Some stair lift units can be self installed. It is a fairly simple task of assembling 3-4 pieces and plugging it in. The units made today attach directly to the stair treads and plug into a standard wall outlet. Some of the fancier models have to be installed by a factory trained service tech.
It is important to know up front that Medicare, Medicare Nor ANY other insurance company recognizes a stair lift as a medical device. There is NO reimbursement of any kind. If you call your insurance company ... they will say "you are pre-approved". That just means you are pre-approved to send in your paperwork. ALL insurance companies use the same HCPCS codes for diagnosis, procedures, pharmaceuticals, and medical product. There is NO HCPCS code for a stair lift.
You need to get a professional installer to come to your house and perform an evaluation. They will measure your stairs to determine the best lift for your home.
Here's a place where you can buy a stair lift: http://www.usmedicalsupplies.com/Stair-Lifts.htm
The weight capacity of a stair lift varies for each stair lift. Average capacity is between 250-300 pounds.
It is better to install a handicapped stair lift.
One will need a pulley to install a stair lift as well as many other tools. A screwdriver, hammer, and perhaps even a stair lift kit would also be helpful in installing a stair lift.
The costs for purchasing a stair lift can vary depending on the brand and make of the stair lift. According to the Silver Cross website the price can range from $2000 to $3800.
No the construction should not matter in most cases. You just need the stairs to be sound if it's a stair lift.
You can get a stair lift installed in your home for around $1400. Of course this price could vary depending on your needs.
If you are looking to purchace a minivator stair lift you should expect to pay anywhere from $700-$3,000. The average price varies on the type of stair lift you select and on the features you desire. Their are websites that sell used or fairly used stair lifts at a lower cost.
There are many websites where one can buy a straight stair lift. Among them are Bruno, US Medical Supply, Active Forever, EZ Able, eBay, Stair Lift Exchange, and US Medical Supplies.
Some popular stair lift manufacturers include SilverCross, Savaria, Bruno, AmeriGlide, and Precision Stair Lifts. Stair lifts can vary in price from $1289.99 to $2299.99. If you're looking to get a comparison on the different brands of stair lifts just google "Silver Cross Stair Lifts"
These websites - www.livingfreehomestairlifts.com/Stair and www.ameriglide.com/Stair-Lifts - offer a range of stair chair lifts at an affordable cost.