The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Straight Stairlift in Illinois
If you or a loved one is having trouble safely getting up and down the stairs, you may have started looking into stairlifts. And if you've never purchased one before, you probably have a lot of questions.
How much does a stairlift cost? Will it fit my stairs? How wide do my stairs need to be? How long does installation take? What happens if the power goes out? Do I need a custom stairlift?
The good news is that buying a straight stairlift is usually much simpler than people expect.
At Central Illinois Stairlift, we make the process as straightforward as possible. In many cases, we can ask you a few questions about your staircase, give you a quote right over the phone, and schedule your installation without requiring a complicated sales appointment.
So let's walk through everything you need to know about buying a straight stairlift—from the lift itself to the installation process.
First: What Is a Straight Stairlift?
A straight stairlift is designed for a staircase that travels in one straight line without a landing, curve, or change in direction.
Our most popular straight stairlift is the Ameriglide Rave 2.
The Rave 2 is designed to provide a safe and comfortable way to travel between floors without having to climb the stairs.
It can be installed on many different types of straight staircases, including stairs going:
Upstairs to a second floor
Downstairs to a basement
From one level of the home to another
Outside to a porch or deck
Down exterior stairs
The Rave 2 has a 350-pound weight capacity and operates on a rechargeable battery system. The lift is plugged into a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet, and the batteries charge while the lift is parked and plugged in.
The track is installed directly along your staircase. The track itself is not custom-manufactured for your particular home. Instead, the track is cut on site to the appropriate length to fit your staircase.
That means you don't have to wait weeks for a completely custom straight stairlift to be manufactured.
What About a Staircase With a Landing?
This is an important distinction.
A straight stairlift is designed for a staircase that is straight from top to bottom. If your staircase has a landing where it changes direction, you would generally need a curved stairlift.
However, there is another option in some homes: two straight stairlifts.
If your stairs have a landing in the middle, it may be possible to install one straight stairlift on the first section of stairs and another straight stairlift on the second section.
This can sometimes be significantly less expensive than purchasing a curved stairlift.
Whether two straight stairlifts will work depends on the layout of your staircase and the space available around the landing. That's something we can discuss when you call.
Rave 2 Stairlift Safety Features
Safety is obviously one of the biggest concerns when you're considering a stairlift.
The Rave 2 is designed with safety features that help make traveling up and down the stairs easier and more secure.
The lift includes features such as:
A safety belt
Safety sensors that stop the lift if an obstruction is detected
A swivel seat to make getting on and off easier
Folding arms, seat and footrest to help keep the staircase accessible when the lift isn't being used
Battery backup for operation during a power outage
A 350-pound weight capacity
During installation, we'll also walk you through how everything works. You won't be left standing at the bottom of the stairs trying to figure out how to operate your new stairlift!
What Happens to a Stairlift When the Power Goes Out?
This is one of the most common questions we get.
The Rave 2 operates using rechargeable batteries, so you can continue using the lift if the electricity goes out.
The batteries can provide up to approximately 60 trips up or down the stairs during a power outage, depending on the circumstances and usage.
But there's an important thing you should know about those batteries:
Once the batteries are completely drained, they need to be replaced. They will not recharge after being fully depleted.
That's why it's important to pay attention when you're operating the lift during a power outage.
The Rave 2 will beep periodically to remind you that the lift is running on battery power. It is basically saying, "Hey! The electricity is still off over here!"
And while that reminder is useful, we understand that hearing a beep every few minutes during a long power outage can get annoying very quickly.
Fortunately, there is an on/off switch.
If you don't need to use the lift for a while, you can turn it off. Then simply turn it back on when you need to use it.
This allows you to conserve the battery during a prolonged power outage, and gives you a little peace and quiet.
Keep Your Stairlift Plugged In
Under normal circumstances, your stairlift should remain plugged in so the batteries can stay charged.
The Rave 2 plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet, so you don't need a special electrical connection.
And this is important: we do not recommend using an extension cord for your stairlift.
In fact, we recently had a customer call because their stairlift wasn't working.
We discovered that the lift had been plugged into an extension cord that ran around a wall and underneath a table. The original outlet had stopped working, so instead of having the outlet repaired, an extension cord had been used.
The lift eventually became unplugged, and the customer didn't realize it because the warning beeps had been ignored. The batteries were completely drained and had to be replaced.
The lesson?
Keep your stairlift plugged directly into a working household outlet whenever possible, and don't ignore those beeps!
If the outlet you're using stops working, have the electrical issue repaired rather than relying on an extension cord.
How Wide Do My Stairs Need to Be?
Before we can install a straight stairlift, there needs to be enough room for both the stairlift and the person using it.
For the Rave 2, your staircase needs to be at least 30 inches wide for installation.
This isn't simply an arbitrary measurement. There needs to be enough space to safely operate the lift and allow the user to ride comfortably.
If you're not sure how wide your stairs are, don't worry. We can talk through your staircase over the phone and determine whether it sounds like a good candidate for a straight stairlift.
Okay, So You Want a Stairlift. What's Next?
This is the part that surprises a lot of people.
You don't necessarily need to schedule a salesperson to come to your house just to find out whether you can get a stairlift.
Start by calling Central Illinois Stairlift at 309-301-1000.
You'll talk to me, and I'll ask you a few questions about your staircase.
Here's what I'll want to know.
1. Where Are the Stairs?
Are they:
Going upstairs to a second floor?
Going down into a basement?
Outside going down from a porch or deck?
Somewhere else in your home?
This helps us determine what type of stairlift you'll need and whether the Rave 2 is appropriate for your situation.
2. Is There a Landing in the Middle?
This is one of the most important questions.
If your stairs are completely straight, a straight stairlift is usually what you're looking for.
If there is a landing where the stairs change direction, we'll need to look at the layout more carefully.
Sometimes a curved stairlift is the right solution.
Other times, two straight stairlifts - one on each section of stairs - may be a more affordable option.
3. About How Wide Are the Stairs?
Remember, we need approximately 30 inches of stair width to safely install the lift.
If you're unsure of the measurement, just give us your best estimate. We can determine whether we need to take a closer look.
4. How Many Steps Are There?
Our base pricing includes up to 15 feet of track, which is approximately 14 steps.
Need more than 15 feet?
That's okay. We can make the track longer, but there will be an additional charge for the extra track.
Most residential staircases we've encountered are less than 15 feet, but we'll need to know roughly how long yours is so we can give you an accurate price.
And remember, the track is cut on site to fit your staircase.
5. Is There a Wooden Doorframe at the Top of the Stairs?
A doorframe at the top of your stairs isn't necessarily a problem.
In some installations, we simply need to use tall brackets to properly position the stairlift.
This is why we ask about the doorframe ahead of time. W want to make sure we bring the appropriate brackets with us when we come to install your lift.
6. Is There a Doorway or Walkway at the Bottom of the Stairs?
This is another important one.
Sometimes there is a doorway or walking path directly at the bottom of the staircase. If the stairlift sits at the bottom of the stairs, it could potentially block that doorway or interfere with people walking through the area.
That's where a hinged rail can be useful.
What Is a Hinged Rail?
A hinged rail allows the lower portion of the stairlift rail to fold upward when the lift isn't being used.
Instead of the rail extending into a doorway or walkway, it can be folded out of the way.
Check out this video of a Rave 2 with hinged rail:
https://youtu.be/5o08eg4VAoU?si=YATGxsz6xD_eKMZj
A hinged rail is an additional-cost item and is a custom-order component, so we'll need to determine whether one is necessary before installation.
7. Is There a Working Outlet Within About 6 Feet of the Top or Bottom of the Stairs?
The Rave 2 needs to be plugged into a standard 120-volt household outlet.
Fortunately, we have some flexibility about where the charger is installed. Depending on your staircase, we can generally install the charger at either the top or bottom of the stairs.
So you don't necessarily need an outlet at a specific end.
However, we do not recommend using an extension cord.
If there isn't a working outlet within the appropriate area, we can talk about your options before installation.
After We Ask These Questions, We Can Give You a Quote
Once I have the answers to those questions, I can generally give you a straight stairlift quote over the phone.
No pressure. No complicated process.
If the price works for you and you don't need a hinged rail, we'll schedule an installation appointment.
And that's it!
What Happens During Stairlift Installation?
Our standard Rave 2 installation typically takes about 1–2 hours.
When we arrive, we'll install the track, mount the lift and make sure everything is operating properly.
But we don't just install it and leave.
Before we go, we'll give you a complete tutorial on how to use your stairlift.
We'll show you how the controls work, how to safely get on and off, and what to do in different situations.
We'll also have you ride the lift up and down the stairs several times yourself.
Why?
Because reading instructions is one thing. Actually sitting in the chair and riding it is another.
We want you to feel comfortable using your new stairlift before we walk out the door.
We'll answer your questions, make sure you're comfortable with the operation and make sure you know what to expect.
Your Rave 2 also comes with a full two-year warranty covering parts and labor, with the exception of the batteries.
Your warranty paperwork is included inside the owner's manual, and we'll make sure you have that information before we leave.
What If I Need a Hinged Rail?
If your staircase requires a hinged rail, the process is a little different because the hinged rail is a custom-order item.
In that situation, we generally have two appointments.
Appointment #1: Measurements and Planning
First, we'll come out to your home to:
Measure the staircase
Look at the doorway or walkway
Verify that a hinged rail is actually necessary
Make sure a hinged rail will work with your particular layout
Take the required measurements
Collect a prepayment for the custom-order component
We don't want to order a custom part until we've verified that it's the right solution for your home.
Appointment #2: Installation
The hinged rail typically takes about 1–2 weeks to arrive.
Once it comes in, we'll contact you to schedule the installation, generally within 24–48 hours, or whenever is most convenient for you.
Then we install the stairlift just like we would with a standard Rave 2 installation.
The installation itself still typically takes 1–2 hours, and we'll provide the same full tutorial before we leave.
So, How Difficult Is It to Buy a Straight Stairlift?
Honestly?
It doesn't have to be difficult at all.
If you've been putting off calling because you assume you'll have to go through a long, complicated sales process, that's not how we do things.
We'll simply talk about your stairs.
I'll ask you about the location, whether there is a landing, the width and approximate length of the staircase, the doorframes and walkways, and the location of your electrical outlet.
From there, we'll determine whether a straight stairlift is a good option and give you a quote.
If you decide you'd like to move forward, we'll schedule the installation.
Then we'll come to your home, install the lift, show you exactly how to use it, have you practice riding it, answer your questions and make sure you're comfortable before we leave.
That's the whole process.
Ready to Find Out If a Straight Stairlift Will Work on Your Stairs?
If you're considering a stairlift for yourself, a parent, a spouse or another family member, we're happy to answer your questions.
You don't need to know exactly what kind of stairlift you need before you call.
That's our job.
Give Central Illinois Stairlift a call at 309-301-1000 and we'll ask you a few simple questions about your staircase.
We'll help you determine whether a straight stairlift is a good fit for your home and, in many cases, give you a quote right over the phone.
And if a straight stairlift isn't the right solution, we'll tell you that too.
Our goal isn't to sell you the most complicated stairlift possible.
It's to find the simplest, safest and most practical solution for your staircase.
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, 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.
