The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Curved Stairlift in Illinois
If you're researching a curved stairlift for your home, you probably have a lot of questions.
How much does a curved stairlift cost?
How long does it take to get one?
What information does the installer need?
Does the stairlift have to be custom-made?
And what happens after you decide to move forward?
At Central Illinois Stairlift, we sell and install the Ameriglide Infinity Curved Stairlift, a custom-built stairlift designed to follow the unique shape of your staircase.
Unlike a straight stairlift, which travels along one straight rail, a curved stairlift is designed specifically for the individual staircase. That means the buying process involves a little more planning, but it also means the finished stairlift can be built to fit your stairs.
This guide walks you through the entire process, from your first phone call to the day we install your stairlift.
What Is a Curved Stairlift?
A curved stairlift is designed for staircases that have turns, landings, multiple flights, or other features that prevent a standard straight stairlift from working.
A curved stairlift can be designed to follow staircases with features such as:
90-degree turns
180-degree turns
Multiple flights of stairs
Intermediate landings
Changes in direction
Different staircase configurations
Because every curved staircase is different, the rail is custom-designed to fit the individual home.
At Central Illinois Stairlift, we offer the Ameriglide Infinity Curved Stairlift.
Why Are Curved Stairlifts More Expensive Than Straight Stairlifts?
One of the biggest differences between buying a straight and curved stairlift is the rail.
A straight stairlift uses a standard straight rail, while a curved stairlift requires a rail that is specifically designed and manufactured for the staircase.
The more complicated the staircase, the more complicated the rail may be.
That's why there isn't one simple price for every curved stairlift.
Two homes with curved staircases can have very different prices depending on the number of flights, turns, length of the staircase, available space, and options selected.
The good news is that we can usually give you a fairly accurate approximate quote over the phone after asking you some specific questions about your staircase.
Step 1: Call Central Illinois Stairlift
The first step is simply to give us a call.
During the initial conversation, we'll ask you a series of questions about your staircase. These questions help us understand what you're working with and allow us to calculate an approximate price before we come to your home.
Here is what we'll ask.
1. How wide are the stairs?
We'll want to know the approximate width of your staircase.
If you're not sure how to measure it, don't worry. We can help you figure out what measurement we need.
2. How many stairs are in the first flight?
We'll ask how many steps there are in the first section of stairs.
3. Is the turn at the landing 90 degrees or 180 degrees or a different angle?
This helps us understand the shape of the staircase.
4. How many steps are in the second flight?
If your staircase has another flight, we'll ask how many steps are in that section.
5. Does the staircase have another turn or flight?
We'll continue asking about each flight and turn until we reach the top of the staircase.
This is important because a staircase with two flights is very different from one with three or four flights and multiple turns.
6. Is there a wooden doorway at the top of the stairs?
We'll ask about anything near the top of the staircase that could affect where the stairlift ends.
7. Is there a walkway or doorway at the bottom of the stairs?
This is an especially important question.
When the stairlift reaches the bottom of the stairs, the chair sits down near the wall. If a doorway or walkway is very close to the bottom of the staircase, the chair could potentially obstruct that area.
Knowing about this ahead of time allows us to determine whether a different configuration or an overrun would be helpful.
What Is an Overrun?
An overrun allows the stairlift rail to continue beyond the top or bottom of the staircase.
Instead of stopping immediately at the end of the stairs, the chair can travel farther away from the staircase before you get off.
This can be useful when there is a doorway, hallway, or other area immediately adjacent to the stairs.
During our initial conversation, we'll ask whether you may want an overrun at the top, bottom, or both ends of the staircase.
Choosing Your Stairlift Options
Once we understand the staircase itself, we'll also ask about some of the options available for your stairlift.
Seat Color
The standard seat color is beige.
If you'd prefer something different, specialty colors are available, including:
Red
Gray
Blue
Brown
We'll ask about your preference when we're putting together your approximate quote.
Power Swivel
We'll also ask whether you'd like a power swivel.
A swivel seat can make getting on and off the stairlift easier by rotating the seat toward the landing.
Whether you need or want this feature depends on your individual situation, so we'll discuss the option with you before you make a decision.
Step 2: Receive Your Approximate Quote
Once we've gone through all of these questions, we'll be able to provide an approximate price.
We make every effort to make this initial quote as accurate as possible based on the information you're able to give us.
However, the initial quote is an approximation and is subject to change after we take actual measurements of your staircase.
The reason is simple: we can make a very good prediction from your description, but we can't know every detail of the staircase until we see it and measure it ourselves.
If the approximate price is within your budget and you'd like to move forward, we'll schedule an appointment at your home.
Step 3: We Come to Your Home
During the next appointment, we'll take detailed measurements and photographs of your staircase.
This isn't just a quick measurement with a tape measure.
Curved stairlifts require detailed information about the staircase because the manufacturer will use those measurements and photographs to design the custom rail.
We'll carefully document the staircase so the manufacturer has the information needed to create the correct model.
At this appointment, we also collect the $3,000 deposit required to begin the custom stairlift process.
The deposit allows us to begin the detailed measurement, photography, and manufacturing-design process.
Step 4: Your Staircase Is Sent to the Manufacturer
Once we have completed the measurements and photographs, we send the information to our manufacturer.
The manufacturer uses this information to create a model of your staircase and determine the official price of your custom stairlift.
This typically takes approximately 2–3 days.
Once we receive the model and official pricing, we'll contact you.
Step 5: Review Your Custom Stairlift Model
We'll provide you with the official quote and schedule another appointment.
At this appointment, we'll compare the manufacturer's model to your actual staircase.
This is an important quality-control step.
We want to make sure the model accurately represents your stairs and that everything is correct before your stairlift goes into manufacturing.
Once everything has been confirmed, you'll sign off on the model and the remaining balance will be collected.
Step 6: Your Curved Stairlift Goes Into Manufacturing
After you approve the model, your custom stairlift goes into manufacturing.
Because the rail is being made specifically for your staircase, this isn't an item that can simply be pulled off a shelf and shipped the next day.
The typical manufacturing and delivery timeframe is approximately 6–8 weeks.
Once your stairlift arrives at our location, we'll contact you to schedule the installation.
Step 7: Installation Day
Installation of the Ameriglide Infinity Curved Stairlift typically takes approximately 4–6 hours.
Our goal isn't simply to install the equipment and leave.
Once the installation is complete, we'll test the stairlift to make sure everything is functioning properly.
We'll also provide you with a full tutorial on how to operate it.
We'll show you how to:
Safely get on and off the stairlift
Operate the controls
Use the swivel seat
Operate the stairlift safely
Charge the lift
Understand the basic functions of your particular model
Most importantly, we'll make sure you are comfortable using your stairlift before we leave.
How Long Does the Entire Curved Stairlift Process Take?
Because a curved stairlift is custom-made for your staircase, it takes longer than purchasing a standard product.
A typical process looks something like this:
Initial phone consultation → Approximate quote → Home measurement → $3,000 deposit → Manufacturer model → Official quote → Customer approval → Manufacturing → 6–8 week delivery → Installation
The manufacturer generally provides the custom model and official price within 2–3 days after we send the measurements and photographs.
After approval, manufacturing and delivery typically take approximately 6–8 weeks.
Installation itself generally takes 4–6 hours.
What Should I Have Ready Before Calling?
You don't need to be a stairlift expert before calling us.
In fact, that's what we're here for.
It is helpful, however, to know:
Approximately how wide your stairs are
How many steps are in each flight
How many flights of stairs you have
Whether the staircase turns 90 or 180 degrees
Whether there are doors or walkways near the top or bottom
Whether you have a preference for seat color
Whether you're interested in a power swivel
And if you don't know some of these answers, don't worry.
We can walk through the questions with you over the phone.
Why Does a Curved Stairlift Require So Much Information?
The short answer is that every staircase is different.
A curved stairlift isn't simply a chair traveling along a standard straight track. The rail has to follow the specific shape and dimensions of your staircase.
That's why measurements and photographs are such an important part of the process.
The more accurately we can document your staircase, the more accurately the manufacturer can create your custom model.
Is a Curved Stairlift Right for Your Home?
If your staircase has a turn, multiple flights, or a configuration that makes a straight stairlift impossible, a curved stairlift may be the solution you're looking for.
The best way to find out is to discuss your staircase with an experienced stairlift installer.
At Central Illinois Stairlift, we'll ask you the right questions, explain your options, provide an approximate price, and guide you through the process from your first phone call through installation.
Ready to Find Out What a Curved Stairlift Would Cost?
If you're considering a curved stairlift in Central Illinois, give Central Illinois Stairlift a call today.
We'll ask you a few simple questions about your staircase and provide you with an approximate quote based on the information you provide.
If you'd like to move forward, we'll come to your home, take the detailed measurements and photographs needed to create your custom stairlift, and walk you through every step of the process.
You don't have to figure it all out yourself. We're here to help.
309-301-1000
Central Illinois Stairlift
Central Illinois Stairlift provides expert stairlift installation across Central Illinois, offering the trusted Ameriglide Rave 2 straight stairlift for homes throughout the area. Whether you’re in Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Springfield, Champaign, Pekin, LaSalle, Pontiac, Decatur, Rockford, Chicago, Quad Cities or any surrounding Illinois communities, we can help you age in place safely with professional stairlift services. To learn more about installing a stairlift in your Illinois home, call or text 309-301-1000 for an instant quote over the phone.
