How Much Does a Stairlift Cost in the UK?
By the UK Mobility Stairlifts Editorial Team · How we research
Published 14 October 2026 · Updated 16 October 2026 · 13 min read
Short answer
A new straight stairlift typically costs £2,000–£4,000 fitted. A curved stairlift usually starts at around £5,000 and can reach £10,000 or more. Reconditioned stairlifts usually cost less than new. Prices checked 14 October 2026.
Straight (new)
£2,000–£4,000
Prices checked 14 October 2026
Curved (new)
From around £5,000
Prices checked 14 October 2026
Reconditioned
Usually less than new
Prices checked 14 October 2026
Stairlift price calculator
Get a rough fitted-price range in a few seconds. This is an estimate based on typical UK prices, not a quote.
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Stairlift costs by type
Straight
£2,000–£4,000
One rail along a straight flight, the simplest and cheapest type to fit.
Curved
From around £5,000
A rail made to measure that follows bends and landings.
Reconditioned
Usually less than new
A refurbished lift with its own warranty, mostly for straight stairs.
Outdoor
Usually a little more than the indoor equivalent
Weatherproofed for garden and exterior steps.
Narrow stairs
Usually priced like a standard straight lift, a survey confirms fit
Slimline and perch models for tighter staircases.
Heavy-duty
Usually costs more than a standard lift
Higher weight limits and wider seats for heavier users.
Stairlift prices at a glance (2026)
| Type | Typical fitted price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stairlift (new) | £2,000 – £4,000 | A single straight flight with no bends or landings |
| Curved stairlift (new) | From around £5,000 £7,000–£10,000+ with several bends | Stairs with turns, half-landings or winders |
| Reconditioned straight | £800 – £2,500 | Tighter budgets; short-to-medium-term use |
| Reconditioned curved | From around £3,000 – £4,200 | Only possible where an existing rail can be adapted |
| Outdoor stairlift | From around £3,000 (straight) | Garden steps, front steps, split-level access |
| Rental (straight) | £245 – £1,300 upfront + ~£10 – £25/week | Recovery from surgery, end-of-life care, uncertain need |
Published UK stairlift prices we've tracked
To avoid guesswork, we record prices that UK suppliers and consumer organisations publish themselves. Each row shows the source and the date we last checked it.
| Source | What they publish | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Which? | Straight £2,000–£4,000; curved £4,500–£8,000+ | Consumer body |
| Age UK Mobility | Rental upfront from ~£1,300 (straight) / ~£3,000 (curved), covering install + first 6 months | Rental |
| Stannah | Reconditioned from £2,831 incl. installation, 1-year warranty and one service | Manufacturer |
| Checkatrade | Average from ~£1,875; installation labour around £70/hour | Trade directory |
| MyBuilder | Straight £2,000–£4,000 including installation | Trade directory |
| EMS Lifts | Straight from £2,000; curved from £4,500 | Supplier |
| UK Stairlifts (ukstairlifts.com) | Straight from £1,250; curved from £2,950 | Supplier |
| Helping Hand Stairlifts | Reconditioned straight from ~£795; new straight from £1,695 | Supplier |
| Senior Stairlifts | Straight ~£1,900; curved from £3,500 | Supplier |
| Rental Stairlifts | Rental £245 initial payment + £10.38/week (straight) | Rental |
| Easystep Stairlifts | Rental £44/month (straight), no fixed term | Rental |
"From" prices are the lowest advertised and usually assume a short, simple straight staircase. Your fitted price depends on your stairs and is confirmed at a free home survey.
How much does a straight stairlift cost?
A new straight stairlift typically costs £2,000–£4,000 fitted. Straight rails are made in standard lengths and cut to size, so they're the cheapest type and can often be fitted within days. See our straight stairlift guide.
How much does a curved stairlift cost?
A new curved stairlift typically costs from around £5,000 fitted for one bend or half-landing, rising to £7,000–£10,000+ with several bends. Each rail is designed from a survey (often a photographic scan) of your stairs. See our curved stairlift guide.
How much is a reconditioned stairlift?
Reconditioned straight stairlifts start from around £800–£1,500, with most falling between £1,200 and £2,500 fitted. Check that it comes with a warranty of at least 12 months and a recent safety service. Compare new vs reconditioned.
How much does it cost to rent a stairlift?
Renting usually costs an upfront payment plus a weekly or monthly fee. For a straight stairlift, published UK prices range from about £245 upfront plus around £10 a week, up to around £1,300 upfront covering the first six months before monthly payments begin. Curved rentals cost much more upfront because the rail is made to measure.
Rent or buy? If you expect to need the stairlift for more than 2–3 years, buying is usually cheaper overall. Renting makes sense when the need is short-term or uncertain.
How much does stairlift installation cost?
In most cases installation is included in the quoted price. UK suppliers normally quote a single fitted price that covers the survey, rail, chair, fitting, a 1–2 year warranty and often the first service. A straight stairlift usually takes 2–4 hours to fit. A curved one takes most of a day once the rail has been made. Trade directories put stand-alone installation labour at around £70 an hour, but you'll rarely pay this separately.
How much does a Stannah stairlift cost?
Stannah doesn't publish fixed prices for every model, you usually get a quote after a free home survey. Stannah is generally the premium-priced option among the major UK brands, and its new stairlifts come with a two-year warranty. As a guide, most new straight stairlifts cost £2,000–£4,000 and curved stairlifts start at around £5,000, with Stannah typically at the upper end.
| Model | Staircase | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOYA | Straight | Simple, modern straight stairlift | Quote after survey |
| Siena | Straight & curved | Styling choice, heavy-duty option (up to 25 st) | Quote after survey |
| Starla | Curved | Complex curved staircases | Quote after survey |
| Sadler | Straight (perch) | Steep or narrow stairs, users who can't bend their knees | Quote after survey |
| Outdoor | Outdoor steps | Garden and exterior steps | Quote after survey |
What's usually included in a Stannah quote
- Survey
- Supply and fitting
- Two-year warranty on new stairlifts
- Demonstration on handover
Ask whether servicing after year two is included.
Ways to reduce the cost of a Stannah stairlift
- Claim VAT relief if eligible
- Ask about reconditioned Stannah stairlifts
- Get a second quote to compare
- Check funding
How much does an Acorn stairlift cost?
Acorn sells direct and doesn't publish a fixed price for every model, so you get an exact price after a free survey. It is often the lower of the major-brand quotes, and it advertises next-day installation availability on straight stairlifts. Full Acorn price guide →
What does a stairlift cost to run?
After you buy, expect to pay for servicing once the warranty ends, plus occasional repairs and battery replacements; electricity costs very little.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual service | £100–£200 | per year after the warranty ends |
| Repair call-out | £80–£150 | per repair visit without a service plan |
| Replacement batteries | £50–£150 | every 2–3 years |
| Electricity | £10–£30 | per year for typical daily use |
| Removal | Up to £300 | often free when you buy a new lift from the same company |
Hidden costs to ask about
- Powered hinge or folding rail
- Removal of an old lift
- Extended warranty
- Call-outs outside the service plan
- Deposit terms
Stairlift Prices in Your Area
Stairlift prices are broadly similar across the UK, because the major brands price nationally. A new straight stairlift typically costs £2,000–£4,000 fitted wherever you live. Local installers and reconditioned stock can bring the price down, so it's worth getting a quote from a company that covers your area.
London
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
South East
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
East of England
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
South West
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
West Midlands
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
East Midlands
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
North West
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
Yorkshire and the Humber
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
North East
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
Wales
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
Scotland
Typical UK range applies. See local installers and quotes.
Can't see your area? View all areas →
What affects stairlift prices?
- Straight vs curved staircase
- Number of bends
- Rail length
- New vs reconditioned
- Powered hinge
- Outdoor installation
- Seat type
- Heavy-duty model
- Whether installation and servicing are included
Do you pay VAT on a stairlift?
No, if the user has a long-term illness or disability. Stairlifts are zero-rated for VAT when supplied for the personal use of someone who is chronically sick or disabled, which saves 20%. You sign a short eligibility declaration, and the supplier handles the rest. Being elderly on its own doesn't qualify. GOV.UK: VAT relief for disabled people.
Can you get a stairlift for free? Grants and funding
You may be able to get a stairlift fully or partly funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from your local council:
- England: up to £30,000
- Wales: up to £36,000
- Northern Ireland: up to £25,000
- Scotland: no DFG. Ask your council about its Scheme of Assistance.
Grants are means-tested for adults (not for disabled children), and you'll usually need an occupational therapist assessment first. Don't buy a stairlift before the grant is approved, because councils won't normally refund the cost afterwards. Full guide to stairlift grants · GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants.
5 ways to reduce the cost
- Claim VAT relief if you're eligible (saves 20%).
- Apply for a DFG before you buy.
- Get 2–3 quotes from a survey. A good supplier won't pressure you to sign on the day.
- Consider reconditioned for straight stairs.
- Skip extras you don't need. A powered swivel is useful for some people and unnecessary for others.
Stairlift cost FAQs
How much does a stairlift cost in the UK?
Most cost £2,000–£10,000+ fitted: £2,000–£4,000 for new straight models and £5,000–£10,000+ for new curved ones.
What is the cheapest type of stairlift?
A reconditioned straight stairlift, from around £800–£1,500 fitted. Renting has the lowest upfront cost but can cost more over several years.
Does the price include fitting?
Usually yes. Quotes normally include installation, a warranty and often the first service. Confirm this in writing.
Why are curved stairlifts so much more expensive?
The rail is custom-made for your staircase, so it involves bespoke design and manufacturing, and it can't be reused elsewhere.
Do I have to pay VAT on a stairlift?
Not if the user has a long-term illness or disability. It's zero-rated, saving 20%.
Can I get a stairlift for free?
Possibly, through a means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or your council's Scheme of Assistance in Scotland.
How much does it cost to rent a stairlift?
Typically an upfront fee (£245–£1,300 for straight) plus around £10–£25 a week.
How much is a Stannah stairlift?
Stannah doesn't publish fixed prices for every model, you usually get a quote after a free home survey. Stannah is generally the premium-priced option among the major UK brands, and its new stairlifts come with a two-year warranty. As a guide, most new straight stairlifts cost £2,000–£4,000 and curved stairlifts start at around £5,000, with Stannah typically at the upper end.
What is the average cost of a stairlift in the UK?
A new straight stairlift typically costs £2,000–£4,000 fitted. A curved stairlift usually starts at around £5,000 and can reach £10,000 or more. Reconditioned stairlifts usually cost less than new. Prices checked 14 October 2026.
How much does it cost to run a stairlift?
After you buy, expect to pay for servicing once the warranty ends, plus occasional repairs and battery replacements; electricity costs very little.
How much does it cost to remove a stairlift?
Removal is often free if you buy a new stairlift from the same company; otherwise expect up to around £300, ask for it in writing.
Get an Exact Price for Your Stairs
The ranges on this page are a guide; your price depends on your staircase and the model you choose. A free survey gives you a written, fixed price. Comparing two or three quotes is the easiest way to know you're paying a fair price. Tell us about your stairs and we'll show you suitable options in your area. There's no obligation to buy.
Sources
- Which?: Buying and installing a stairlift
- Age UK Mobility: Stairlift costs
- GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants
- GOV.UK Find a Grant: Disabled Facilities Grants (grant limits)
- GOV.UK: VAT relief for disabled people
- Supplier pages listed in the price tracker above
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