Straight answers on stairlift costs, funding, installation, safety and servicing from Multicare Mobility, with over 35 years' experience fitting and repairing stairlifts across the UK.
At Multicare, a straight stairlift costs around £1,850 on average, with models listed from £1,595 to £2,695. A curved stairlift costs around £4,900 on average, with models listed from £3,395 to £5,895. Reconditioned options are available at lower prices.
Heavy-duty stairlifts cost more, with models listed from £2,795 to £8,995 depending on weight capacity and whether the staircase is straight or curved.
The final price depends on:
the type of staircase, straight or curved
the length and complexity of the stairs
whether you choose a new or reconditioned stairlift
added features such as power-folding footrests or key-lock controls
the installation requirements
Curved stairlifts cost more because the rail is custom made to fit your staircase. Multicare offers a free, no-obligation home survey to give you an accurate quote for your home.
Yes, you may be eligible. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from your local council provides up to £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales towards home adaptations, including stairlifts. Stairlifts supplied to people with a disability or long-term illness also qualify for VAT relief, so you will not pay the standard 20% rate.
Some charities also offer help towards the cost of a stairlift.
Eligibility and grant levels can change, so contact your local council or occupational therapist for current guidance.
Multicare's team can advise on potential funding options, confirm whether you are eligible for VAT relief and help you complete the VAT paperwork. Find out more in our guide to VAT relief on stairlifts.
Renting is usually best for short-term needs of up to around 12 to 18 months, such as a relative coming to stay or a temporary mobility problem. Buying a new or reconditioned stairlift is normally cheaper for longer-term use.
Multicare's rental agreements work on a fixed price and include:
installation
ongoing maintenance and servicing
removal at the end of the rental period
You can choose to buy the stairlift at any time. Straight and curved stairlift rental are both available.
A stairlift is a motorised seat that travels along a rail fitted to your staircase. The rail is mounted to the stairs rather than the wall, and the controls are usually on the armrest or available as a remote.
There are two main types:
Straight stairlifts run on a straight rail cut to the exact length of the staircase.
Curved stairlifts use a custom-made rail that follows bends, turns and landings.
All stairlifts Multicare supplies are battery-operated, and features like powered swivel seats make getting on and off easier.
Yes. All stairlifts Multicare supplies are battery-operated, so they keep working safely during a power cut. Rechargeable batteries allow several trips up and down the stairs, and they recharge automatically when the stairlift is parked at its charging point at the top or bottom of the stairs.
To keep the batteries topped up, park the stairlift at a charging point after each journey.
You will need a nearby socket to keep the battery charged. Multicare's engineers will recommend the best charging setup during your free home survey.
It depends on the model. For example, the standard Platinum curved stairlift carries up to 19 stone (120kg) and the Acorn 130 carries up to 20 stone (127kg). Heavy-duty stairlifts typically support up to 30 stone (190kg), and some models can carry more.
Heavy-duty stairlifts usually have wider seats and sturdier frames, but they are designed to fit most standard staircases, including curved stairs.
If you weigh more than a standard stairlift's limit or need a wider seat, a heavy-duty model is the right choice. Multicare's free home survey measures your stairs and recommends the best model for your needs.
A straight stairlift travels on a straight rail and suits staircases with no curves or turns. A curved stairlift is custom built for stairs with bends, turns or landings, including L-shaped, U-shaped, spiral and winder staircases, and takes longer to install.
Because straight stairlift rails are modular, there is no need for custom manufacturing, and a straight stairlift can usually be installed in just a few hours.
Each curved rail is custom made to fit your staircase precisely, so delivery and fitting usually take 2 to 4 weeks after your order.
Yes. Multicare's slimline stairlifts are built for narrow staircases, with fold-away seats, armrests and footrests so the stairs stay clear for the rest of your household when the stairlift is not in use.
The narrower the staircase, the fewer models will fit. For the narrowest spaces, Multicare offers the Flow X stairlift, which suits staircases as narrow as 610mm (24 inches).
A free home survey confirms the most suitable stairlift for your stairs. You can also read our guide to stairlifts for narrow stairs.
Yes. Multicare's outdoor stairlifts are built for the British weather, with weather-resistant materials, waterproof covers, rust-resistant parts, waterproof electrics and non-slip seating to handle rain, snow and changing temperatures all year round.
They suit:
garden paths and steps
front door steps
porches
sloped driveways
Outdoor stairlifts are available for both straight and curved outside staircases. Like indoor models, they run on rechargeable batteries and include safety belts, smooth start-and-stop functions and obstruction sensors.
Most straight stairlifts are installed the same day, often within a few hours. Curved stairlifts take longer because each rail is custom made to fit your staircase, so expect delivery and fitting within 2 to 4 weeks of your order.
Multicare's engineers work quickly and cleanly, with minimal disruption to your home.
No structural changes are needed, because the rail is fixed to the stairs rather than the wall.
No. The stairlift rail is fixed directly to the stair treads, not the wall, so your walls stay untouched. A straight stairlift can be removed with minimal marking, which makes it suitable for owned or rented homes.
Installation is carried out by trained engineers to make sure the stairlift is secure without damaging your property.
For listed buildings, Multicare advises on planning and building regulations and designs installations that are reversible and sympathetic to the historic building.
Often, a straight stairlift can be reinstalled in a new home, although you will need a new survey to check it fits. Curved stairlifts are custom made for one staircase, so they usually cannot be moved to a different property without major changes.
If you expect to move, ask about rental, buy-back or reconditioned options during your free home survey.
If you no longer need your stairlift, Multicare's Sell Your Stairlift service will assess it, offer a fair price and arrange professional removal.
Yes. All stairlifts, new or reconditioned, must meet strict safety standards. Modern stairlifts include seatbelts, obstruction sensors, battery backup, smooth start and stop, swivel seats and locking key switches.
Safety sensors stop the stairlift if something is blocking the stairs, protecting everyone in the home.
When your stairlift is serviced, Multicare's qualified engineers test every safety feature to keep it in top condition.
Look for a seatbelt, obstruction sensors, battery backup for power cuts, smooth start and stop, a swivel seat for getting off safely at the top of the stairs, and a locking key switch.
Optional extras include:
powered swivel seats
folding footrests
remote controls
On many models, a remote lets you call the stairlift to you, and some come with two remotes for homes with more than one user.
A stairlift should be serviced once a year to keep it in the best condition. During a service, Multicare's qualified engineers inspect every component, lubricate moving parts, check the electrics and test the safety features.
Professional servicing protects your warranty, and Multicare records all work carried out to help you meet manufacturer or warranty terms.
Multicare services all types of stairlift, including those bought elsewhere, and runs a 24 hour emergency callout service, 365 days a year. Read more in our guide to how often you really need a stairlift service.
Most stairlifts last around 10 to 15 years with proper care, and high-quality models can last longer. Batteries are a consumable part that lasts roughly 2 to 5 years, and replacing them is routine maintenance, not a sign the stairlift is finished.
Professional installation, annual servicing and good charging habits all extend a stairlift's working life.
Reconditioned stairlifts are fully refurbished and tested, and come with a 6 to 12 month warranty covering parts and labour.
