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National Seating & Mobility Review
3.9 Overall Rating
Bottom Line
National Seating & Mobility has been delivering mobility equipment and accessibility solutions to people across North America for over 25 years. With its presence across the country, NSM offers customized stair lift solutions, installation services, and equipment service.
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About National Seating & Mobility
National Seating & Mobility (NSM) is a mobility solutions company that provides equipment to improve accessibility and mobility for people with disabilities or mobility challenges. NSM provides a variety of mobility solutions, ranging from equipment for wheelchair users and ramps to home accessibility solutions and stair lifts.
Established in the early 1990s, NSM has grown from a small mobility equipment supplier into a large company providing mobility solutions to clients across the United States and Canada. Currently, NSM operates hundreds of locations and works with clinicians, therapists, and families to provide medical supplies to people with mobility challenges.
For people with mobility challenges who are limited by stairs due to factors such as age, disability, or injury, NSM provides stair lifts with a reliable actuator, allowing them to move up and down stairs easily without making significant alterations to their homes.
Pros
- Large network of locations across the U.S. and Canada
- Offers a wide range of mobility and accessibility equipment beyond stair lifts
- Professional evaluation and installation services are available
- Works with healthcare providers and mobility specialists
- Ongoing maintenance and repair services are available
Cons
- Stair lift pricing typically requires a consultation rather than instant quotes
- Installation timelines may vary depending on local branch availability
National Seating & Mobility Stair Lift Options
NSM offers several solutions designed to fit different staircases and household needs, including joystick-controlled power chairs. These systems are also built to improve accessibility while preserving stair space and minimizing structural changes to the home.
Straight Stair Lifts
Straight stair lifts are intended for staircases without curves. These are usually the most popular and affordable types of stair lifts.
This kind of stair lift has a rail that runs along the stairs, allowing the user to travel between floors comfortably. Most stair lifts have foldable seats, armrests, and footrests to ensure there is free space on the stairs when they are not in use.
Curved Stair Lifts
A curved stair lift is designed for stairs that have a turn, a landing, or a spiral shape. The lift will need a custom-designed rail to fit the stairs’ shape.
Although curved stair lifts are more expensive, they allow homeowners to install a lift regardless of the complexity of the stairs.
Outdoor Stair Lifts
For homes with stairs leading to porches, decks, and entryways, NSM also offers outdoor stair lifts. The outdoor stair lifts are built to withstand rain, snow, and extreme temperatures using weather-resistant materials.
The outdoor stair lifts are normally equipped with covers to enhance their durability in extreme weather.
National Seating & Mobility Pricing
The price of a stair lift from National Seating & Mobility depends on the kind of stairs, stair lift model, and installation requirements. Because stair lifts are customized to the actual measurements of a home’s stairs, it is hard to provide an accurate price without an in-home consultation.
Some factors that can impact the price of installing a stair lift:
- Type of stairs (straight or curved stairs)
- Length of rail
- Location (indoor or outdoor stairs)
- Style and weight capacity of the seat
- Additional safety features
- Complexity of installation
Straight stair lifts are usually priced lower than curved stair lifts because they use a standard rail system. On the other hand, curved stair lifts have customized rails made to fit the shape of the stairs.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Straight Stair Lifts | $3,500+ installed |
| Curved Stair Lifts | $12,000+ installed |
| Outdoor Stair Lifts | $6,300+ installed |
| Vehicle Lifts | $1,850+, depending on style and capacity |
| Power Chairs & Wheelchairs | $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Ramps & Accessibility Products | $1,000–$10,000+ |
| Home Accessibility Lifts & Patient Lifts | $2,000–$6,000+ |
Payment options
NSM can provide financing options through third-party partners, allowing customers to spread the cost of equipment and installation. In some instances, individuals can benefit from Medicaid waivers, veterans’ benefits, and state accessibility programs to help offset the cost of mobility equipment.
As every staircase and accessibility need is unique, it’s recommended to schedule a consultation with NSM to receive an accurate quote based on your home’s layout and mobility requirements.
Installation and Evaluation Process
NSM’s stair lift process is initiated by an in-home visit, a virtual evaluation, or a phone call. During this evaluation, a mobility specialist consults with customers, assesses their accessibility needs, and recommends lifts that meet those needs.
The steps involved in NSM’s stair lift process:
- Initial Consultation: The customer is consulted by a technician.
- Measurement and Design: The staircase is measured to determine the placement of rails and lifts.
- Product Selection: Customers select between straight, curved, and outdoor lifts depending on the type of staircase.
- Professional Installation: Trained professionals install the lift and new chair, then test it for proper functioning.
- Training and Support: Customers are given guidelines for proper use and maintenance of the lift.
The company focuses on employing professionals for installing lifts and avoids subcontracting.
Warranty and Service
Stair lifts installed through NSM usually come with a warranty covering various parts of the equipment, such as the motor and drivetrain. In addition, some stair lifts come with lifetime warranty coverage for certain mechanical parts and limited warranties for labor and replacement parts.
Besides installing stair lifts for clients, NSM offers:
- Maintenance and repairs of equipment
- Replacement parts for equipment
- Upgrades of equipment
- Preventive maintenance of equipment
Stair lift equipment support is another service offered by NSM. This may come in handy if any adjustments or repairs are required for the equipment after installation.
NSM provides loaner mobility equipment so customers can stay mobile while their stair lift or other accessibility device is being repaired or serviced.
Availability and Service Areas
National Seating & Mobility has customers across the United States and Canada, serving them through its many branches and mobility specialists. The company can help individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare organizations, and rehabilitation specialists install accessible equipment.
Stair lifts are available through National Seating & Mobility, which has many branches across the United States and Canada.
National Seating & Mobility Complaints
Customers’ experiences with the NSM vary depending on the product and the branch providing the service. The reviews are mostly positive, praising the technicians’ expertise, the professionalism of the installation teams, and the accessibility solutions.
However, some customers report facing long wait times for consultations, repairs, or product delivery, especially for more complex products, which is related to product accessibility.
National Seating & Mobility FAQs
National Seating & Mobility (NSM) is a mobility and accessibility equipment provider that helps people with disabilities or limited mobility live independently. It offers mobility and accessibility solutions, such as stair lifts, power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, ramps, and more, along with equipment support and installation services across various locations in the United States and Canada.
Yes, National Seating & Mobility (NSM) is a legit mobility equipment company with operations across the U.S. and Canada. It is a healthcare organization specializing in accessibility equipment, such as wheelchairs and stair lifts. It has been accredited by The Joint Commission, a healthcare accreditation organization that recognizes organizations that meet specific quality and safety standards.
National Seating & Mobility is enrolled in Medicare and can work with Medicare for certain covered products, such as new wheelchairs and other mobility aids. However, Medicare does not cover stair lifts because they are considered home modifications and not durable medical equipment (DME). This means Medicare will not pay for stair lifts, though NSM is a participating supplier.
Medicare Advantage sometimes covers stair lifts, but this depends on your plan; check with both your insurance company or provider and the local branch of National Seating & Mobility.
Feedback from customers of National Seating & Mobility (NSM) is mixed and varies by branch and personal experience. For example, some have complained about long wait times for equipment orders, difficulty reaching a customer service representative, and poor communication about follow-up.
On another note, some customers have praised the knowledgeable, caring, and professional staff of NSM for providing timely, efficient service and equipment that has improved their lives.
Conclusion
National Seating & Mobility has been providing mobility solutions for many years, including stair lifts and other accessibility products for those who need assistance moving up and down stairs.
For homeowners who need stair lifts and other accessibility products, such as ramps and mobility solutions, National Seating & Mobility could be a practical option, given its wide range of products and availability.