Taking the mobility aid industry to new heights, domestic lifts are fast becoming the number one solution for those with multiple story properties. Enabling homeowners of all ages to travel to the upper layers of the home in comfort and style, cluttered stairlifts are now a thing of the past. Home lifts offer families unbeatable safety and total peace of mind 24 hours a day 365 days of the year.
Investing in a residential lift is no small decision, and it’s perfectly normal to weigh up the costs and your potential budget to ensure this is the right investment for you. There are several decisions and a variety of factors that you’ll need to take into account which will contribute to the end cost of your domestic lift.
In this blog post, we will be breaking down some of the key financial aspects to consider when purchasing a domestic lift. We also offer some options to look into that might help finance the cost of a new domestic lift. Our goal is to help first-time buyers understand how to budget for their domestic lift, and make this investment an enjoyable and informed experience.
How much will the Domestic Lift cost to buy?
The biggest factor when totting up the costs of a domestic lift, is of course, the lift itself. The cost of the lift is based on many factors such as the make, model and size – ultimately which one you choose is dependent on you or your families individual needs. For instance, the price of a wheelchair lift could be more than a smaller lift for one to two people.
At Multicare we stock Stiltz Homelifts, and we’ve written a blog post with more information on the average cost of a Stiltz Homelift to help give a better idea of the initial investment.
…Plus, the cost of any additional extras
All domestic lifts will come with a standard set of features, but most will also have optional extras and customisations which you may wish to add on. This may include aesthetic choices such as carpet, rail and lift car colours which will help your domestic lift fit in with your home decor. Alternatively there can be a selection of additional safety and performance features such as an in-car rail or seat.
As you can see the endless possibilities help make your domestic lift completely bespoke to you and your requirements, but it is good to factor these extras into your budget.
How much does the Domestic lift cost to Install?
Once you’ve decided on the domestic lift and its optional extras, the next financial aspect to consider is the cost of installing it into your cherished home.
As with all home improvement projects, this will likely vary depending on the company. Choosing the right installer can not only help keep costs to a minimum but it also means the project is completed to the correct specifications and on time. Researching different companies and looking at reviews of their most recent work will help you find the most reliable and trustworthy domestic lift installers.
Receiving quotes from two or three different companies will help you come to an informed decision, as will asking advice from your domestic lift supplier as they may have recommendations or a trusted installer they prefer to work with. Most reputable installers, including us here at Multicare, will give free, no-obligation quotes and will book a time to visit your home for an in-depth assessment of what building work will be required. At this stage, a common query that many customers also enquire about what the process of installing a domestic lift actually involves, to help them understand the costs.
Following a home survey, they should be able to provide you with a final fixed quote that includes both the price of the lift and any installation costs. Don’t be afraid to ask for an itemised quote to make sense of all the possible fees involved.
Please remember that while it is always nice to find a seemingly unbeatable price, if that price comes at the detriment to the competency of the work done, then it could prove to be more costly down the line.
How much will it cost to maintain and run your Domestic Lift?
The typical lifespan of a domestic lift is 15 – 25 years, so it is also important to take into account the ongoing cost of maintaining your lift over this time
A costlier model to purchase upfront now may require less upkeep as it ages, saving you money over time, or alternatively, it may be more economical to choose a cheaper model now, but pay more for its long term maintenance. This is a conversation you can have with your supplier as they will be able to guide you through the individual requirements of their products.
At this point it is also good to ask your supplier for any servicing and maintenance packages which will give you approximate costs, and may help you spread the cost over time.
As energy bills are continuing to rise, it is also wise to look into what the day-to-day costs of running your domestic lift might cost you. Many modern residential lifts are very energy-efficient, using the same energy as a small domestic appliance, but again, it is worth being aware of the potential costs at the consideration phase to avoid any surprises.
Do you need to remove your Stairlift first?
Quite often, many people choose a stairlift as their initial at-home mobility aid, before deciding to upgrade to a domestic lift.
Getting a domestic lift will negate the use of your stairlift, so you may want to have it removed. The good news is that you might have the option to have a company come and remove your stairlift, which they can refurbish and sell on. This means that they will remove your stairlift for free, and you may even get back a chunk of the price you paid for it, ready to put towards your new domestic lift! Please note that the amount you get back will depend on the age and condition of the stairlift as with anything, their value depreciates over time.
Can you get assistance with the cost of a new Domestic Lift?
Whilst the domestic lift solution is not inexpensive, there are some ways to assist with the initial cost of your new domestic lift.
For instance, some companies offer a financing option to spread the cost longer term, making that initial investment a little less daunting.
Also, if you are disabled or have a long term illness, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant from the local council to help cover the costs of adapting your home, as long as the work can be shown to improve your quality of life. The DFG is means-tested but will not affect any benefits you may be receiving.
In addition to this, you may be exempt from paying VAT on products designed or adapted for domestic use if you are disabled or have a long term illness.
Where can you get more information on the costs on a new Domestic Lift?
Here at Multicare, we are with you from start to end – if you have any questions or are looking for further advice, our friendly expert team is here to guide and support you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.