Di and Stuart Barnes have spent nearly thirty years turning their Georgian farmhouse near Sevenoaks, Kent, into the heart of their family life. The couple, now in their mid-to-late eighties, were often told they should consider a "sensible downsize,” but they had no intention of leaving a home they love.

That all changed when Stuart ruptured a tendon in his thigh while on holiday, and the stairs he'd never thought twice about suddenly became a daily challenge.

Finding the right solution

A stairlift felt wrong for their period home, so they turned to Stiltz. A home visit confirmed a corridor at the back of the house was the perfect spot for a Stiltz Duo+ Homelift, and from there, our team took over.

Sales surveyor Adam Bush remembers the visit well:

“Di and Stuart love their house, and one of the most important things for them was making sure the lift wouldn't be visible in the main rooms. We found a hallway leading out to the back garden, and I explained the lift could be parked upstairs during the day, so they wouldn't lose access to the back door. That's what helped them decide Stiltz was the right choice.

“I visited twice before they placed their order. It’s all part of the job to make sure Di and Stuart - or any of our customers, for that matter - are 100% happy with their decision.”

Homelift engineers Duncan and Nathan carried out the installation, and Di and Stuart describe everyone they met as "friendly, excellent, and professional", right down to leaving the house spotless once the work was done.

This is what Stiltz people do best. Behind every lift installation process is a surveyor who finds the right solution, builders and installers who treat people’s homes with consideration and care, and a support team who make the whole journey feel seamless.

Life after installation

Customer Stories offer a rare chance to catch up with the people Stiltz helps and see how life has changed after installation.

While there are the more obvious benefits of moving freely around their home again, a homelift also brings other unexpected perks that make a big impact on daily life.

Routines like having breakfast in bed can continue. For Di and Stuart, there is now the extra peace of mind knowing they can stay in the home they've spent their life building.

"Our Stiltz lift is silent, compact, and beautifully engineered. It keeps the house working for us and keeps us where we belong." – Di Barnes.