Stairlift vs home lift: which one?
A stairlift is cheaper and quicker to fit; a home lift costs more and needs building work, but carries a wheelchair or walker and leaves the stairs free. Here is how to decide.
Updated Oct 21, 2026
At a glance
| Stairlift | Home lift | |
|---|---|---|
| Uses | The existing stairs | A spot in a room, through the floor |
| Building work | None (rail fixed to the treads) | Floor opening, power, making good |
| Wheelchair | No (unless a platform lift) | Yes, with a wheelchair car |
| Walker or shopping | Hard to carry | Easy |
| Stairs for others | Narrower when in use | Completely free |
| Typical cost | Lower | Several times higher |
Typical prices in United Kingdom
GBP
| What | Price range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stairlift | £2,000 – £5,000 Which? owner survey: from about £2,000; 86% paid £5,000 or less (average £3,501 in 2020, £3,867 in 2022). Stannah straight models from £3,585 with a two-year warranty. | Which? owner survey: from about £2,000; 86% paid £5,000 or less (average £3,501 in 2020, £3,867 in 2022). Stannah straight models from £3,585 with a two-year warranty. |
| Curved stairlift | from £7,000 Which?: curved or long staircases cost £7,000 or more. Stannah curved models from £7,134. | Which?: curved or long staircases cost £7,000 or more. Stannah curved models from £7,134. |
| Reconditioned straight stairlift | from £2,831 Reconditioned Stannah Siena for a straight stair, with installation, a one-year warranty and one service. | Reconditioned Stannah Siena for a straight stair, with installation, a one-year warranty and one service. |
| Home lift | £15,000 – £33,000excl. VAT Through-floor lifts without a shaft from £15,000 (Checkatrade) or £17,000 excluding VAT (Stiltz); hydraulic £23,000–28,000, traction £28,000–33,000, vacuum from £28,000. | Through-floor lifts without a shaft from £15,000 (Checkatrade) or £17,000 excluding VAT (Stiltz); hydraulic £23,000–28,000, traction £28,000–33,000, vacuum from £28,000. |
| Building work for a home lift | from £2,500 Typical building work for a through-floor lift: the floor opening, a power supply and making good. | Typical building work for a through-floor lift: the floor opening, a power supply and making good. |
| Service per year | £211 Average paid for a service (Which? owner survey). | Average paid for a service (Which? owner survey). |
| Repair visit | £224 Average paid for a repair visit (Which? owner survey). | Average paid for a repair visit (Which? owner survey). |
Disabled people pay no VAT on a stairlift, its installation and repairs (GOV.UK).
Sources: Which? (2020-09), checked Oct 21, 2026 · Stannah (UK), checked Oct 21, 2026 · Checkatrade (2024-05), checked Oct 21, 2026 · Stiltz (UK), checked Oct 21, 2026
Choose a stairlift when
- The user can sit, stand up and transfer safely.
- The stairs are suitable (see the fit check).
- Budget and speed matter most.
Choose a home lift when
- The user is in a wheelchair or will be soon.
- The stairs are narrow, steep or spiral.
- Two people need to travel together, or you want to keep the stairs free.
Check the space with the home lift space checker.
Frequently asked questions
Is a home lift worth it compared with a stairlift?
If the user is or will be in a wheelchair, or the stairs don't suit a stairlift, a home lift is often the only practical answer. Otherwise a stairlift costs much less.
Does a home lift add value to a house?
It can appeal to some buyers, but don't count on it; the IRS, for example, treats elevators as usually adding value while other lifts usually don't.
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