--- title: "How to Choose a Stairlift: Complete 2026 Guide | Salford Stairlifts" description: "Step-by-step buyer's guide — stair type, weight, budget, warranty and what to ask installers." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Guides", "item": "/guides" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "How to Choose a Stairlift: Complete 2026 Guide" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the most common mistake?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Buying from a national chain at twice the price for the same lift. Local BHTA installers usually offer the same warranty for 30–50% less." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What questions should I ask the installer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Are you BHTA? Who answers the phone if it breaks? How quickly can you get to me? Is the rail new? 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[Home](/) 2. [Guides](/guides) 3. How to Choose a Stairlift: Complete 2026 Guide Key takeaways - • Step 1: straight or curved - • Step 2: new or reconditioned (budget vs warranty) - • Step 3: weight and seat size - • Step 4: brand and warranty - • Step 5: installer reputation and aftercare Choosing the right stairlift is a five-step decision: stair type, budget vs warranty, user weight, brand, and installer. We walk through each in plain English. ## 1\. Straight or curved? Look at your stairs. Single straight run = straight lift. Any bend = curved lift with custom rail. ## 2\. New or reconditioned? Reconditioned saves ~50% with a 12-month warranty. New costs more but comes with a 2-year warranty and the latest tech. See our comparison guide. ## 3\. Weight and seat width Standard lifts carry up to 19 stone (120kg). Heavy-duty models go to 25 stone (160kg). Bariatric models exist for higher weights — always declare the actual user weight. ## 4\. Brand and features All major brands (Stannah, Acorn, Brooks, Handicare) are reliable. Decide which features matter: powered swivel, folding rail, hinged rail, remote controls. ## 5\. Installer Choose a BHTA member with local reviews. Ask about warranty length, response time and whether they fit and service in-house (we do both). ### Want a fixed written quote? Book a free home survey — a real surveyor, not a salesperson, with a written quote within 24 hours. [Book my free survey](/free-quote) **About this guide.** Written by the Salford Stairlifts engineering team — BHTA-approved, 10+ years fitting stairlifts across Greater Manchester. Last updated 2026. ## Get a free quote We'll call you back within one working hour. Your name \* Phone \* Postcode Email (optional) I'm interested in Not sure yet New Straight Stairlifts Reconditioned Straight Stairlifts Used / Second-Hand Stairlifts New Curved Stairlifts Reconditioned Curved Stairlifts Stairlifts for Narrow Stairs Anything we should know? (optional) Request my free quote No pushy sales calls, ever. Free, no-obligation survey. ## Frequently asked questions ## What's the most common mistake? Buying from a national chain at twice the price for the same lift. Local BHTA installers usually offer the same warranty for 30–50% less. ## What questions should I ask the installer? Are you BHTA? Who answers the phone if it breaks? How quickly can you get to me? Is the rail new? What's the install timeline? ### Nearby areas we cover Same engineers, same prices, same week. - [Stairlifts Salford](/locations/salford) - [Stairlifts Swinton](/locations/swinton) - [Stairlifts Prestwich](/locations/prestwich) - [Stairlifts Cheetham Hill](/locations/cheetham-hill) - [Stairlifts Deansgate](/locations/deansgate) - [Stairlifts Northern Quarter](/locations/northern-quarter) Salford Stairlifts Family-run stairlift specialists. 10+ years fitting new, reconditioned and curved stairlifts across Salford and Greater Manchester. - [07897 037526](tel:07897037526) - [hello@salfordstairlifts.co.uk](mailto:hello@salfordstairlifts.co.uk) - 3 Acton Square, Salford M5 4NY - Mon–Sat 8am–7pm · Emergency callouts 24/7 Stairlifts [New straight](/products/new-straight)[Reconditioned straight](/products/reconditioned-straight)[Used](/products/used-second-hand)[New curved](/products/new-curved)[Reconditioned curved](/products/reconditioned-curved)[Narrow-stairs](/products/narrow-stairs) Service areas [Salford](/locations/salford)[Swinton](/locations/swinton)[Prestwich](/locations/prestwich)[Cheetham Hill](/locations/cheetham-hill)[Deansgate](/locations/deansgate)[Northern Quarter](/locations/northern-quarter)[Eccles](/locations/eccles)[Worsley](/locations/worsley) Help [Installation](/services/installation)[Repairs](/services/repairs)[Servicing](/services/servicing)[Removal](/services/removal)[Free survey](/services/free-home-survey)[FAQs](/faqs)[Contact](/contact) © 2026 Salford Stairlifts. BHTA member. Postcodes served: M3, M5, M6, M7, M8, M25, M27, M28, M30, M44. [Privacy](/privacy)[Terms](/terms) [Call 07897 037526](tel:07897037526)[Free survey](/free-quote)