Stair lifts are a great investment. They are made of high-quality materials, are elaborately designed and often adapted to individual needs. This results in a price level that starts at around 3,000 € and can easily rise to over 10,000 €. An alternative to the expensive purchase is leasing. The stairlift is rented for a certain period of time. This can save a lot of money. But not in all cases the leasing of a stairlift is possible or reasonable.
The acquisition costs when buying a stairlift are not to be underestimated. Even simple stairlifts for straight and short stairs there are only from around 3,000 €. Prices over 10,000 €, however, are also not uncommon. Subsidies and promotions exist admittedly from different cost units and organizations. A financing, which covers the acquisition costs to 100 percent, is so however usually not possible. A favorable alternative is leasing a stairlift.
Do you always have to pay for stairlifts yourself?
Statutory health insurance companies do not pay for stairlifts in Germany. The care insurance grants a subsidy amounting to a maximum of just over 4,000 €. The remaining costs are, in addition to a personal contribution, to be borne by the patient. But there are other cost units and scenarios where you do not always have to pay for the stairlift yourself. Thus, the costs for the installation of a stairlift can be covered under certain circumstances by the employers’ liability insurance association, if there was an accident at work.
PhotosSource: © ThyssenKrupp AGIn other accidents, the opposing party’s liability insurance may cover costs. Other possible payers are the state welfare association, the main welfare office, the statutory pension insurance, the accident insurance and the Federal Labor Office. During a consultation, it should first be checked whether the costs for the stair lift can be covered. If this is not the case, leasing is a favorable alternative.
What does it cost to buy stairlifts?
A simple seat lift for a straight and short staircase costs from about 3,000 €. Depending on the length, load capacity and equipment, the price can rise to 8,000 € or more. Seat lifts that are used outdoors usually cost about an additional 1,000 €. Seat lifts on curved stairs cost significantly more because individual adjustments to the rail are necessary. Prices then start at around 9,000 € and can rise to 15,000 € or more.
Platform lifts and lifting platforms, which are primarily intended for wheelchair users, cost more than seat lifts. Prices here start at about 8,000 €. The individual price depends on the particular installation situation, equipment requirements and the height to be overcome. Stairlifts, no matter what type, are therefore always a large investment. Stairlift leasing is therefore a favorable alternative to purchase.
What does stairlift leasing cost?
Leasing stairlifts is particularly suitable when stairlifts are only needed for a limited period of time. The price of the leasing installments depends on the term of the lease and, of course, the stairlift required. Simple stairlifts for straight and short stairs are available for rent from about 50 € per month. However, depending on the equipment, quality and installation situation, the monthly leasing rates of the stairlift can also rise to 150 € or more.
As a rule, service and maintenance work are already included in the monthly fees. When comparing different providers, this should be taken into account. This also applies to the costs incurred during assembly and disassembly at the end of the rental period. With some providers, these costs are spread over the monthly rentals, with other providers they are charged separately.
Are leasing offers suitable for all staircases?
Leasing is not always possible or practical. Curved staircases usually always require custom rail adjustments. These adjustments are very expensive. Not only do they make the purchase price of a stairlift increase significantly, they also usually make renting a stairlift unprofitable. When leasing, therefore, stairlifts for straight stairs are usually offered. These are usually easier to install and can be used later without individual adjustments.
PhotosSource: © ThyssenKrupp AGOf course, the costs associated with leasing depend not only on the staircase and on the particular installation situation. The wishes and requirements of the user also have an influence on the price level of the stairlift. Not all wishes or requirements can be taken into account when leasing.
What about long terms?
Leasing stairlifts is usually only advisable if it is foreseeable that the useful life of a stairlift is limited. So, if the stairlift is only needed for a certain period of time (for example, during the recovery phase after an accident), renting is a favorable alternative to buying. However, renting or leasing is not a permanent solution. For terms of several years, there are usually more favorable alternatives to leasing.
In such a case, for example, the purchase of a used stairlift should be considered. Compared with the new prices can be saved in such a way up to 50 per cent of the resulting costs. One should not forget in addition promotion possibilities and subsidies, for example from the care insurance. The care insurance, for example, contributes up to 2,500 € to the purchase of a stair lift. The remaining costs can be financed at low interest rates, for example through the KfW.
I am interested in an outdoor lift. Straight staircase, estimate 5 m long. New or used, borrowed or bought, depending on the possibilities.