How To Install A Chair Lift

Wheelchair lifts help people with mobility issues move up and down stairs and into and out of vehicles. Here are some facts about wheelchair lifts and how to find used ones in your area.

Wheelchair Lifts Are Costly

New wheelchair lifts for homes, stairs, vehicles and porches can range between $1,000 and $15,000 with an additional charge for installation, according to the Paying for Senior Care website. Second-hand wheelchair lifts may cost significantly less than brand new lifts. Before purchasing any used wheelchair lift, compare the price you would pay for the same lift if you bought it at full retail cost. If a wheelchair lift is worn, corroded or otherwise in bad shape, avoid the purchase even if the lift is a good deal.

One of the easiest ways to find wheelchair lifts in your general vicinity is via an internet search. Type in the words, "wheelchair lift" and the name of your town or region. A list of places in your area that sell wheelchair lifts should appear in the search results. If you're looking for a specific model or type of wheelchair lift, include the descriptive words or brand name in the search box. You may have to travel farther to purchase specific types or sizes of wheelchair lifts, but diligent internet searches will turn up the models you seek over time. If you want to browse all available wheelchair lifts online, type in the words, "used wheelchair lifts for sale" and your area, and you'll receive results that show retail and other locations where you can shop for used wheelchair lifts near your home.

Contact Medical Equipment Suppliers and Installers

Medical product businesses, including some pharmacies and medical equipment stores, can often source wheelchair lifts or put you in contact with suppliers of second-hand lifts. Call local companies that rent hospital beds, wheelchairs and other medical supplies to ask if they know where you can source used wheelchair lifts. Another tip to find used wheelchair lifts is to contact construction contractors who specialize in renovating properties to be ADA compliant. Contractors who install wheelchair lifts may know where you can buy used lifts and may even know of used lifts for sale from their own projects. Vehicle body shops that install wheelchair lifts on cars are another source of information about van lifts for wheelchairs. In short, any business that sells, installs, or works with wheelchair lifts on a regular basis should be able to help you contact wheelchair lift suppliers.

Call the Doctor

Physicians and health care workers who treat patients in wheelchairs may have valuable information about accessing used wheelchair lifts. This includes orthopedists, neurologists and other doctors who work with people in wheelchairs. They can help you locate an affordable wheelchair lift.

Check All Sources

Look in medical classified ads both online and in your local paper to find more used wheelchair lifts for sale. Check item listings for estate sales, too, since some estate homes will have wheelchair lifts removed before the homes are placed on the market for sale.