Stairlift Purchase and Installation…read more
My inlaws needed a stairlift installed to be able to access their basement, he has neuropathy and has to use a walker, so stairs are impossible, and she is none to steady on her feet. I had done some internet shopping on straight lifts and had contacted a couple of other mobility suppliers in the area, and Mobility Connections prices were easily competitive with either other installed options and with self install internet options. While I am mechanically and electrically competent, I had never installed a stairlift before and tolerances at the bottom of the stairs were a concern, so professional installation was the best option.
I called Mobility Connection for an estimate, and my call was answered by Chuck, the co-owner. We discussed what needed to be done and the price and he was apologetic that he could not come that afternoon (!), but would the next afternoon be OK? Yes! We didn't expect to get anyone out that quickly in the first place.
Chuck showed up at the inlaw's home the next afternoon and measured what would be needed. We discussed options and the clearance issue at the bottom of the stairs (a door), and he allowed that that would not be a problem. I had mentioned a couple of options for the lift (power seat swivel and power lowering of the footrest), and he explained that those usually were not necessary. His solution was to have the inlaws use the lift for a while, and if the additions proved to be needed, they could always be installed later. He also explained that they offered a buyback program if, at some point in the future, the lift was no longer needed. My inlaws were OK with the price and the way everything would operate, and we agreed to have the lift installed.
We had Chuck survey the installation on a Thursday, and the install was scheduled for Monday. My wife had joked with him about doing it on Friday, and he replied that if we felt that was needed, he could accommodate that! We told him no, that Monday would be fine.
His installer showed up early Monday afternoon, ready to go. Installation was straightforward and quick, and in about two and a half hours, he was showing my inlaws how it operated and had them both riding up and down the stairs. There was one minor problem; during set up at the shop, the paddle switch that operates the lift had been inadvertently left off. He apologized for the omission and said that he would be back the next day to add the switch. In the meantime, they could use the lift with one of the two remotes supplied with it. He was back promptly the next morning with the switch and was done in about five minutes.
Having the stairlift installed was especially gratifying to my father in law, who had not had access to the family room in the basement for five years, ever since his neuropathy had set in. He now also had a "storm shelter" so to speak, as their home has an outside wall to every room and no secure place to shelter from bad weather other than the basement.
We couldn't be happier with Chuck and Mobility Connection. Their prices on this job were good, and they were professional in every way, even beyond the sale. Thanks, folks!
