How To Offer Finance For Stairlift Companies

Customer finance, explained in stairlift terms

Customer finance lets you offer monthly payments at the point of quote, so a stairlift feels like a manageable household expense rather than a single, high upfront outlay. In a sector shaped by an ageing UK population and growing demand for home adaptations, the ability to spread cost is increasingly expected, not exceptional. When done well, finance becomes part of how you present value: clear pricing, clear term lengths, and clear total cost.

Standout principle: if a customer asks, “Can we pay monthly?” you want the answer to be “Yes, here are the options” in the same conversation.

Why stairlift customers choose to pay monthly

Stairlifts are often bought at a moment of urgency: a fall risk, a hospital discharge, or a sudden change in mobility. Even when the need is clear, households may prefer to protect savings, keep money back for care costs, or avoid the stress of a large lump sum. Many UK suppliers now treat 0% APR over 12 months as a standard choice for straightforward installations, while longer terms with a fixed rate can suit higher value curved or bespoke lifts.

Finance also helps families share responsibility. Adult children may contribute, grants may cover part of the cost, and monthly payments can bridge the remaining balance in a way that feels predictable.

How finance lifts conversion, not just affordability

Offering finance can increase sales because it reduces friction at three points: decision, timing, and product choice. First, it reframes affordability from total price to monthly budget, which lowers hesitation and cuts the likelihood of “we will think about it” delays. Second, it shortens the gap between survey and installation by removing the need to save or wait for funds. Third, it protects your average order value: customers are less likely to compromise on safer specifications, upgrades, or a curved solution if the monthly payment remains within reach.

Clear, simple explanations matter. Understanding APR is not just about percentages - it is about knowing what a customer will pay in real terms, over a defined period, with no surprises.

Typical transaction values (UK stairlift orders)

What you can put on a finance plan

1. Straight stairlift supply and installation

2. Curved stairlift supply and installation

3. Bespoke rail design and fitting

4. Reconditioned stairlifts (where suitable)

5. Stairlift removal and disposal

6. Stairlift relocation and refit

7. Annual servicing and preventative maintenance plans

8. Batteries, key replacement parts, and call-out bundles

Regulatory realities (and how to stay on the right side of them)

In the UK, stairlift finance involves credit broking activity, which means Financial Conduct Authority rules and lender processes matter. Customers should see the APR, term length, total amount payable and any deposit clearly before they apply. Most lenders will run a credit check and assess affordability, so your team should set expectations sensitively and avoid promises of guaranteed acceptance. Keep records, use approved wording, and ensure any promotions such as 0% APR are presented fairly, with key conditions easy to understand.

Introducer and broker routes: how the model usually works

Most stairlift companies do not become lenders. Instead, you introduce the customer to a regulated finance provider via an introducer or broker model. In practice, you present finance as a payment method, collect the essentials needed for an application, and the lender makes the decision based on credit and affordability checks.

A specialist point-of-sale finance partner can plug into your quote process so applications are completed quickly, often with a decision in minutes. That speed matters: it keeps the customer engaged while the need is top of mind. Your role is to explain the options clearly, help the customer pick a term that fits their budget, and ensure they understand the total cost and any conditions.

The customer journey, step by step

1. Raise finance early: include a monthly example in your first quote conversation, not as a last resort.

2. Confirm the solution: straight vs curved, any bespoke requirements, and installation timeline.

3. Show clear options: for example, 0% APR over 12 months and a longer fixed-rate alternative for higher values.

4. Explain the numbers: monthly payment, term length, deposit (if any), and total amount payable.

5. Check eligibility expectations: mention credit checks and affordability assessment in plain English.

6. Customer applies: via a secure online form during the visit, over the phone, or from a link.

7. Decision received: approved, referred for more info, or declined.

8. If approved, confirm order: align installation date with finance completion.

9. If declined, offer other routes: discuss savings, family support, rental or signpost grants where relevant.

10. Aftercare: confirm who to contact for servicing and what is included in any maintenance bundle.

Getting set up with Kandoo

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker, so the aim is to help you offer customer finance without building lending infrastructure in-house. The practical starting point is your sales process: decide where finance is introduced, what examples appear in quotes, and how your team explains APR and total cost. From there, you can add a simple application route that fits how you sell, whether that is in-home surveys, telephone sales, or online enquiries.

Next, align finance to product complexity. Many stairlift providers lead with 0% APR over 12 months as a familiar, confidence-building option, then offer longer terms at a fixed rate for higher value curved installations. Finally, build trust by being a funding navigator: where appropriate, signpost public support such as the Disabled Facilities Grant in England and relevant charitable grants, and use finance to cover any remaining balance.

Next steps: review your most common quote values, choose two to three term options, train your team on compliant wording, and add a monthly payment example to every proposal.

FAQs

Q: Is 0% APR finance realistic for stairlifts in the UK?
A: Yes. Many UK stairlift suppliers commonly offer 0% APR over 12 months, particularly for standard installations. For higher value curved lifts, longer terms with a low fixed rate are also widely used.

Q: Will my customers need a credit check?
A: Typically, yes. Lenders usually run a credit check and assess affordability based on income and existing commitments. It is best to set expectations early and keep the conversation practical and respectful.

Q: What if a customer is declined for finance?
A: Have a supportive Plan B. You can discuss alternative term lengths, consider rental or short-term options where available, and signpost grant routes such as local authority support or relevant charities.

Q: Can customers combine grants with finance?
A: Often they can. Some households use grant funding to cover part of the cost, then use finance to spread any remaining balance, keeping payments manageable.

Q: Should finance be presented at the end of the sales process?
A: Usually not. Introducing monthly options early reduces friction and helps the customer make a decision based on budget, specification, and timing rather than a single headline price.

Q: How do I explain APR without confusing customers?
A: Focus on the real-world numbers: monthly payment, term length, and total amount payable. If the offer is 0% APR, explain that the customer repays the cost over time without paying interest, subject to approval and terms.