Stairlifts: straight, curved, reconditioned and grants

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

A stairlift can be the difference between staying in your home and moving. Straight staircases are quick and comparatively cheap to fit; curved ones need a made-to-measure rail and cost far more. Before you get quotes, ask your council about an assessment and a grant.

Who a stairlift suits

A stairlift suits someone who can sit down, stand up and move sideways on and off a seat safely, but finds the stairs tiring, painful or frightening. It may not suit someone who cannot sit upright unaided or who would not remember how to use it safely. An occupational therapist can advise on this, and on alternatives such as a second banister, moving a bedroom downstairs or a through-floor lift.

Straight or curved?

Straight stairlifts run on a standard rail cut to length. They suit a single straight flight with no bends or landings part-way up.
Curved stairlifts have a rail made to fit your particular staircase, round corners and across half-landings. Because the rail is bespoke, it costs much more, takes longer to supply and has little resale value.

The rail is fixed to the stair treads, not the wall, and the lift runs on batteries that recharge when parked, so it normally still works in a power cut. Ask the supplier to confirm this for the model you are offered.

What to look for

A swivel seat that turns to face the landing at the top, so you get off away from the stairs. Powered swivels help if twisting is difficult.
Controls you can work. A light-touch joystick or toggle suits stiff hands.
A seat belt you can fasten yourself.
Safety sensors that stop the lift if something is on the stairs.
Fold-up seat, arms and footrest, so other people can still use the stairs.
A hinged rail if the bottom of the track would otherwise block a doorway.
Remote call controls at the top and bottom, essential if two people share it.
Maximum user weight.
Warranty, servicing and call-out. Ask what a service costs after the warranty ends and how quickly an engineer will come if you are stuck.

Measuring and the survey

You do not measure up for a stairlift yourself. The supplier surveys the staircase, checking its width, length, any doors or radiators near the top and bottom, and where you will get on and off. The survey should be free and should not commit you to anything. Get at least three written quotes for the same type of lift.

New, reconditioned or rented

New gives the longest warranty and the widest choice.
Reconditioned straight stairlifts are widely sold and can save a good deal, because the chair and a standard rail are easily reused. Ask how old the unit is, whether the batteries are new, and how long the warranty is. With curved lifts usually only the chair is reconditioned; the rail still has to be made new.
Rental suits a short-term need, such as recovering from an operation, or if you are not sure how long you will stay in the house. Expect an installation charge and a monthly fee, and check who pays for removal.

Rough price guide

Prices vary widely between suppliers and staircases, so treat this as a rough guide only: a new straight stairlift is typically priced in the low thousands of pounds, a reconditioned one noticeably less, and a curved stairlift usually costs several thousand pounds more than a straight one. Always compare written quotes, and feel free to negotiate; our haggling guide may help.

Grants and help with the cost

Disabled Facilities Grant (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

A Disabled Facilities Grant is money from your council towards changes to your home, and GOV.UK lists a stairlift as an example. At the time of writing (November 2026) GOV.UK gives the maximum as up to £30,000 in England, up to £36,000 in Wales and up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland.

How much you get usually depends on your household income and any household savings over £6,000, so you may have to pay part of the cost.
Owners, tenants and landlords can apply.
It does not affect any benefits you receive.
The council must agree the work is necessary and appropriate, which normally means an occupational therapy assessment.

Watch out: GOV.UK warns that you might not get any grant if you start work before the council approves your application. Do not order a stairlift first and apply afterwards.

Scotland

Disabled Facilities Grants are not available in Scotland. Instead, councils provide equipment and adaptations after an assessment, and give grants towards essential adaptations for homeowners and private tenants. Contact your council's social work department, and see the Scottish Government's guide to funding adaptations to the home.

VAT

If you have a long-term illness or disability, a stairlift installed for you should be free of VAT. If you are 60 or over but not disabled, a reduced rate of VAT can apply when a stairlift is supplied and fitted in your home. See VAT relief on mobility aids.

Mistakes to avoid

Signing on the day. A "today only" discount is a sales tactic. Have a relative or friend with you for any home visit, and read our guide to doorstep selling rights.
Getting only one quote.
Forgetting running costs: annual servicing, batteries and repairs.
Assuming you can cancel. Made-to-measure goods are often excluded from the usual cooling-off rights, so ask before a curved rail is ordered. See your consumer rights.

Common questions

Will a stairlift fit my narrow stairs?

Often, yes. Slimline models and fold-up seats are designed for narrow staircases, but only a survey can say for certain.

Do I need planning permission?

Not normally for a stairlift inside your own home. If you rent, you need your landlord's permission, and if you live in a flat with shared stairs you will need the freeholder's agreement.

Can I buy a second-hand stairlift privately?

It is risky. The rail must fit your stairs exactly and the lift must be installed by a competent engineer. A reconditioned lift from an established supplier, fitted with a warranty, is the safer way to save money. See buying second-hand mobility equipment.