BEST STAIRLIFT COMPANIES IN UK | March 2024
stairlift companies

March 2024

Stairlift Companies in March 2024

A stair lift is useful for helping people with mobility issues get up and down the stairs in their homes, making everyday life easier. Not all stairlifts are the same, so it is important to do your research into stairlift companies to get the right stairlift for your needs.

Topics that you will find covered on this page

You can listen to an audio recording of this page below.

What is a stairlift?

Stairlifts are chairs powered by batteries to run along a track up and down the stairs. They are used by people with limited mobility so that they can be more independent. Beyond this, there is great variety, and stairlifts can be inside or outdoor models, on straight or curved tracks, and have varying comfort levels.

How do you know when you need to get a stairlift? 

A stair lift is necessary when it is a real struggle to get up and down the stairs in your house. It is often much easier to get a stairlift fitted than in than it is to move to a bungalow or a ground floor flat.

What should you do before buying a stair lift?

Before choosing a stair lift company, there are things you should consider doing:

  • Have a conversation with an Occupational Therapist who can discuss the appropriate options for your needs.
  • Speak to a friend or anyone else who already has a stairlift, and ask them their opinion on stairlifts and what is important to them.
  • Get quotes from different stairlift companies and look at the free stairlift company brochures and information packs. You should not let yourself be pressured into buying a particular stairlift off the bat by a cold caller. 
  • Contact your Local Authority to see if you might be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant or other stairlift grants.

Who sells the best stairlift?

What are the benefits of getting a Stannah Stairlift?

  • Stannah stairlifts are widely available across the UK
  • Wide range available, including straight and curved models, and narrow and wide stairlifts
  • Lowest starting point price compared to other stairlift companies
  • You can buy reconditioned stairlifts or rent a stairlift
  • Which? recommended and have a good reputation
  • They have support and engineers contactable 24 hours a day
  • They come with a free warranty, which includes engineer callouts and aftercare.

What are the benefits of an Acorn Stairlift?

  • There is a range of options, including straight stair lift, curved stairlift, swivel seats, lifts for narrow staircases and an outdoor model
  • Acorn stairlifts are fit to the stairs rather than the to the wall, which gives you more space on the top landing
  • You can get next-day professional installation services
  • There is a 12 month manufacturer guarantee on Acorn stairlifts
  • They come with a fitted seatbelt
  • You can get an extended warranty which includes callouts, parts and labour
  • Their help desk is open every day of the year

What are the benefits of a Bruno Stairlift?

  • Unlike many stairlift companies, Bruno stairlift models follow ISO 9001 certification for quality
  • High reviews
  • Fold-up seats, folding arms and walled tightly so do not take up too much space
  • Folding rail where staircase is adjacent to a door or walkway, giving you extra space
  • Automatic charging via the rail using continuous charge strips
  • Lifetime warranty

Why choose the world's most innovative stairlifts from Acorn?

Fits quickly and easily to the stairs, not the wall
Requires no structural changes to your home
Affordable and reliable with low running costs
Slimline and folds away conveniently when not in use
Optional hinged rail designed to eliminate any trip or hazard

Read below what Acorn's clients have to say about them

More reasons why we think Acorn are the best option

Stairlifts made in the UK
Same day home appointments available
Next day installation available
Amazing feedback and testimonials
Market leading experience in the UK

Call now on 0333 567 1603 to get a quote or to discuss your stairlift requirements.

Or

Book a callback, in the calendar below, for a time that suits you.

stair lift company

What are the benefits of Handicare stairlifts?

  • They have some of the most innovative technology, including having the slimmest straight lift of all the stairlift manufacturers
  • Handicare accessibility is higher than other brands
  • There is a range of Handicare stairlift, from wheelchair lifts to made to measure curved stairlift, and outdoor and indoor stairlifts
  • Offer 3D photo survey, which makes sure that the fit is perfect for your staircase, for a stable ride
  • There is a range of Handicare stairlift colours available, so it will match your house
  • They have have plus size options, which go up to a weight capacity of 35st
  • Extended warranty, which can include service and relocation
  • The website is very accessible, so will help you find the best stair lifts for you

"There are a wide range of stairlift companies selling stairlifts. The biggest brands are Stannah, Acorn, Bruno, Handicare, AgeUK and companion stairlifts."

What are the benefits of Platinum stairlifts?

  • They are handmade in the United Kingdom 
  • They are tailored especially to your home, so work on tight spaces, including spiral staircases
  • They have an ERGO model with an adjustable seat
  • There is a range of colours
  • Retractable seat belts
  • They have a capacity of up to 25st
  • Supply time of within 7 days (industry leading)
  • They use battery power and automatically charged from mains supply
benefits of stairlifts

What are the benefits of an AgeUK stairlift?

  • They offer a price match guarantee
  • 14 day money back guarantee
  • Their customer support centre is open on weekends
  • They offer a power swivel seat and folding footplates for a smoother ride
  • Standard 2 year warranty 

What are the benefits of Bespoke Stairlifts?

  • There are multi-point sensors to ensure safety
  • There is an optional retractable seatbelt
  • 12-month warranty
  • There is an extended warranty available and the first service is free
  • Optional powered swivel feature
  • You can get secondhand stairlifts
  • Fast-track orders available

What are the types of stairlifts available?

Seated stairlift

This is where you sit on a swivel seat so you can move from seated to standing up. 

Perch stairlift

Perch seats are better if the user finds it hard to sit comfortably. It means that you perch compared to sitting down, which uses hip or knee joints less. There will also generally be a retractable seatbelt too.

Straight stairlifts

Straight stairlifts will only go up straight staircases. They are fitted to the stair tread, not the wall, which means there is less redecoration necessary. They are mains powered and often come with battery backups.

Seated stairlift

Curved stairlift

Curved stairlifts will go around a bend in curved staircases, and can go across landings. They are normally more expensive than a straight stairlift because they have to be made to order to fit your particular stairs. They normally operate on a rail that fits close to the wall, and have rechargeable batteries that charge at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Outdoor stairlift

Outdoor stairlifts help  a user gain access to exposed sites, like going up to a front door, in the garden, or other outdoor spaces. Outdoor stair lifts have a waterproof cover and unlike an indoor model are built to handle the elements.

Transfer platform stairlift

This is for where you have a straight staircase with a half landing or multiple landings. To use one of these, you need to be mobile enough to move from one stairlift to another. If you think the user might lose this mobility in the future, you should consider getting a curved stairlift instead. 

What questions should I ask when choosing a stairlift?

  • Will it be temporary or permanent?
  • What size stairlift is necessary?
  • Do you want your stairlift to fit in with the decor of your home? If so, you might need to get a premium stairlift or upgraded upholstery
  • Do you have a curved or straight staircase? This will impact whether you can get a straight stairlift
  • Are there doors at the top or bottom of your stairs which might require a rail option or flip-up seat?

What considerations are there when choosing a stairlift company?

What are the best stair lift companies?

There are a wide range of  stairlift companies selling stairlifts. The biggest brands are Stannah, Acorn,  Bruno, Handicare, AgeUK and companion stairlifts. However, there are also smaller more boutique brands available, like Platinum Stairlifts, Bespoke Stairlifts and Thyssenkrupp, Elite stairlift, harmar stairlift and other authorised mobility dealers.

How much do stairlifts cost?

The most straightforward staircase will cost around £2,000, but if there is a curved staircase, this could be up to £6,000, even more for a spiral staircase.

According to Which?, the average price consumers pay for a straight lift is £2,845, and the average curved stairlifts cost is £4,217.

Evidently, it is cheaper if you look at reconditioned stairlifts. You should check if the user can get a disabled facilities grant.

What is the cheapest stairlift brand?

The cheapest brand is Acorn, where the average price paid is £3,035 for a new stairlift. 

What is the most expensive stairlift brand? 

The most costly brand is Stannah, where the average cost is £3,733. It is important to remember that you can often negotiate a cheaper price or get additional features in the price. 

What do you need to consider when choosing between stairlift suppliers?

There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a company to go with, including:

  • The quality of the stairlift compared to the industry standard
  • Optional features like remote controls, folding rails, a retractable seat belt, multiple height adjustments, a covered gear rack, a swivel seat, a power folding footrest and capacity to deal with power outages
  • Cost of installation
  • Additional costs, like getting a service or repairs
  • Warranties
  • The aftercare the company provides
  • If there is a rental option
  • Maximum weight limit
stairlift brand

How much weight will a stairlift carry?

This depends on the model so you need to consider this when picking a stair lift company. The standard stair lift will hold 18st to 22st, but some have an enhanced weight capacity, for example Stannah have heavy duty stairlifts which hold up to £25st.

What are the most important safety features to be aware of?

Most stairlifts will have seatbelts and safety sensors so that they stop if there is an obstruction on the stairs. Some stairlifts will have a redundancy feature which makes sure that you do not get stuck on the stairs, like have battery backups or spare motors.  

What sort of warranty should I expect?

A lot of the time the warranty will be divided up into different aspects, like 3 years for the motor, and 1 to 2 years warranty for electrical components. A limited lifetime warranty really means 10 years for all of the parts.

Can I rent my stairlift?

You can rent a stair lift if your situation is temporary or you do not want to pay the full cost of a lift. However, keep in mind that most rental companies do charge extra fees for using their equipment during non-standard hours. Also, you can only rent straight stairlifts because curved stairlifts have to be specially made to fit the curved stairs. 

How long do stairlifts last?

You should expect your stairlift to last you 10 years. You can help you stairlift last longer by having it regularly serviced and keeping it in good condition. To ensure you get this long, look into the term of coverage received and try and get a stairlift with a lifetime warranty or 10-year warranty.

Do you need maintenance to keep a stairlift running?

Stairs can become slippery when wet or dirty so it’s important that they are kept clean at all times. If a step becomes damaged then it needs replacing as soon as possible. The same goes for any other part of the lift – if something isn’t working properly, get it fixed immediately.

get a stair lift fitted

How do you get a quote to get a stair lift fitted?

You can get a straightforward free stairlift quote online on the company website, or you can have a home visit where a trained surveyor will help you consider what the best stairlift is for you. Generally an online quote will only include the base price and not additional costs of customising stairlift models to your home, which will be higher for curved models.

What will happen at a home visit?

The surveyor will consider various factors, including:

  • Your mobility and if you can travel in a seated position
  • How wide the staircase is and if there is headroom if you wanted a standing stairlift
  • How good your hand control is and if you could operate a remote control or key locks. 
  • Whether there are obstructions, like doors, banisters or radiators, which might mean you need a hinged track. 

How do I find stairlift companies near me?

You can search online for local authorised dealers and see if they offer the type of stairlift you require. Otherwise, you can contact stairlift dealers directly and see if they will come out to your home for a fitting. If there is a showroom nearby, it might be a good idea to visit and try out different models.

Have A Free & Impartial Chat With Acorn Stairlifts

 

Would you like some help to understand your stairlift options?

You can contact us in one of 3 ways:

  • Option 1 – Call us directly on – 0333 567 1612
  • Option 2 – Book an appointment directly in the calendar below, and one of the team will call you back at the chosen time
  • Option 3 – Leave us your contact details and we will get in touch

 

Option 1 – Call Acorn Stairlifts Directly

Monday to Thursday – 8am – 7pm

Friday – 8am – 5:30pm

Saturday & Sunday – 9am – 5pm

Option 2 – Book an appointment, in the calendar below, for a Stairlift specialist to call you back when its convenient

Option 3 – Leave your details and Acorn will get in touch

Leave your contact details below and one of the Acorn team will give you a call to discuss your needs.

Please note that all calls are undertaken by Acorn Stairlifts.

Article author

Katy Davies

I am a keen reader and writer and have been helping to write and produce the legal content for the site since the launch.   I studied for a law degree at Manchester University and I use that theoretical experience, as well as my practical experience as a solicitor, to help produce legal content which I hope you find helpful.

Outside of work, I love the snow and am a keen snowboarder.  Most winters you will see me trying to get away for long weekends to the slopes in Switzerland or France.

Email – [email protected]

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More useful information on stairlifts

A Guide To Stairlifts

This article explains all you need to know about buying or renting a stairlift in the UK alongside information on where to find one.

Curved Stairlifts

Not all stairs are straight, so you may need a curved stairlift to go around a landing,  This article explains how you get a curved stairlift.

Stairlift Rental

Renting a stairlift is a popular alternative to purchasing a new stair lift.  This article explains how the rental process works.

Second Hand Stairlifts

Buying a second hand stairlift is much cheaper than buying a new one, especially if you nay not need it for long.  

Reconditioned Stairlifts

A reconditioned stairlift allows you to get an almost new stairlift for a much lower price than a new one.  This article explains how.

Stairlifts For Narrow Stairs

Thos will narrow stairs will need a specialist chair.  However, there are lifts that could work.  Our article explains what you need to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a stairlift?

Stairlifts are chairs powered by batteries to run along a track up and down the stairs. They are used by people with limited mobility so that they can be more independent. Beyond this, there is great variety, and stairlifts can be inside or outdoor models, on straight or curved tracks, and have varying comfort levels.

What is a seated stairlift?

This is where you sit on a swivel seat so you can move from seated to standing up.

What are straight stairlifts?

Straight stairlifts will only go up straight staircases. They are fitted to the stair tread, not the wall, which means there is less redecoration necessary. They are mains powered and often come with battery backups.

What is a curved stairlift?

Curved stairlifts will go around a bend in curved staircases, and can go across landings. They are normally more expensive than a straight stairlift because they have to be made to order to fit your particular stairs. They normally operate on a rail that fits close to the wall, and have rechargeable batteries that charge at the top and bottom of the stairs.

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Would you like to speak to a stairlift expert to better understand what options you have? 

Call now on 0333 567 1603

Would you like some help choosing a stair lift or just want to learn more about your options? If so, call now, leave your details for a call back or book a free consultation.

Call us now

0333 567 1603

All calls are undertaken by Acorn Stairlifts, one of the UK's leading stairlift specialists

Book a free consultation

Leave us your details

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Get free help choosing a Stair Lift

Would you like to speak to a stairlift expert to better understand what options you have? 

Call now on 0333 567 1603

Would you like some help choosing a stair lift or just want to learn more about your options? If so, call now, leave your details for a call back or book a free consultation.

Call us now

0333 567 1603

All calls are undertaken by Acorn Stairlifts, one of the UK's leading stairlift specialists

Book a free consultation

Leave us your details

1

3

2

Get free help choosing a Stair Lift