What should I check before buying a stairlift and home lift dealer?

A stairlift and home lift dealer looks simple from the street: a showroom or a van, a few installers, a supplier. Underneath, the business rests on a handful of relationships and promises made to people in their own homes. Your checks should find out which of those would still be there after the sale, and which are tied to the person selling.

The manufacturer relationship

Ask for the dealer agreement and read it with your lawyer. Does it allow transfer to a buyer, and does the manufacturer have to consent? What territory does it give the dealer, and can it be changed? Ask whether the dealer buys outright or holds stock on other terms. If the brand is most of what the business sells, treat the manufacturer’s view of you as part of the deal.

The installed base and what it earns

Ask for a list of installed lifts with install dates, models and any service plan attached. Ask what the list needs to show before you rely on any recurring revenue. Ask how plans are renewed, how callbacks are handled, and what past installs still carry in warranty. Your accountant can help you separate service income from one-off installations, and check refurbished, rental and buy-back stock.

People and referrals

Installers and service technicians are hard to replace, so ask who they are, how long they have stayed and whether they would stay for a new owner. Ask where enquiries come from. Therapists, home care providers, contractors and word of mouth all matter, and some of those relationships belong to the owner personally. Ask what the seller will do to introduce you.

Rules on licensing and inspection of lifts are a legal question that varies by place, so ask your lawyer which apply to you.