Cost guides › Stairlift
United Kingdom
How much does a stairlift cost?
A new stairlift for one straight flight typically costs £3,000 fitted, including 20% VAT, with most quotes between £2,350 and £3,900. That covers the chair, the rail cut to your stairs, installation, commissioning and the first-year service. An entry-level model is around £2,200; a model with a powered swivel seat, powered footrest and a hinged rail is nearer £4,150. Disabled people pay no VAT on a stairlift, which lowers these figures noticeably.
Most homeowners pay
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Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| East Midlands | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| London | £2,250 | £3,000 | £4,200 |
| North East | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| North West | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| Scotland | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| South East | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| South West | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| Wales | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
| West Midlands | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
Show all regions
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £2,200 | £3,000 | £4,150 |
What's included
Mid-range
- A home survey and measurement of the staircase
- New stairlift chair with seat, footrest, armrests, seatbelt and controls
- Aluminium or steel rail cut to length for one straight flight of about 13 to 14 steps, with brackets fixed to the treads
- Installation, usually in half a day to a day, with the chair connected to an existing socket near the stairs
- Commissioning, safety checks and a demonstration for the user and family
- Two remote call-and-send controls, one for the top and one for the bottom
- Manufacturer's warranty and a first-year service and safety check
What affects the cost
New, reconditioned or rented
Reconditioned stairlifts are refurbished used units on a new or reused rail and cost clearly less than new, usually with a shorter warranty. Rental suits short-term needs, such as recovery after an operation, but over a few years it can cost more than buying.
Rail length and the bottom landing
Our figures assume a standard flight. Where the rail would block a door or walkway at the bottom, a manual or powered hinged rail folds out of the way, which adds cost. Longer flights need a longer rail.
Seat features
A manual swivel seat is standard; a powered swivel, powered footrest and folding seat help people with limited strength or grip. A perch seat suits people who find it hard to bend their knees, and heavy-duty models are needed above the standard weight limit.
Stair width and space at the top
Narrow stairs need a slimline model that folds tight so others can still use the stairs. At the top, there must be space to swivel and step off safely onto the landing.
Power and batteries
Most modern stairlifts run on batteries charged from a socket, so they still work for a number of trips in a power cut. If there is no socket near the stairs, an electrician will need to fit one, which is not included here.
Servicing and aftercare
Compare what happens after year one: annual service cost, call-out charges, response times and whether an extended warranty is worth it. A cheap unit with expensive aftercare can cost more over five years.
How to save
- Ask about a reconditioned stairlift if the staircase is straight; they are easier to reuse on straight rails.
- Check whether the user qualifies for zero-rated VAT (disabled) or the 5% rate (60 or over) before you sign.
- Contact the council about the Disabled Facilities Grant before you order, as work already done may not be funded.
- Get at least three written quotes and do not agree to a price on the day of a sales visit; a reputable firm will hold its quote.
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 who do not qualify as disabled 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 needs an occupational therapist's assessment first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a stairlift cost in the UK?
A new straight stairlift typically costs £3,000 fitted including 20% VAT, or about £2,200 for an entry-level model. Disabled people pay no VAT and people aged 60+ pay 5%, so the real price for most users is lower than these VAT-inclusive figures.
Do I pay VAT on a stairlift?
Not if you are disabled: stairlifts for disabled people are zero-rated. If you are 60 or over, you pay 5% VAT on supply and installation. Everyone else pays the standard 20%.
Can I get a stairlift for free?
If the user is disabled, the council may pay through the Disabled Facilities Grant after an occupational therapist's assessment and a means test. Some councils also have their own schemes for smaller adaptations.
Are reconditioned stairlifts worth it?
For a straight staircase they can be good value, because straight rails are simple to cut and reuse. Check the age of the chair, what has been replaced, the warranty length and who services it.
How long does it take to fit a stairlift?
A straight stairlift is usually fitted in a few hours to a day, and often within days of ordering, because the rail is cut from stock. The rail fixes to the stair treads, not the wall.
Can other people still use the stairs?
Yes. When parked, the seat, arms and footrest fold up and the rail sits close to the wall. On narrow stairs, ask for the folded width of the model you are quoted.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 5 · Labour: £176 · Materials: £2,314
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.