What to Look for When Buying a Stairlift

Buying a stairlift is a decision you live with every day, so it pays to know what matters before a salesperson arrives. This guide covers the lift itself, the price, the paperwork and the questions to ask. It sits alongside our wider stairlift buying guide.

What should a stairlift have to be safe?

A safe stairlift has a seat belt, safety sensors and an emergency stop as a minimum, and it should meet the British standard for stairlifts. Living Made Easy lists the features to look for.

A lap belt as standard, with a diagonal strap or 5-point harness on request.
Safety sensors on the footrest, carriage or rail that stop the lift if it touches an obstruction.
An emergency stop on the chair and on the remote control.
A removable key switch that fully immobilises the lift.
A swivel seat that must be locked before you get on or off.
A manual winding handle in case the motor fails.
Folding seat, arms and footrest, so the stairs stay usable.

The relevant safety standard is BS EN 81-40:2020, which, according to BSI’s listing, covers the construction, installation, maintenance and dismantling of electrically operated stairlifts fixed to a building. Ask the installer to confirm the model meets it.

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What size and type of stairlift do you need?

The right stairlift matches your staircase and the person’s weight and abilities. Start with the stairs: a straight rail suits a single flight, and any bend needs a made-to-measure curved rail. Our guide to whether your stairs will take a lift explains what the surveyor checks.

Weight limits matter. Living Made Easy says the standard heavy-duty limit is generally 25 stone (160 kg), and that capacity is lower on corners. Published limits for straight lifts range from about 127 kg for one manufacturer’s standard model to 200 kg for a specialist model. Check the figure for the exact model.

Most people need a staircase at least about 740 mm wide, and the folded width of the chair varies between models. Also tell the surveyor about the user’s abilities, including wheelchair use or difficulty with controls, as Which? advises.

Which controls and comfort features are worth having?

The best controls are the ones the user can operate easily every time. Living Made Easy lists joysticks, rocker switches and paddle switches set into the armrest, with call and send controls at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Other options include audible arrival signals for people with sight loss, height-adjustable backrests for very tall users and powered rather than manual swivel seats. Which? says that manually adjusted seats and footplates cost less than automatic ones, so decide which you will really use.

Try a showroom model if you can, as Which? suggests. Put specific requirements, such as tailored hand controls, in writing, “preferably in the contract”, says Which?.

How much should a stairlift cost and what should the price include?

A new straight stairlift typically costs £2,000 to £4,000 fitted, and a custom curved one £4,500 to £8,000 or more, according to Which?. These are published estimates, not quotes. In its December 2022 survey, Which? found average prices paid by owners of £3,371 for a straight lift and £4,728 for a curved one.

The headline number is not the whole story. Which? says to “be sure you’re clear about whether it includes VAT”. One manufacturer warns that rivals’ low prices may leave out modifications, options, delivery and fitting. Ask for one written figure covering the lift, fitting, delivery, any modifications and any extra rail. See our full stairlift cost guide for detail.

If you are disabled or have a long-term illness, you may not be charged VAT on a qualifying stairlift, installation and repairs. GOV.UK explains the zero rate. If you are 60 or over but not disabled, GOV.UK says a reduced 5% rate can apply to a stairlift supplied and installed in your home. You will usually sign a declaration, and eligibility is not guaranteed.

What warranty and after-care should you expect?

Most major companies give a one- or two-year warranty on a new stairlift, extendable for a fee, says Living Made Easy. Some give longer, so compare what the warranty covers: parts, labour, call-outs and a first service.

After-care costs can add up. Which? says maintenance contracts, servicing and out-of-warranty call-outs add up over time. In its 2020 survey the average service cost £211 and the average repair visit £224. In its December 2022 survey, 37% of owners had needed a professional repair, paying an average of £257 the last time.

Batteries are a running cost too. Which? says that a replacement pair costs about £85, up to about £300 for lithium, and earlier Which? advice adds that standard batteries last about 3 to 5 years. Ask how soon an engineer can arrive, including evenings and bank holidays, and whether the seller is the manufacturer or an authorised dealer with access to spare parts. Your contract is with the retailer, not the brand.

Servicing is recommended at least every 12 months, according to Age Co. Our pages on servicing costs and common repairs give more on what to expect.

Should you buy new, reconditioned or rent?

New is the simplest, but it is not the only choice. Reconditioned stairlifts have had key parts such as the rail and batteries replaced, often cost less than new and come with a shorter warranty, says Which?. Straight rails can usually be moved, but curved rails generally cannot. Rental suits a short-term need. Read our pages on reconditioned stairlifts and renting a stairlift before deciding.

What are the questions to ask your installer?

Use this checklist at the survey or when comparing quotes. Print it or read it aloud on the phone, and write the answers down.

About the lift

Which model are you proposing and why does it suit these stairs and this user?
What is its maximum weight and what is the folded width?
Does it meet BS EN 81-40:2020?
Which safety features come as standard and which cost extra?
Can I try this model or see one working?
What controls does it have and can they be adapted?
What happens in a power cut, and how many trips will the batteries manage?

About the price

Is the quote one fixed price including fitting, delivery, any extra rail and modifications?
Does it include VAT, and can I claim relief if I am disabled?
How long is the quote valid?
What do you charge if the survey finds something different?

About warranty and after-care

How long is the warranty and what does it cover?
Is a service included and what do later services cost?
How quickly can an engineer come out, including evenings and bank holidays?
Are you the manufacturer or an authorised dealer with access to parts?
What do batteries cost and who replaces them?
Will you buy back or remove the lift if I no longer need it?

About the contract

Is everything we agreed written in the contract?
What is my right to cancel and for how long?
Is any part made to measure and so not cancellable?
Who do I contact if something goes wrong?

On cancellation: Which? explains that the right to cancel starts when you place the order and ends 14 days after the day the goods are delivered, but there is usually no cancellation right for goods made to your specifications, which can include a curved lift. Never sign on the day. Take time, and ask a friend or family member to be there.

Next, read how to pick a company you can trust, or compare prices from a local installer to start a quote. One local installer contacts you, not five. Quotes are free and no obligation. Stay In Your Home is an independent UK guide to stairlifts, home lifts and home adaptations. Prices here are published estimates, not quotes. You can also compare the main stairlift brands.