Health & Mobility
Compare stairlift prices
A straight stairlift and a curved one are the same idea at completely different prices, because one comes off a shelf and the other is manufactured for your staircase.
Stairlifts are bought under time pressure, usually after a fall or a hospital discharge, and that is exactly the condition in which people accept the first quote. It is worth an extra two days to get three.
One fact explains the whole market: a straight stairlift runs on a standard rail cut to length, so it is a stock product fitted in a couple of hours. A curved stairlift needs a rail bent to the specific geometry of your staircase, which means a survey, a manufacturing run and a longer install. That is why the price multiplies rather than nudges.
What it should cost
| What you are buying | Indicative UK cost |
|---|---|
| Straight stairlift, new, installed | £2,000 – £4,000 |
| Curved stairlift, new, installed | £4,000 – £10,000+ |
| Reconditioned straight | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Straight stairlift rental | £100 – £200 to start, then £30 – £60 a month |
| Outdoor stairlift | £3,000 – £6,000 |
| Annual service contract | £100 – £250 |
| Removal at end of life | £150 – £400, sometimes free |
Stairlifts for a person with a disability or long-term illness are usually zero-rated for VAT. You sign a short eligibility declaration — you do not need to prove anything to HMRC in advance.
What changes the price
- Straight or curvedThe main determinant of price by a wide margin. A staircase with a single half-landing turn is a curved job even if both flights are straight.
- New, reconditioned or rentedReconditioned straight lifts are genuinely good value with a proper warranty. Reconditioned curved lifts are rarer, because the rail was made for someone else's stairs. Rental suits a known short-term need, such as recovery from surgery.
- Seat, controls and featuresPowered swivel seat, powered footrest, and a hinged rail at the bottom to keep a doorway clear. Each is a genuine convenience and each adds cost.
- Weight capacityStandard models handle around 120kg. Heavy-duty models exist and cost more.
- Service and warrantyAsk what year one includes and what year two costs. A cheap lift with an expensive mandatory service contract is not cheap.
How to compare properly
Take these to every supplier. The answers are usually more revealing than the prices.
- Get three quotes and insist each survey happens in person. A phone quote for a curved lift is a guess.
- Ask for the price with VAT removed under the disability relief, and check the declaration has actually been applied.
- Check whether the quote includes removal of any old lift, making good the carpet, and the electrical spur.
- Ask about the Disabled Facilities Grant through your local council, and whether the supplier will work with it. It is means-tested and slow, but it can cover the whole cost.
- Ask about warranty length and what a callout costs outside it.
- Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations you generally have 14 days to cancel an agreement signed in your home, though made-to-measure items can be treated differently. Get the cancellation terms in writing before signing.
Ready to compare stairlifts?
Compare Stairlifts is our dedicated site for this category, with the detail, local coverage and a quote form.
Common questions
Do I need planning permission or landlord consent?
No planning permission for an internal stairlift. If you rent, you need the landlord's written consent, which they cannot unreasonably refuse for a disability adaptation.
Will it damage the staircase?
The rail fixes to the treads, not the wall, so the fixings go into the stairs themselves. Holes remain after removal but are straightforward to make good.
Can I get one free?
Possibly, via a Disabled Facilities Grant from the local council after an occupational therapist assessment. It is means-tested and there is a waiting list, but it is worth starting the application even while you get quotes.
How long does installation take?
A straight lift is often fitted within a week of order, in two to four hours. A curved lift is typically three to six weeks because the rail is manufactured to your staircase.
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