense for each entrance.
- Customization – if your plans include customization of your elevator to match fixture finishes or special sizes, you can expect to pay a small premium. Manufacturers make home elevators to order, so it is not always costly to order custom features.
How much space do I need to install an elevator ?
About a 5’ x 5’ total footprint
Can I get an elevator installed in my existing home?
Yes you can! We are the elevator contractors so we deliver, install, and inspect the elevator itself. To do an elevator retrofit into existing construction requires the teamwork of a general contractor to provide the construction of the hoistway, or the structure our elevator goes inside.
Do I really need to have a phone line in the elevator?
Yes, this is part of the National Elevator Safety code for life safety if you were to get stuck in the elevator you need a way to call out.
What is the smallest and largest elevator that can be installed?
We are limited by the National Elevator code that Residential Elevators cannot exceed 15 sq feet, so a 3’ x 5’ cab.
Can I get an elevator installed in my existing home?
Yes you can! We are the elevator contractors so we deliver, install, and inspect the elevator itself. To do an elevator retrofit into existing construction requires the teamwork of a general contractor to provide the construction of the hoistway, or the structure our elevator goes inside.
What are the safety features?
A home elevator is governed by National Code (ASME Section 17.1) and Able Access Elevator takes great pride in exceeding these national safety standards. Your entire elevator is protected by our holistic safety circuit which prevents elevator use if any one of the safety items are not secure.
These safety features include:
- Backup Battery – In the event of a power loss the elevator will lower to the next closest floor to allow safe exit
- Door Locks – Prevents a door from opening when the elevator is not at the landing
- Gate – safety switch on gate that stops elevator if gate is opened
- Cable Tension Switch – Stops the elevator in the event of a cable tension change
- Bottom and Top limit Switches – Prevents the elevator from moving above or below the top and bottom floor
- Emergency Brake – Engages if the elevator is traveling faster than 40 feet per minute
- Light Curtain – Stops the Elevator when sensor is tripped
- Emergency Light – Provides lighting inside Cab if power is lost
- Alarm Bell – Provides audible alerting if passenger needs assistance
- Phone – Gives passenger ability to make a phone call to receive assistance
Contact Us
Able Access Elevator serves clients in Utah, Idaho and Western Wyoming from our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. We sell and service commercial and residential elevators, dumbwaiters, vertical platform lifts, stairlifts, and car lifts. We offer quality products with professional service including free site surveys of any homes or buildings and complimentary plan reviews. Give us a call today to assist you with your mobility needs.