Unicorn Stairlifts FAQs

How much does a Stairlift Cost?

The cost of a stairlift all depends on the shape of your staircase and preference as to having a new or reconditioned stairlift installed.

Straight staircase

Fully reconditioned straight stairlifts start from £895.00, Stannah Stairlift.
Brand new straight stairlifts start from £1,295.00, Brooks Stairlift.

Curved Staircase

Fully reconditioned curved stairlifts start from £2,600.00, Bison Curved Stairlift.
Brand new curved stairlifts start from £3,995.00, Platinum Curve Stairlift.

How do I know which type of Stairlift I require?

Have a good look at your staircase, is it straight or does it curve around a bend to reach the landing? If there are no bends then you require a straight stairlift. If the staircase does feature a bend then you will require a curved stairlift.

Also look for any obstacles like doorways near the bottom of the staircase. You may require a hinge track system if a doorway is near by. An example of when a hinge is required, click here: Stairlift Hinge System

What is a Stairlift hinge track system?

Occasionally, the design of hallway and positioning of doors at the bottom of the stairs means that the stairlift track must be placed in front of a door or an awkward bend. This causes an obstruction in your home. At Unicorn, we can overcome this problem by installing a hinge track, which can be either powered or manual. The park position will then be re-located higher up the track.

A hinge track will enable the stairlift to travel up and down the track as normal. When not in use, the track is conveniently folded upwards to free the obstruction.

The powered hinge track is especially useful for those experiencing bending difficulties as the hinge is lowered and raised using a remote control.

What is the difference between a Curved Stairlift and a Straight Stairlift?

A curved stairlift is for staircases that have a turn, bend or corner to reach the top of the Stairs / landing.

A straight stairlift is for a standard staircase which has no turns, bends or corners and is of straight configuration. These are the most common types of staircases in most UK homes.

Why are Curved Stairlifts more expensive than Straight Stairlifts?

A curved stairlift is a completely different machine from a straight stairlift. The Curved stairlift mechanical components are more technical due to the machine having to adjust it’s position when travelling along the staircase track. The main cost however is the custom built track which is built specifically to your staircase shape and design.

Should I buy a New or Reconditioned Stairlift?

This all depends on the customer’s preference and budget. There are huge savings buying reconditioned especially when buying curved stairlifts.

Will a Reconditioned Stairlift be inferior quality to a Brand New Stairlift?

No. All our reconditioned stairlifts are fully reconditioned to the highest and latest of British safety standards. Because our reconditioned stairlifts are maintained and checked to such a high standards you’ll find it hard to notice any difference compared to a new model.

Are Reconditioned Stairlifts reliable?

Yes. They are just as reliable if not more reliable than new stairlifts. This is due to our high standard when the machines are reconditioned in our workshop and the stairlift models we reconditioned. We only reconditioned the best stairlift models.

What warranty do you offer on your Stairlifts?

Weather you buy a new or reconditioned stairlift from Unicorn Stairlifts, we offer a fully comprehensive 12 months warranty as standard. Our warranty covers all break downs, parts and labour costs.

How long will it take from placing an order to having the Stairlift fitted?

Once we’ve received your order we can usually have a straight stairlift fully installed and fitted within 3-4 working days. Curved Stairlifts can take 7-10 working days due to the stairlift track which is manufactured.

How long do you take to install the Stairlift?

Installing a stairlift usually takes 2-3 hours depending on which type of stairlift your having installed. Our engineers are very polite, respectful and experienced. They even vacuum the stairs after installation making sure everything looks and works perfect.

Can other people still use the stairs once the Stairlift is fitted?

Most modern stairlifts are designed to be compact in design. All the stairlifts we install feature folding seats, arms and foot rests that can be folded up when not in use. This enables plenty of space and does not obstruct the staircase.

How is a Stairlift operated?

Stairlifts are operated by simple up and down controls located on the stairlift arm. They are designed to work with minimal effort. You gently press in the direction of travel to start the stairlift.

Can the Stairlift also be moved by remote control?

Yes, all current models that we supply come with 2 x remote controls as standard. These come in handy if 2 people are using the stairlift.

What happens if I'm on the Stairlift and there’s a power cut?

Stair lifts run on DC power with battery backup, which automatically charges up when not is use. If there’s a power cut your stairlift will still carry on working.

Are there any weight restrictions when using the Stairlift?

This depends on the model, but most stair lifts have a weight limit of 18-21 stones.

Will the Stairlift be noisy?

Modern stairlifts are DC powered and run on a low voltage, so they are very quiet.

What happens if something gets in the way of the Stairlift?

Stair lifts have built-in safety sensors that will detect any obstructions on the stairs. The sensors will respond by automatically stopping the stair lift so that the obstruction can be safely removed.

How easy is it to get on and off the Stairlift?

All our stairlifts have manual swivel seats fitted as standard making alighting easier. The chair can be rotated once at the top of the stair to turn and face the landing. The chair then locks in place to enable the user to get off safely. It can be kept in that position for later use, or can be folded against the wall to create space.

Bison 80 Curved Stairlift - to take a look at this stairlift, click here.

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Straight Stairlifts

Curved Stairlifts