What should you know before buying a stairlift?
- Get a guide price first so you can judge every quote against a fair figure for your staircase.
- Book two or three free home surveys, because every stairlift has to be measured for your stairs.
- Ask for the manufacturer and model: several companies often sell the identical lift.
- Compare the warranty and servicing costs, not only the purchase price.
- Check VAT relief has been applied if the user has a long-term illness or disability.
- Never sign on the day of the survey.
What should you do before a stairlift survey?
A little preparation puts you in control of the survey, instead of the salesperson.
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Know roughly what it should cost
Prices for the same type of lift vary a lot between suppliers, and even more on curved stairs. If you know the likely cost before a surveyor arrives, you can tell straight away whether a quote is fair.
A free guide price takes a couple of minutes and gives you that figure for your own staircase.
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Work out whether your stairs are straight or curved
A straight staircase runs in one line with no turns or landings, and uses a standard rail that can often be fitted within days. Any bend, turn or half landing needs a curved stairlift with a rail made to measure, which takes a few weeks and is the biggest single factor in the price.
See straight vs curved stairlifts if you are not sure.
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Think about who will use it, and how
Note anything that affects the choice of seat and controls: difficulty bending the knees, weak grip, balance problems, or a weight above about 20 stone. A powered swivel seat, a perch seat or a heavy-duty model may be worth asking about.
If you are arranging a stairlift for a parent, make sure they can be at the survey and are part of the decision.
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Decide whether new, reconditioned or rented suits you
A reconditioned straight stairlift costs noticeably less than new and usually comes with a 12-month warranty. Renting suits a short-term need, such as recovery after an operation. For two years or more, buying usually works out cheaper.
See new vs reconditioned stairlifts and renting a stairlift.
What should you ask at a stairlift home survey?
Every stairlift has to be measured for your stairs. Surveys from reputable companies are free and carry no obligation.
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Book more than one survey
Each company needs to survey your staircase to give an accurate price, so two or three surveys are the only way to compare properly. Book them close together so the details are fresh.
See what happens at a stairlift home survey.
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Ask which lift you are actually being quoted
Several companies often sell the identical stairlift, so the business selling it matters as much as the badge on the seat. Ask for the manufacturer and model name, because you cannot compare quotes without it.
Ask: "Who makes this lift, and am I buying from the manufacturer or a dealer?"
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Try the seat and the controls
If you can, sit on a demonstration lift or at least try the controls and swivel. Someone with arthritis or weak grip will find some controls much easier than others, and it is far better to find out before it is fitted.
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Never sign on the day
A reputable company will leave a written quote and give you time to think. A discount that disappears when the surveyor leaves is a sales tactic, and members of the British Healthcare Trades Association have signed a code of practice that prohibits pressure selling.
Know a fair price before the surveyor arrives
Get a free instant guide price for your staircase, then compare prices from vetted UK suppliers covering your area.
Get my free guide price
How do you compare stairlift quotes?
The headline price is only part of what you pay. These are the differences that matter over the life of the lift.
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Check exactly what the warranty covers
A new stairlift should come with at least 12 months' cover for parts, labour and call-outs. Check all three are included, whether batteries are covered, and who honours the warranty if the seller stops trading. Never accept a warranty that expects you to post parts back for repair at your own cost.
Ask: "Does the warranty cover parts, labour and call-outs, and are your engineers your own staff?"
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Find out what servicing costs once the warranty ends
This is the cost buyers most often overlook. Ask each supplier for the price of a one-off annual service and of a service plan with breakdown cover, and get both in writing. A cheaper lift with expensive servicing can cost more over ten years than a dearer one.
See stairlift servicing and maintenance.
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Make sure VAT relief has been applied
Most buyers with a long-term illness or disability can buy a stairlift at 0% VAT, which cuts the price by 20%. You sign a short declaration with the supplier and no doctor's letter is needed. It must be applied when you buy, so check whether each quote includes it before you compare them.
See stairlift VAT exemption.
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Be careful with second-hand lifts sold privately
A lift bought from an online marketplace comes with no warranty, still needs professional fitting, and a curved rail from someone else's house will not fit yours. If budget is the concern, a reconditioned lift from a specialist with a warranty is the safer way to save money.
What affects the price of a stairlift?
Every stairlift is priced for the staircase it is fitted to, which is why a guide price for your own stairs is far more useful than a national average. These are the things that move the figure most:
- Straight or curved. The biggest factor by far, because a curved rail is made to measure.
- The length of the staircase and any landings, since the rail is the most expensive component.
- New, reconditioned or rented. Reconditioned lifts cost less, and rental spreads the cost for short-term need.
- The brand and model, and whether you need a heavy-duty or slimline version.
- Options such as a powered swivel seat, a powered footrest or a hinged rail near a door.
- VAT relief, which takes 20% off for most buyers with a long-term illness or disability.
- The supplier. The same lift can be priced very differently by different companies, which is why comparing matters.
Get a free guide price to see what these add up to for your staircase.
What happens after a stairlift is fitted?
Installation of a straight stairlift usually takes two to four hours. The rail is fixed to the stair treads rather than the wall, so there is no structural work. The engineer should test the lift, show you how to use every control and the swivel seat, and leave you a manual and a number to call.
Keep the rail clean with a dry cloth, never oil or grease it yourself, and book the annual service. A well-maintained stairlift typically lasts 10 to 15 years. See our stairlift installation guide and how to use a stairlift safely.
Stairlift buying checklist
Tick these off as you go, or print the list to keep with your quotes.
Tick the first box now
Answer a few quick questions about your staircase and see your guide price on screen, then compare prices from vetted UK suppliers.
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Stairlift buying questions
How many stairlift quotes should I get?
At least two or three, each after a free home survey and all for the same specification. Several companies often sell the identical lift, so the difference between quotes can be large.
Can I get a stairlift price without a home visit?
You can get a guide price online in a couple of minutes, which tells you what a stairlift is likely to cost for your staircase. A firm quote still needs a free home survey, because the rail has to be measured to your stairs.
What questions should I ask a stairlift company?
Ask who manufactures the lift and which model it is, whether you are buying from the manufacturer or a dealer, what the warranty covers, whether the engineers are the company's own staff, and what an annual service costs once the warranty ends.
Is a reconditioned stairlift worth buying?
For a straight staircase, often yes. A reconditioned lift from a specialist is refurbished, tested and usually comes with a 12-month warranty, and costs noticeably less than new. Avoid private second-hand sales with no warranty.
Do I have to pay VAT on a stairlift?
Not if you have a chronic illness or disability: you can buy at 0% VAT by signing a short declaration with the supplier, with no doctor's letter needed. People aged 60 or over may pay a reduced 5% rate on installation. Relief must be applied at the point of sale.
How long does it take to get a stairlift fitted?
A straight stairlift can often be surveyed and fitted within a few days, and the fitting itself takes two to four hours. A curved stairlift usually takes a few weeks because the rail is made to measure.
Should I sign a stairlift contract on the day of the survey?
No. A reputable company will leave a written quote and give you time to compare. A discount that only lasts until the surveyor leaves is a sales tactic, and BHTA members have signed a code of practice that prohibits pressure selling.
More guides before you buy