Stairlifts: Your Guide to Safer, More Independent Living
Everything to Know Before You Choose a Stair Lift
A plain-language guide from the Connecticut team that's been helping families stay home safely for 95 years. Read at your own pace — and when you're ready, just call.
A Guide, Not a Sales Pitch
If you're reading this, somebody you love is rethinking the stairs — or you are. That's a real moment, and it deserves a real answer. We put together this guide so you can take your time, see what's actually out there, and call us when you're ready (not before).
Inside you'll find the four lifts we install most often in Connecticut homes, honest pricing ranges, how installation and insurance actually work, and a short list of questions to ask any provider — including us.
What a Stair Lift Actually Is
A stair lift is a motorized chair that rides a rail attached to your staircase — not your wall. You sit, buckle the seat belt, press a paddle, and ride up or down at a steady, gentle speed. When you're not using it, the seat and footrest fold up out of the way so the rest of the household can still walk the stairs normally.
Modern lifts are battery-powered (so they keep working in a power outage), quiet, and built with multiple safety sensors that stop the carriage if anything is in the way. Most lifts also include a swivel seat at the top landing, so you can step on and off facing away from the stairs.
Straight, Curved, or Portable
Straight stair lifts are by far the most common. If your staircase is a single straight run with no curves, bends, or landings, a straight lift will fit and install quickly — usually in a few hours.
Curved stair lifts are custom-engineered for staircases that turn, branch onto landings, or wrap around. The rail is measured and manufactured specifically for your home, which makes them more expensive and longer to install — but they handle stairs that no off-the-shelf product can.
Portable / mobile stair lifts are operator-assisted devices that don't attach to your stairs at all. They're rented for short-term needs — post-surgery recovery, a visiting family member, a temporary mobility change — and packed away when they're no longer needed.
The Four Lifts We Install Most
These are the four products we keep stocked and supported in Connecticut. They cover the full range of staircase shapes and weight needs we see in practice.
Harmar Pinnacle SL300
Our flagship straight stair lift. Compact, quiet, and reliable — installed in just a few hours.
- ✓300 lb weight capacity
- ✓Straight staircases
- ✓Folding rail option available
- ✓Rental and purchase options
Harmar Pinnacle SL600 / SL600HD
Higher weight capacity with the same smooth, quiet ride. Ideal for taller users or heavier loads.
- ✓Up to 600 lb capacity (HD)
- ✓Straight staircases
- ✓Wider seat & extra support
- ✓Same-week availability
Access BDD Custom Lifts
Custom-engineered rails for curved and multi-landing staircases. Each system measured to your home.
- ✓Curved or angled staircases
- ✓Narrow stairwells
- ✓Custom-fit rail system
- ✓European design
Mobile Stair Lift Rental
For temporary recovery, post-surgery, or short-term needs. No installation required.
- ✓Battery-powered, portable
- ✓Operator-assisted
- ✓Flexible rental terms
- ✓Same-week availability
Understanding Your Stair Lift Cost
Stair lift prices vary based on your specific home and mobility needs. Because no two staircases are exactly alike, we provide custom, down-to-the-penny quotes rather than one-size-fits-all estimates. Your exact cost will depend on staircase type, weight capacity, electrical access, and optional safety features.
We can usually give you a general ballpark on a quick 5-minute phone call. Your final, detailed estimate comes after a free in-home evaluation — and our team will personally walk you through any insurance, HUSKY, or CareCredit financing paths that apply to your situation.
From Phone Call to First Ride
The path from your first call to your first ride is shorter than most families expect:
- 1. Quick phone call. A short conversation gives us your staircase basics and a general cost range.
- 2. Free in-home evaluation. Our CAPS-certified specialist measures your stairs, checks electrical, and talks through what fits.
- 3. Detailed estimate. Clear pricing with insurance, Medicaid, and financing options explained.
- 4. Professional install. Most straight lifts go in within a few hours. The rail attaches to the stair treads — not the wall.
- 5. Local service. Free phone diagnosis in year one. Ongoing support from our Bridgeport team.
When the lift eventually comes out (whether next year or a decade from now), a small amount of wood putty is usually all it takes to restore the stairs.
Researching for a Parent or Loved One?
You're not alone in this. Most of our calls come from adult children and spouses, trying to do right by someone they love — and there's no pressure to have all the answers before you reach out. We've walked Connecticut families through this since 1931, and we'll meet you wherever you are in the conversation.
Just Call Collins · (203) 576-8642Insurance, HUSKY, and Financing
Most private insurance plans and traditional Medicare do not cover stair lifts. That's the honest reality — and the reason we walk every family through the real paths that do exist:
- Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY) may cover a stair lift with proper documentation. We help with the paperwork, Letter of Medical Necessity, and prior authorization.
- Care Credit financing spreads the cost over time with healthcare financing designed for assistive equipment. You can apply during your evaluation.
- Rental options let you start without a full purchase. A portion of the rental fees is credited toward the purchase price if you decide to convert later.
- Veterans may have benefits through the VA Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) grant — we'll help you check eligibility.
We don't promise approvals we can't deliver. What we promise is that you'll know every option that applies to you before you decide anything.
Want to Talk It Through With a Real Person?
Most stair lift questions are answered in a single phone call. No pressure, no obligation — just clear guidance from your CT neighbors.
A Few Honest Considerations
A stair lift is right for many homes — and it isn't right for every situation. A few things we'd want you to think about:
- How long do you plan to stay in this home? If you're moving inside the year, a rental may make more sense than a purchase.
- Is the staircase very short? Sometimes a sturdy handrail upgrade or a small landing change is the better answer.
- Is anyone else in the household using the stairs daily? Folding seats and footrests are designed for shared households — but it's worth thinking through together.
- Is the user comfortable transferring in and out of a seated lift? If not, a different solution (a residential elevator, a ramp, or relocating to a one-floor layout) may fit better.
If a stair lift isn't the right call, we'll tell you so. We'd rather earn your trust than your sale.
Questions to Ask Any Provider (Including Us)
Whoever you talk to — Collins or otherwise — these are fair questions to ask:
- Are you certified by the manufacturer to install and service this lift?
- Who handles repairs after installation, and how quickly do they respond?
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
- Can I rent before I commit to buying?
- If my needs change, can the lift be removed cleanly?
- Will you walk me through every insurance and financing option I might qualify for?
For the record: Collins technicians are certified on every lift we install, our service team is based out of our Bridgeport showroom, year-one phone diagnosis is free, and removal/restoration is available whenever the time comes.
When a Stair Lift Isn't the Answer
Sometimes a stair lift isn't the right call — and we'll tell you so. If your stairs are very short, you're planning a move soon, or another solution fits your home better, we'll point you there. We'd rather earn your trust than your sale.
One Step in Staying Home Safely
A stair lift is often one piece of a bigger picture. We're also your CT neighbors for lift chairs, grab bars, walk-in showers, ramps, and more — whatever helps you stay in the home you love.
Ready When You Are
You don't need to have all the answers before you call. Most stair lift questions are answered in a single conversation — and we're happy to be that first call.
(203) 576-8642 Just Call Collins