Date Published: November 1st, 2022
Installing a stairlift in your home could vastly improve your quality of life. Not only will you move around with greater ease, but a stairlift can reinforce how safe you feel in your own home.
Living with mobility issues can make it hard to stay in a house unsuitable for your needs. With a stairlift, you can alter your home to accommodate your new needs. Access upstairs and downstairs with basic controls and take back all floors of your home!
If you or a loved one are looking to purchase a stairlift, it’s normal to wonder: ‘what is the average cost of installing a stairlift in the UK?’ In this article, we’ll tell you how much stairlift installation costs and any additional features you may need to factor into your budget.
Let’s get started!
What is a stairlift?
Stairlifts are chairs mounted on a rail system that transports users to the top and bottom of domestic staircases. They can be straight or curved around walls, with some consisting of a single chair and others able to accommodate wheelchair users.
They are ingenious mechanical inventions that have improved the lives of millions. With a stairlift, you can put all your mobility stresses on the back burner.
As they come in many different models for those with distinct needs, the prices of stairlifts vary. Realistically estimating the cost of your stairlift installation means accounting for several factors. For example, who is your stairlift going to be assisting?
Who uses a stairlift?
Deciding to install a stairlift in your or a loved one's home is a big step. Stairlifts are typically used by those with mobility issues preventing them from travelling up and down stairs. For example, those with severe arthritis or weak hearts may benefit from additional help at home.
Stairlifts can be life-changing for those recovering from hip or knee replacement surgeries. If you suffer from reduced strength and flexibility, stairlifts will take the weight off your body by transporting you around your home.
No more planning and worrying about getting to the top: stairlifts allow you to reserve your energy for more important things. You can free yourself from unnecessary pain and strain.
When considering stairlift installation, you must think: ‘who will be using it most?’ The majority of stairlifts can accommodate around 20-30 stones of weight. However, if you or your loved one exceeds this weight, you may be restricted in what you can buy.
It is also vital to consider how your or your loved one’s dexterity will affect the stairlift you purchase.
To operate one, you will need to be able to use the controls and footrest. However, if you cannot, you may have to pay more to have a joystick or personalised controls.
What is the average cost of installing a stairlift?
According to a survey conducted by Which in 2020, the average cost of installing a stairlift is around £3,284.
However, this can fluctuate depending on which type of stairlift you need. For example, a straight stairlift installation averages £2,845, but this increases if there is a curve in your staircase, making the installation £4,217.
The following statistics collected by Check a Trade are an excellent guide to stairlift costs:
Straight Stairlifts
Does your staircase have no curves or bends? Then it’s perfect for a straight stairlift! As the lowest price option on our list, it is ideal for those working on a tight budget.
Their installation is quick and easy because no customisation is required. Straight stairlifts are a straightforward choice that will give you more mobility but won’t break the bank!
Curved Stairlifts
If your main staircase has a curve or a bend, you may have to foot an increased cost. Fitting a bespoke, curved staircase will be more expensive because you need a customised rail bend. This rail must be constructed specifically for your home.
Such personalisation can make installation longer, and this is without factoring in the hourly rates requested by your installers. Depending on the company you choose and the complexity of the curved stairlift, this option will cost more than a simple, straight stairlift.
Outdoor Stairlifts
Living with mobility issues may also restrict you from accessing your garden. Garden steps can often be slippery in bad weather conditions and can be significantly more uneven than indoor steps.
For some, gardens are the perfect sanctuary. Installing an outdoor stairlift can help you enjoy the fresh air again. Green-fingered gardeners can tend to their plants without worrying about getting up and down.
Outdoor stairlifts need temperature and weather protection to withstand extreme temperatures, rain and wind. However, the installation costs are similar to that of a straight stairlift because curves and bends in garden stairs are uncommon.
Are there any additional costs to installing a stairlift?
Wall Structural Strength
If you live in an old home, an engineer must come to your home to check your wall's structural integrity. Stairlifts are designed to bear 20-30 stone of weight: while the seating area must withstand this, the walls of your home must be able to carry this weight too.
Service Costs
Every six months, an engineer must perform maintenance checks on your newly installed stairlift. Alongside annual servicing, these are all costs that you must consider in your budget planning.
Luckily, most companies offer stairlift warranties to cover any damage or repairs necessary. However, after this runs out, you may have to pay the engineer a standard hourly rate to assess and fix any issues.
