Buying and installing a stairlift

If you've been struggling with going up and down the stairs in your home, you may have thought about getting a stairlift, but choosing the right one is not always straightforward. 

We can help you pick the right type, understand what you'll be paying and explain how you might get a free stairlift.

We also run through stairlift rentals for those of you who only need one for a short period of time, and second-hand stairlifts if you want to save money. 

If you already know what you're looking for, head straight to our best and worst stairlift brands to see which company you should buy from

Should you get a stairlift? 

Many people who invest in a stairlift regret not getting one sooner. However, they're not right for every condition or lifestyle and some staircases may not be able to accommodate them.

Before investing, it's a good idea to have an occupational therapy (OT) assessment to make sure the type of stairlift you want will suit you now and in the future. For example, you'll need enough mobility to be able to get on and off the seat yourself, and dexterity to be able to use the controls and the footrest, although there are some workarounds.

You can ask for an OT assessment by contacting your local council social services department or privately via the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

How much does a stairlift cost?

Although stairlifts are expensive, the cost of buying and installing one has remained fairly stable for years.

Our December 2022 survey of stairlift owners revealed that the average price paid for a new stairlift was £3,867. The average price paid for a new straight stairlift was £3,371: this increases to an average £4,728 for a curved stairlift.

As a general rule, every corner in your staircase will double the initial price. If you have a staircase formed of two straight flights of stairs with a landing area in between, it may be cheaper to buy two straight stairlifts instead of a single curved one. But you would need to be mobile enough to move from one lift to the other.

If you're registered disabled or have a chronic health condition, you can claim VAT exemption when buying a stairlift. But make sure you're clear about whether the quote you're getting includes VAT, so you can compare quotes between companies.

For more information, see the HMRC on VAT exemption. 

Stairlifts from the council

It's worth looking into whether you might be eligible for a stairlift provided or funded by the council. You'll need to discuss the arrangements in your local area with your council as they vary, but the brands of stairlift are the same ones you'd buy yourself.  

In some areas, the district council makes arrangements to lease new or reconditioned stairlifts, while some hold their own second-hand stock to give or lease. The council is then responsible for the repairs and maintenance.

Others will ask you to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). They also sometimes offer low-cost loans. However, your income and savings have to be assessed first.

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Getting a stairlift quote

For a stairlift company to be able to give you an accurate quote, a surveyor will usually need to visit your home to carry out a feasibility study. This should be free of charge. 

They will determine, among other things, whether your stairs are wide enough for the stairlift you want and, for seated stairlifts, wide enough to allow room for your knees when seated.

The visit is your chance to find out about the different models of stairlift the company offers. But it's not just about your staircase, the assessor will need to find out about you too.

This will allow them to identify the features that will best suit your individual needs. For example, they should ask questions to understand whether you have the physical and mental ability to use features such as the controls and seatbelt, or if you'll need adaptations.

It's a good idea to get quotes from two or three different companies, including one manufacturer and one supplier, so you can compare prices and make an informed decision. 

Types of stairlift compared

Although there are lots of different types of stairlift available, most fall into two main categories: straight and curved. The latter are the more bespoke, as the stairlift rail has to be made to fit around the shape of your stairs. 

Seated stairlifts for straight staircases 

If you have a straight staircase, it should be fairly easy to install a stairlift that runs along a straight rail. These most commonly have seats (fixed or drop-down) attached.

If the layout of your staircase is straight for the most part, but curves right at the top, you may need to buy a straight stairlift plus a ‘bridging platform’ to enable the lift to reach the landing.  

Pros: Easy to install, the cheapest type of stairlift

Cons: Very narrow staircases may not be able to accommodate one

Seated stairlifts for curved staircases 

If a stairlift goes round a corner, it's classified as curved. Curved stairlifts require bespoke curved rails to fit the exact shape of your staircase.

Pros: Can usually be made for any staircase

Cons: Generally more expensive – as a rough guide, each extra corner doubles the initial price

Standing or perching stairlifts 

These can be used for particularly narrow staircases that don't have room for a seated lift. The headroom of the staircase has to be high enough to fit your whole standing body.

Pros: Good if you have problems bending your knees, some have a small ledge to help you keep your balance

Cons: Most have grab rails attached, but if you sometimes get dizzy spells or don’t have the physical strength to stand for a few minutes, then it could be dangerous to use one

Vertical ‘through-floor’ lifts

These take you from one floor of your house to another via a hole in the ceiling/floor – for instance, moving directly from the living room up to the bedroom above. The track of the stairlift attaches to the wall.

Pros: Can accommodate wheelchair users who are not able to transfer safely to a stairlift seat, a good option if your staircase isn’t suitable for an ordinary stairlift – for instance, if it’s too narrow or if it’s a spiral staircase

Cons: Vertical lifts are the most expensive type to install as they will require considerable building work to create a suitable hole, install the lift and make it good again afterwards

Outdoor stairlifts

These are essentially the same as indoor straight and curved stairlifts, but are made of weather-resistant materials so they can be used outside. 

Pros: Allow access to a property with steps to the front door or outside spaces such as a garden

Cons: An electricity supply is needed and must meet installation safety requirements

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Stairlift installation 

Stairlifts from brands such as Acorn and Stannah can take between one and 14 days to be installed (the longer timeframes are for curved stairlifts).

And, of course, you'll have to factor in any structural work that's required, such as installing an extra power point or carpentry work.

This is likely to be significantly quicker than council or housing association installation, though.

If you're looking to organise the installation yourself, find a local reputable trader through Which? Trusted Traders

Buying a second-hand stairlift

You can save some money by buying a second-hand stairlift. Many manufacturers and suppliers sell reconditioned stairlifts, which can be much cheaper than new ones. 

These are usually straight stairlifts that have been removed from one property and can be fixed to another staircase in a different home. Made-to-measure curved staircases aren't usually available second-hand.

If you're considering a second-hand stairlift ask the same sort of questions as you would for a second-hand car. For example, the stairlift's service history, who has serviced it and the length of any warranty included.

Handicare and Stannah told us that only approved or authorised dealers should be selling reconditioned stairlifts. Do check, as if you buy a reconditioned stairlift elsewhere, it won't come with assurances such as a one-year warranty, guarantee and a full service history.

Stairlift rentals

Hiring a stairlift might be a better option if you know you'll only need it for a set period of time, such as if you're recovering from an accident or operation. Some suppliers have a minimum term for stairlift hire, often around three months.

Installation costs when hiring (which normally also includes removal at the end) range from £350 to more than £1,000, while monthly rental fees range from £10 for a straight stairlift from a local supplier to as much as £150 a month for a complicated curved stairlift from a national manufacturer.

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Your rights when buying a stairlift

Make sure you know your rights when buying or returning a stairlift so you don't end up losing money or being stuck with a stairlift you can't use. 

Can you cancel your stairlift order after signing up?

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations (CCR) you can cancel a 'distance' or 'off-premises' contract, for example where you ordered your stairlift during a sales visit to your home. Your right to cancel an order starts the moment you place it and doesn't end until 14 days have passed from the day after your goods were delivered to you.

However, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 say that where goods are made to the customer's specifications, there won't be a cancellation right under that legislation.

You need to be clear what the company's terms and conditions say about your rights and their products before you sign a contract. 

What if the stairlift isn't what was agreed?

Under the Consumer Rights Act, you have 30 days to send the stairlift item back and get a full refund – or if you prefer, a repair or replacement – if the stairlift is faulty, doesn't match the agreed description or isn't fit for purpose. This applies whether the stairlift is bespoke or not.

After this 30-day period, you're entitled to a repair or replacement. If the repair or replacement is unsuccessful, and you haven't had the stairlift for more than six months, you can then ask for a full refund. If you've owned the stairlift for more than six months, the company can make a deduction for the usage you've had.

If you have specific requirements, such as you need the control to work in a certain way because of hand issues, you need to make them clear and get written confirmation (preferably in the contract) from the company that the product will be fit for your specific needs. This could save a dispute later.

Do you have to pay if the stairlift has to be returned?

Yes, if the stairlift is as described and isn't faulty, you'll need to pay to return it even if you cancel within 14 days (as per the Consumer Contracts Regulations or CCR) unless the company's terms and conditions say that it will collect it. 

The company could make a deduction from your refund for excessive handling and damage caused. The company could also make a deduction for any services it provided during the cancellation period at your request (for example, electrical or other preparatory work). 

However, if the product is faulty or not as described and you're entitled to reject it, then the company has to either collect it or meet your reasonable costs of returning it.

What can you expect from warranties and servicing?

This is very dependent on the company's terms and conditions. Length of warranties vary and servicing or repairs isn't always included so it's worth researching the warranty terms before parting with your money.

Remember that if a warranty has expired, you still have your rights under the Consumer Rights Act, which gives you the legal right to either get a refund for goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described, or get it repaired  - depending on how long you've owned it.

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