The Stair Chair

Somebody in your life is having trouble getting up the stairs and they need help. More than likely, they will lose all their ability to independently go up the stairs, leaving them 100 percent reliant on a stair chair. Even though this journey can sometimes be as short as two steps, it is still a safety concern.

For some particular reason, there is a belief in various circles that a stair chair should now be a discount commodity because it is not a heavy-duty enterprise like an elevator or a vertical platform lift (VPL). There are some companies promoting this concept, looking to grow their business by quantity rather than by quality and safety. This is acceptable for computer chips and other commodities, but stair chairs are products that concern assisting the mobility-challenged. We at TL Shield & Associates consider ourselves to be in the quality category of conveyance providers.

A stair chair is a serious piece of equipment. Its casual appearance and low operating speed is misleading. It is a complex machine with a motor and circuit boards that is responsible for safely delivering a human being—perhaps over 200 pounds—from one point to another without interruption. It is supposed to work in the morning, the afternoon, and at night. Can it operate during a power outage? Think about how many times you or your loved ones go up and down the stairs.

Outdoor Electra-Ride Elite™

Companies and individuals are using the Internet is to tempt consumers into purchasing secondhand or discounted “refurbished” units. The seller may send some inexperienced, unlicensed handyman to try and install it for you; or encourage you to do it yourself; or leave you with the responsibility of finding someone. After the perceived cost savings, it shows up on the doorstep unassembled. It’s just a chair and a rail, right?

Installing a stair chair can be a two person job, and at least one of the workers should possess considerable experience, factory training and the proper local regulatory certifications. The motor can weigh over 80 pounds. This has to be properly inserted on the rail and tested. The rail has to be set and bolted down in the proper position. The slightest bend will affect the performance of the chair. Sometimes the rail has to be precisely trimmed to accommodate the space. These and several other small details will impact the function, and perhaps even the warranty of the product.

This is why a stairlift should always be purchased from a properly licensed and experienced dealer. If the motor malfunctions or there’s a dip or crack in the rail, there will be nobody immediately available to come out and to fix it or replace parts. You do not get a warranty with an equipment-only purchase. Even if you do, it would be voided by the manufacturer because of improper installation. Perhaps you will land up spending the $600 you saved initially on the discounted purchase to have a mechanic come out and fix it. Even if they get it operational, there is still no warranty, which means even more money for the next time.

TL Shield & Associates has been installing stairlifts for over 25 years. We understand who will be using the chair and how important the reliability of the unit is to them. Our properly trained, certified technicians are licensed, bonded and insured. Please call us today at 1-800-954-3343 for a free consultation.