Stairlifts are expensive, but necessary if you live in a two-story home and can’t make it up and down the stairs easily. You may be tempted to save money by purchasing one of the reconditioned stair lifts widely available. This may be a great way to save a few Euros on a necessary health item, but before you do so, be sure that you understand the things that you should watch out for when considering a purchase of a reconditioned stairlift.

First of all, be aware that reconditioned stairlifts are often taken out of homes that are being remodelled or which are sold to someone who does not need the stairlift. You may have no way of knowing the history of the lift, whether there have ever been any incidents of the lift not working, or whether it has been repaired. The reconditioning may have consisted of cleaning the stairlift, but it is possible that the lift was not thoroughly examined for defects, wear and other issues that might compromise its working order.

The issues that could arise from such an oversight include the lift failing to work while you are halfway up the stairway or, even more dangerous, a malfunction which causes the rider to fall out of the stairlift. If you are considering the purchase of a refurbished stairlift, be sure to have it inspected carefully by an expert whom you trust.

Many stairlift companies will not install a refurbished stairlift. If you purchase one, make sure that you have a skilled installer available who agrees to install it for you. If you do not, you may need to rely on a handyman who is not well-versed in this particular application. This could put your safety, as well as your investment, at risk.

Be careful not to overspend when considering refurbished stairlifts. Look carefully into the prices of both new and used stairlifts, and consider the cost of the unit itself, the installation and any maintenance fees which might crop up in the near or distant future. A new stairlift may be less likely to need repairs soon, and may also come with a warranty.

Do not buy a refurbished stairlift from the classified ads or from anyone other than a reputable dealer. A reputable dealer will provide you with the paperwork necessary to verify that the lift is in good condition. The dealer will also be happy to install the lift in your home, eliminating the possibility of your needing to rely on an unskilled tradesman’s work.

With due diligence, you can consider refurbished stairlifts as a less expensive option to buying this type of health equipment new. Keep your safety in mind and speak to your distributor about all of your concerns before turning over your hard-earned money.