Cost guides › Curved stairlift
United Kingdom
How much does a curved stairlift cost?
A new curved stairlift for one staircase typically costs £6,500 fitted, including 20% VAT, with most quotes between £5,050 and £8,450. The rail is made to measure for your stairs, which is why a curved lift costs far more than a straight one. A simpler single-bend rail with a standard chair is around £5,450; a rail with several bends, a parking curve at the top or bottom and a powered chair is nearer £8,100. Disabled people pay no VAT, which lowers these figures.
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Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £5,500 | £6,550 | £8,150 |
| East | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| East Midlands | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| North East | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| North West | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| Scotland | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| South East | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| South West | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| Wales | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
| West Midlands | £5,450 | £6,500 | £8,100 |
Show all regions
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £5,450 | £6,450 | £8,100 |
What's included
Mid-range
- A detailed survey of the staircase, often by photo or laser measurement, and design of the rail
- Custom-made curved rail for one staircase, fixed to the treads with brackets
- Stairlift chair with swivel seat, footrest, armrests, seatbelt and controls
- Installation and commissioning, typically a day's work
- Connection to an existing socket near the stairs and charging points on the rail
- Remote call-and-send controls for each end
- Safety checks, a demonstration, the manufacturer's warranty and a first-year service
What affects the cost
Number of bends and landings
A staircase with one 90-degree turn needs a simpler rail than one with a half-landing, winder steps or a 180-degree turn. Every bend is fabricated to fit, so more bends mean a longer, more expensive rail.
Parking positions
An overrun or parking curve at the bottom moves the chair out of a hallway or away from the first step; at the top it lets the user get off away from the stairhead. They add rail length but are often the safest layout.
Single or twin rail
Some manufacturers use a single tube rail that follows the inside of the stairs closely, others a twin rail. The choice affects how much of the stair width stays free and how the chair levels itself on bends.
Chair features
A powered swivel and powered footrest cost more but help if the user has weak grip or poor balance. Perch seats and heavy-duty chairs are also available at extra cost.
Resale and reconditioned options
Because the rail is unique to your staircase, curved stairlifts have little resale value and reconditioned options mostly reuse the chair on a new rail. Some firms offer a buy-back, but it is usually small.
Lead time and aftercare
Made-to-measure rails typically take a few weeks to manufacture. Compare annual service costs, call-out charges and parts availability, since a curved rail can only be serviced properly by a firm that supports that model.
How to save
- Ask whether an inside or outside route for the rail is cheaper on your stairs; the shorter line is not always the one first suggested.
- Consider whether a parking curve is really needed or whether a hinged section or a simple end stop will do.
- Check zero-rated VAT (disabled) or 5% VAT (60 or over) eligibility, and apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant before ordering.
- Get quotes from at least three firms that survey in person, and compare the rail layout drawings side by side, not just the price.
Grants, tax and rules
VAT: 0% for disabled people, 5% for 60+
Our figures include 20% VAT. Stairlifts supplied to a disabled person are zero-rated. People aged 60 or over pay 5% VAT on the supply and installation of a stairlift (HMRC Notice 701/7, checked September 2026). The supplier applies the relief, usually after you sign an eligibility declaration.
Disabled Facilities Grant
Councils can fund a stairlift through the Disabled Facilities Grant: up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. It is means-tested for adults and an occupational therapist assesses the need first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a curved stairlift cost?
Expect around £6,500 fitted including 20% VAT for one curved staircase, from about £5,450 for a simple single bend to about £8,100 for complex layouts with parking curves and a powered chair. With 0% or 5% VAT the price is lower.
Why is a curved stairlift so much more expensive than a straight one?
The rail has to be designed and made for your staircase alone, with every bend and gradient change built in. A straight rail is cut from standard stock in a few minutes.
How long does a curved stairlift take to arrive?
Usually a few weeks from the survey, because the rail is manufactured to order. Fitting itself normally takes about a day.
Can I buy a second-hand curved stairlift?
The chair can sometimes be reused, but the old rail will not fit a different staircase, so savings are limited. Be wary of any offer that reuses a rail from another house.
Is there VAT on a curved stairlift?
Disabled people pay no VAT. People aged 60 or over pay 5% on supply and installation. Others pay the standard 20%, which is what our headline figures include.
Can a stairlift go round a landing to a second flight?
Yes, a curved rail can run continuously across a half-landing onto the next flight, so the user stays seated. If there is a separate flight further up, that is usually a second stairlift.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 9 · Labour: £310 · Materials: £5,102
Sources: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, tables 14 and 15; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.