How Much Does a Stairlift Cost in the UK? 2026 Price Guide
A stairlift in the UK can cost anywhere from £2,825 for a straight stairlift to £4,995 for a curved one, depending on the exact requirements for you and your staircase as well as other points to consider. All prices exclude VAT, as most stairlift users qualify for VAT relief – see below. This guide covers everything you need to know about stairlift prices and how to know what to look for when you are getting a stairlift quote.
What is the average price of a stairlift?
There is no standalone average price for a stairlift in the UK because of the number of variables to consider. Generally speaking, the starting price for a straight stairlift to be supplied and installed is £2,825, whilst the starting price for a curved stairlift to be supplied and fitted is £4,995.
Features that can add to the price include: powered swivel, so the seat automatically rotates for you to get on or off the stairlift; powered footrest, so the footrest automatically folds up or down; rail options such as bends/turns or a powered hinge if the bottom of the stairs are open; extended warranty options, so you have ongoing peace of mind and reassurance with your aftercare.
Why do stairlift prices vary so much?
The price difference between straight and curved stairlifts varies because straight stairlifts are usually kept as stock, with the rail cut to size as required, whilst curved stairlifts are bespoke and made to order. A straight set of stairs with 12 steps will be much cheaper to get a stairlift for than a staircase with lots of turns and landings to stop at.
The make and model of the stairlift will also have a big impact on the cost, with entry-level models at the lower end and industry-leading, award-winning models at the more expensive end of the pricing scale. You could think of it like buying a car; a brand-new automatic Jaguar will be a lot more expensive than a second-hand Ford with a manual gearbox, and the same theory applies to stairlifts.
Are stairlift prices negotiable?
There is always room to negotiate the cost of a stairlift with a supplier, key questions to ask are:
- Is there a refurbished option available at a lower price?
- Is there a longer warranty and service plan that could be included in the price?
- Is there a discount available for future interaction, such as a case study?
- Are there any costly features included that are not actually needed?
If a supplier isn’t happy about you asking important questions before you’ve even ordered with them, take it as a warning sign to avoid them.
How do I know how much to spend on a stairlift?
Reading stairlift price guides like this one is a great starting point to know how much you should spend. You can also make sure you get quotes from more than one supplier, contact manufacturers to verify information on your stairlift quotation, and speak to other people you know that have purchased a stairlift.
How can you work out a stairlift price?
A stairlift price isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ calculation, but you can have an idea of how the costs add up to your total price or get a stairlift quotation. The table below shows example prices to demonstrate how a supplier may work out the stairlift price for you:
| Feature | Straight stairlift | Curved stairlift |
|---|---|---|
|
Base price (stairlift including rail) |
£2,825 |
£4,995 |
|
Powered swivel seat |
£365 |
£365 |
|
Powered folding footrest |
£265 |
£265 |
|
Manual swivel seat |
Included |
Included |
|
Manual folding footrest |
Included |
Included |
|
Powered hinge rail section |
£615 |
N/A |
|
Rail bends/turns (each) |
N/A |
£295 |
|
Extra stopping points (each) |
N/A |
£195 |
|
Installation |
Included |
Included |
|
Standard warranty |
Included |
Included |
Above prices are correct as of August 2026 and are an example guide only and exclude VAT; exact pricing will depend on which make and model of stairlift is feasible for your staircase and personal requirements.
How much does a Stannah stairlift cost?
Stannah is one of the UK’s best-known stairlift manufacturers, and prices reflect that reputation for build quality and long-term reliability. As a guide for supply and installation, a straight Stannah stairlift typically starts from around £3,675, while a curved model – built to the exact measurements of your staircase – generally starts from £5,995 and rises depending on the number of turns, landings and any custom features.
Kudos Stairlifts is an accredited Stannah distributor, which means we supply, install and service Stannah lifts directly rather than acting as a middleman. It also means you get the manufacturer’s warranty alongside our own engineers for aftercare, rather than being passed between two separate companies when something needs attention.
Prices vary with your staircase, so the only way to know your actual figure is a free home survey – but the bands above give you a realistic starting point. (Prices stated are correct at time of writing, August 2026.)
What does stairlift servicing cost?
An annual service typically costs between £135 and £250 (before any parts if required) depending on the model, configuration and size, and whether you’re on a service plan. Most new stairlifts come with a warranty period covering parts and labour, so servicing costs usually only start once that warranty ends.
A yearly service is worth budgeting for rather than skipping. It keeps the safety sensors, operation and batteries in good order, and catches wear before it becomes a breakdown — which matters when the lift is how someone gets to their own bedroom.
One thing that’s often missed: if your original stairlift purchase qualified for zero-rated VAT because you’re chronically sick or disabled, your servicing and repairs are usually zero-rated too. That’s a saving of 20% on every service visit for as long as the same person is using the lift. (Prices stated are correct at time of writing, August 2026.)
Can I get help to pay for a stairlift?
If you are struggling financially but are in need of a stairlift, you can contact your Local Authority in the UK to find out if you qualify for assistance through a means-tested Disabilities Facilities Grant (DFG). The average timeframe from application to stairlift installation is 4 months to 1 year, with this varying between local councils.
Keep in mind that if you are in need of a stairlift, the likelihood is you will be exempt from paying VAT on top of your quoted stairlift price. You will be asked to complete a VAT Exemption Form to confirm your medical condition(s) and the product or service you are purchasing to qualify for this VAT relief.
Can I pay for a stairlift for my parents?
The stairlift user does not have to be the person paying for the stairlift so, although they will be named on the order, it does not have to be them that makes the payment. Your Mum or Dad, or other loved one, can order the stairlift but have someone else cover the costs directly with the supplier. They can even give permission for someone else to manage the stairlift order on their behalf. Kudos Stairlifts regularly liaise with sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and beyond, across Surrey, Kent, Sussex and London.
What should a stairlift quote include?
Make sure you have our checklist to hand to ensure any stairlift quote you receive includes everything it should:
- Stairlift make & model
- Stairlift condition (e.g. new or refurbished)
- Full list of features (e.g. powered or manual swivel, remote controls, stopping points)
- Full rail configuration (e.g. straight jointed rail, horizontal start with 1 bend and a flush top finish, rail length)
- Warranty length and conditions (e.g. any exclusions)
- Approximate lead time from order to installation
- Details of any other works required and whether they are included in the cost (e.g. power supply installation, handrail removal)
- Date of quote and date the quote is valid until
- Payment terms (e.g. 50% deposit on order, 50% balance on installation)
- A copy of the supplier’s full terms and conditions
How do I know if I can trust a stairlift quote?
You need to trust the stairlift supplier in order to trust their quotation. Our top tips for this are:
- Do your research on the company, including their online presence and verified customer reviews
- Speak to the supplier over the phone and gauge whether they listen to your needs and are happy to answer your questions
- Contact manufacturers directly to ask for their approved supplier(s) in your area
- Use trusted platforms and industry resources, such as the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA)
- Check accreditations and certifications, any reputable supplier will have this information readily available
You can also read our helpful Stairlift Buying Guide for further advice on the process.
Why are we transparent about our stairlift prices?
Kudos Stairlifts understand the vulnerable nature of our customers and that a stairlift is not a desired purchase – in fact, it is usually an urgent need to be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible. With this in mind, we recognise the importance of clarity with our stairlift prices to make the process as simple as possible. Our company motto has always been, “because it’s the quality of life that matters most” – as an industry-leading stairlift supplier, this means providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
How much does a stairlift cost? FAQs
How much does a straight stairlift cost?
£2,825 is the base price for an entry-level straight stairlift with standard manual features, a standard rail, a standard warranty and installation. The prices vary depending on different features, configurations and requirements; this price excludes VAT, as most stairlift users qualify for VAT relief.
How much does a curved stairlift cost?
£4,995 is the base price for an entry-level curved stairlift with standard manual features, 1 bend on the rail, a standard warranty and installation. The prices vary depending on different features, configurations and requirements; this price excludes VAT, as most stairlift users qualify for VAT relief.
How much cheaper is a refurbished stairlift?
You could save £200 to £1,000 by choosing a refurbished stairlift instead of a brand new stairlift. The amount you can save will depend on factors such as the age and features of the refurbished stairlift model.
What is the average price of a stairlift in the UK?
There’s no single average because of the number of variables, but as a rough guide a straight stairlift is around £3,000 and a curved stairlift around £5,500 – though prices can be higher or lower. These prices exclude VAT, as most stairlift users qualify for VAT relief.
Why is there such a big price range for stairlifts?
Straight and curved stairlifts are designed and manufactured in different ways, meaning there can be a big difference in the price between them. A curved stairlift for example needs a bespoke, made-to-measure rail, while a straight stairlift does not. Different models and features will also impact the cost.
How do I choose which stairlift quote to go ahead with?
Use stairlift price guides, stairlift buying guides and online resources like this one to check your quote includes everything it should. Do your research on the supplier(s) to make sure you are happy with them – including their accreditations and certifications, their verified customer reviews and what they are like to deal with when you speak to them.
How much does it cost to run a stairlift?
Very little. A stairlift only draws power while it’s moving (Stannah average it at 0.024kWh per trip), and spends the rest of the time trickle-charging its batteries – so the running cost is closer to a phone charger than a household appliance. For most households on a typical tariff, it works out at roughly £6.92 a year for straight stairlifts or £9.05 a year for curved stairlifts, even with several trips up and down each day (correct at time of writing, August 2026). The batteries themselves need replacing every few years, which is a separate cost your engineer will flag at an annual service.
Contact our Client Focus Team today to discuss how a stairlift can improve and protect the quality of life for you and your family.
Choose from a range of industry-leading curved or straight stairlifts, suitable for almost any staircase and expertly installed by our own engineers.
Call us now on 0800 1522400 to arrange your free, no obligation survey and quote, or to ask any questions you may have.
