As of 2026, the cost of a straight stairlift starts from around £1,975, while curved stairlifts can range up to £5,500, depending on the layout of the staircase and the features required.
Buying a new stairlift can be a liberating investment, restoring safety and freedom to people with mobility problems. It's also a lot cheaper to continue living comfortably in your own home than find alternative accomodation. However, a key question will always be "How much will installing a stair lift cost?"
To estimate a stairlift price realistically, several factors need to be taken into account. These include:
For these reasons it’s clear to see why there’s really no easy way to determine an “average stair lift price”, but since this article aims to answer exactly that, we’ll try to provide some typical costs.
Check out our stairlift comparison table to compare features and prices for all home chairlifts.
These stairlift prices do not necessarily include the additional costs (mentioned above). A home survey is nearly always required to give consumers a true picture of the total price. For example, we always advise that an engineer should call at least once a year to make safety checks and carry out routine maintenance tasks, so a maintenance contract is always advisable.
It's important to note that, in most cases, the cost of a stairlift is the same whether it’s fitted on the left or right side of your staircase. However, one side is often more suitable than the other based on specific factors, which will be identified and explained during your home survey.
Even if a reconditioned stair lift has been purchased, reputable suppliers will still include a warranty for the first year of use. This will cover the cost of any replacement parts should the stair lift breakdown, providing vital reassurance for anyone considering a reconditioned model.
Consumers should also remember the size and shape of their staircase. If the staircase is curved, the resale price may be negligible, as it can rarely be installed successfully into a different property without significant modification.
In the UK, the leading manufacturers of stairlifts are Acorn, Companion and Stannah. All produce excellent, high-quality stairlifts that are safe and reliable.
Before making a decision, the prospective purchaser should shop around and ask lots of questions about the true cost of the stairlift being considered. It is essential not to confuse low price with value for money. A reconditioned stairlift costing £1500, which requires a button to be pressed, may offer limited practical value for an elderly person with arthritis—compared to a new stairlift at £2,250 that features a joystick or attendant control, making it far easier to use.
The quality of the maintenance contracts and warranties offered by different suppliers also need to be carefully considered.
Moving home in the UK comes with a long list of costs—and even more hassle.
On the buying side, there’s Stamp Duty Land Tax to consider, along with conveyancing fees, survey and valuation reports, mortgage arrangement costs, admin fees, and of course, removals.
Selling your home isn’t any easier—estate agent commissions, seller’s conveyancing, Energy Performance Certificates, and potential clearance fees all add up quickly. And that’s before factoring in the stress of packing, coordinating moving dates, and settling into an unfamiliar space.
It’s no surprise many people decide to avoid the upheaval altogether by adapting the home they already love. Staying put can be not only more affordable but also far less disruptive—especially if thoughtful solutions, like stairlifts or home adaptations, can make your current space work better for you long-term.
As a comparison, the average cost of buying and selling a new home in 2026 is between £14,000 - £20,000 depending on the size of the property and its location.
If you didn't already know, here comes some good news...
VAT is usually not applicable on Stairlifts.
You should never be charged VAT on a stairlift, if you're chronically sick or disabled, as legislated in Notice 701/7 VAT Reliefs for disabled people (August 2002).
Chronically sick is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out everyday activities, and/or a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes.
More details can be found here on the UK Government website.
All the major UK stairlift companies offer two broad models of stair lift, those designed for straight stair cases and those designed for curved. The latter are always more expensive, because they take longer to manufacture and install. Since there's a considerable difference in price, we wrote a dedicated article on the average price of curved stairlifts, which will perhaps be more useful if you have a curved stair case.
However, regardless of stair case design all models vary in price depending on which features are included. Some models may be cheaper, but may not suit your home or the needs of your family – for example, added extras such as remote calling controls positioned at the top and bottom of the staircase may be essential if there's more than one stairlift user within the home, while a harness seat-belt can provide an added level of reassurance for anyone who suffers from vertigo.
All good stairlifts now include an automatic safety cut out function, as well as a swivel seat for ease of access and a virtually silent DC power supply.
The Acorn 130 and Companion's 1000 and 1100 "Straight" models can be fitted with a specially designed perch seat or standing platform for people who have difficulty in bending their knees in order to sit down. Stannah entered the market more recently with a totally new concept to perched seats based on a saddle design. Like other perched seats, The Sadler minimises weight on the users legs whilst maintaining a more upright position, often ideal for an elderly person or overweight.
Whatever features you choose, it is essential to get a free home assessment to find out exactly much your stairlift will cost.
Having produced stairlifts since the early nineties, Yorkshire-based Acorn has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers in the industry, supplying various different stairlifts to the people of Britain and across the world. Like all stairlift manufacturers, the cost of Acorn stairlifts will depend upon a number of factors.
Very occasionally you come across a company which exemplifies what true professionalism and commitment to customer service is all about. In my experience, Stairlift Experts is a prime example.
I needed to get a stair lift for my lovely Mum as she was having difficulty climbing all the stairs in her house. I hadn't a clue what to buy or where to buy it from until I found the Stair Lift Expert website
To estimate a stairlift price realistically, several factors need to be taken into account. Discover the true cost of a stairlift
See all the key information side-by-side in our stairlift comparison table
Do you prefer the idea of a standing stairlift? Perhaps you find sitting, or getting up and down from a sitting position uncomfortable. Read our guide to Standing Stairlifts
Those with narrow staircases who are worried about whether there will be enough space available for a stair lift need not worry. Read our Narrow Stairlifts guide
Help is available from your local council in the form of the Disabled Facilities Grant or DFG. Read our guide to Stairlift Grants
Looking for the most cost effective way to have a stairlift removed? Used Stairlift Removals
Need a stairlift over 25 stone? Read about our heavy duty stairlifts.
As Stairlift Experts, our mission is to provide accurate and helpful information to make the process of buying a new, used or reconditioned stairlift as painless as possible.
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