Stairlifts

Every stairlift we fit, with honest pricing

There are only two questions that really decide which stairlift you need. First: is the staircase a single uninterrupted run, or does it turn? A single straight flight takes a straight stairlift — by far the cheapest and quickest install. Anything with a bend, half-landing, intermediate step, or change of direction needs a curved stairlift with a custom-built rail. See our straight vs curved guide if you're not sure.

Second: new or reconditioned? A reconditioned straight is roughly half the price of a brand-new model and goes on the same brand-new rail with the same 12-month parts-and-labour warranty. A new lift comes with a longer manufacturer warranty (typically two years on Stannah, Handicare, Acorn and Brooks) and the latest, quieter motors. For most straight Salford staircases, reconditioned is the smart choice; for curved lifts you'll keep for ten years or more, new often makes more lifetime sense. The full reconditioned vs new comparison walks through the trade-offs.

The big four UK brands — Stannah, Acorn, Brooks and Handicare — are all reliable. Acorn and Brooks are the value picks for straight stairs, with simple fast-fit designs and good parts availability. Stannah sits at the premium end and is widely regarded as the quietest. Handicare is particularly strong for curved installs with tight radii. Because we're an independent BHTA-style fitter, we'll recommend whichever brand actually suits your stairs and budget, not whichever one we get the biggest commission on.

Special cases: narrow Victorian terrace stairs need a slim-fit stairlift, often with a folded footprint as little as 27cm from the wall. Short-term needs (post-surgery recovery, awaiting a council adaptation) are often better served by used models or rental — see our rental vs buying breakdown. Users above 19 stone need a heavy-duty model — covered in the weight limits guide.

Whichever model you choose, the install itself is the same: two engineers, 2–3 hours for straight, half a day for curved, no structural work, no Building Regulations approval needed. Read more about how the installation works, or book a free home survey and we'll do the choosing for you.