Short answer: installed stairlift costs in the UK in 2026 fall into three clear bands — straight from £1,995, reconditioned from £995, and curved from £2,995. Those are all-in prices including the survey, install, handover and a 12-month warranty.
There's no shortage of "from £X" headline prices online that don't include installation, VAT relief, or the bits you actually need on the day. Below is what the average UK household actually pays, and what drives the price up or down.
Average installed cost by stairlift type
| Type | Typical UK range | Our fixed price | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reconditioned straight | £900 – £1,800 | £995 | Pre-loved Acorn 130, refurbished, 12-month warranty |
| New straight | £1,800 – £3,500 | £1,995 | New Acorn 130, swivel seat, folding arms/footrest |
| New curved (standard turn) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £2,995 | Made-to-measure Acorn 180, modular rail |
| New curved (complex layout) | £5,000 – £9,000+ | from £2,995 | Multiple turns, half-landings, hinged rail |
| Outdoor stairlift | £3,000 – £5,000 | quoted on survey | Weatherproof, sealed motor, battery backup |
| Heavy-duty stairlift | £3,500 – £5,500 | quoted on survey | Reinforced for users up to 25 stone |
The wide ranges reflect that some companies charge separately for survey, delivery, fitting, handover, first service and even the remote controls. Our price is what you pay — nothing added on the day.
What's included in a "fitted" price
Any honest quote should cover:
- Free home survey with measurements and a written quote
- The stairlift unit itself — seat, rail, motor, charger
- Delivery and installation by qualified engineers
- Full handover — demonstration, controls, safety features
- 12-month parts and labour warranty
- Removal of packaging and a tidy work area
If a "from £X" price doesn't cover all six, ask what the on-the-day total will be before you book a survey.
What can push the price up
- Curved rails are made to measure for your staircase — more turns or a half-landing add to the rail length.
- Hinged rail option at the bottom (to clear a doorway) — typically £150–£300 extra.
- Powered swivel and folding footrest — standard on Acorn 180, an upgrade on some other models.
- Outdoor and heavy-duty units use stronger components and weatherproofing.
- Emergency fitting for curved lifts — 48-hour manufacture instead of 1–3 weeks.
VAT relief — saving 20%
If the user has a long-term illness or disability, the stairlift and installation are zero-rated for VAT. That's a 20% saving — around £400 off a straight lift or £600 off a curved. The customer signs a simple declaration on the day; we handle the paperwork.
Grants and council funding
- Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) — up to £30,000 in England, means-tested, for adaptations including stairlifts. Apply through your local council.
- Independent Living Fund Scotland / Wales / NI equivalents — similar schemes, different rules.
- Charitable grants — Independence at Home, Turn2us and many local trusts offer one-off contributions.
We can talk you through which applies — it varies a lot by postcode and circumstance.
Renting vs buying
For short-term needs (under 12 months — post-op recovery, end-of-life care, while a curved lift is being manufactured) renting often makes more sense. See stairlift rental. For permanent use, buying nearly always works out cheaper within the first year.
Reconditioned vs new
A reconditioned straight stairlift at £995 is genuinely the right call for many households — particularly where the need is uncertain (medium-term illness, partner's recovery) or budget is tight. Every reconditioned unit is fully workshop-refurbished and carries the same 12-month warranty as a new install.
Why we publish fixed prices
Most of our competitors quote on the survey. We've found customers strongly prefer to know what the cost will be before they invite anyone into the house. So our quote is the price — straight, reconditioned and curved — with VAT relief applied automatically where eligible.
If your staircase is genuinely unusual (rare on a UK home), the surveyor will confirm the price on the day and there's still no obligation.
Our fixed prices
| Type | Fitted price | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stairlift | £1,995 | 24–48 hours |
| Reconditioned stairlift | £995 | 24–48 hours |
| Curved stairlift | £2,995 | 1–3 weeks (or 48 hours with our Emergency option) |
All prices include the free home survey, installation, handover and a 12-month warranty.
Our stairlifts
- Straight stairlifts — £1,995 fitted
- Curved stairlifts — £2,995 fitted
- Reconditioned stairlifts — £995 fitted
- Outdoor stairlifts
- Servicing & repairs
Book a free home survey
Call 0161 330 5544 or request a callback. A local engineer will measure your stairs and give you a fixed price on the day — no pressure, no obligation.
Not sure which stairlift you need?
Book a free no-obligation home survey. A local engineer will measure your stairs and recommend the right lift — usually within 48 hours.