You will rarely find a detailed overview of the costs of a stairlift on the providers’ website. This is due on the one hand to the different structural requirements for apartments and houses, and on the other to the personal needs of each user. Since a stairlift is individually tailored to the needs and requirements of its user, the acquisition costs vary. The system for a wheelchair user is different from the technology for people who can sit in a lift independently.
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What does a stairlift cost? You have to expect this price
The price range for the purchase of a stairlift varies depending on the type of lift and the conditions at the installation site.
The following table gives you a first rough overview of the prices. For a more precise cost estimate, it is best to request an individual offer. Don’t forget to compare several offers.
Overview of stairlift costs
| Lift type | Stair shape | Area | Prices / Costs * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat lift | just | Inside | $3,800 to $9,800 |
| Seat lift | curvy | Inside | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| Seat lift | just | Outside | $4,500 to $7,500 |
| Platform lift | just | Inside | $9,000 to $15,000 |
| Platform lift | curvy | Inside | $12,000 to $25,000 |
| Platform lift | just | Outside | $9,000 to $15,000 |
| Platform lift | curvy | Outside | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Lift | Height up to 1.79 meters | inside and outside | $5,700 to $15,000 |
| Lift | Height up to 3.00 meters | inside and outside | from $17,500.- |
These factors determine the cost of a stairlift:
- Model type and reference type
- individual demands and wishes
- individually made rail system
- Location (indoor or outdoor)
Whether premium providers and their carefree service package or small regional providers where you have to take care of a lot yourself after purchasing a lift: The market is diverse and has the respective offer for every customer and their requirements.
It is therefore advisable to compare the offers carefully and to think about alternatives.
Instead of buying a new lift from the manufacturer, you can also buy a used stair lift or use the option of renting a stairlift.
Just have a look at our provider directory. There you will find a selection of providers who sell new products as well as rental offers or used lifts and guarantee quality and safety.
Furthermore, structural conditions play a decisive role in the price. A stairlift for a staircase that leads straight up is a lot cheaper than installing it on a spiral staircase because the rail system is individually adapted.
In general, every situation must be checked individually. It is best to have an expert advise you in advance on the phone about the cost of your stairlift so that you can make an appointment with a service consultant on site.
Furthermore, structural conditions play a decisive role in the price. A stairlift for a staircase that leads straight up is a lot cheaper than installing a spiral staircase. Here every situation has to be examined individually. It is best to have an expert advise you in advance on the phone about the cost of your stairlift so that you can make an appointment with a service consultant on site.
The costs for a stairlift are individual and are made up of the following factors:
- Installation area: inside or outside
- Building type: single-family house, multi-family house, terraced house
- Load capacity: person-specific
- Floor tour: over one or more floors
- Stair types: straight or curvy
- Stairlift condition: new or used
- Purchase period: express delivery or several weeks
- Model selection and equipment: material, design, construction
- Technical functions: operation, security
- Constructional extras: passages available?
- Services provided by the provider or manufacturer
- Maintenance: maintenance contract yes or no
Stairlift costs before installation
The advice on the phone and on-site by stairlift experts is usually free and without obligation. If a provider communicates something else here, please refrain! All major providers always offer comprehensive advice free of charge.
The dimensions of the stairs are always free. The consultant measures all the essential details on site, such as the number of steps, the height of the individual steps, etc., and uses this as a basis to draw up a design that will be sent to you for the final check.
Cost after installation
After the stairlift has been installed and used every day, it should also ensure your transportation to another floor for a long time and, above all, safely.
Regular maintenance and care are indispensable. These should not be undertaken independently but should be carried out by specialists. This ensures that the security services remain guaranteed. In rare cases, repairs can also be made. All of the services mentioned can incur costs.
Therefore, check whether your selected provider is still available for repairs after the purchase. Particularly cheap providers often leave customers alone after installation and no longer carry out any repair or maintenance work.
If your provider offers the option of maintenance, you should consider whether such a maintenance contract is worthwhile for you. By signing a service or maintenance contract, you can avoid nasty or unpleasant surprises. Annual maintenance is usually sufficient for regular operation and use—a yearly contract for the support of a stairlift costs around $200 to $300.
You should pay attention to this when it comes to costs
- Be skeptical about cheap package deals. Only those who know your staircase can make you a realistic offer.
- Pay attention to competent and individual advice. The consultant should take time for you and respond to your needs.
- Talk to the stairlift experts and get advice on health insurance grants or other associations. So the price can often be lower than expected.
( Important: grants must be applied for before purchasing!) - Think about whether a rental model that saves costs is worthwhile for you.
- Check whether a used lift is suitable. These are often cheaper than newly produced lifts.
- Check what the individual providers incur follow-up costs for the maintenance of your stairlift.
- Find out about financing options in good time.
Quick help is essential if your stairlift is damaged or breaks down. Therefore, you should make sure that your provider provides a service technician in your area so that the emergency service is guaranteed at all times. In addition to the costs of repairs, there are usually also costs for the service technicians to travel. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a manufacturer that offers customer service in your area, who will then fix the error within 24 hours.
Warranty services represent a further cost factor. As a rule, providers offer a 2 to 5-year warranty on the lift. However, this depends on the manufacturer, the model and the installation conditions. The best thing to do is to compare several offers and choose the cheapest overall package for yourself!
Subsidies for stairlifts: How to reduce costs
The cost of a stairlift is not insignificant for most people. Therefore, some various organizations and organizations support you with grants and grants to finance a seat, platform, or lift.
However, many of those affected do not even know what financial support options are available and thus miss the opportunity to reduce costs.
From your health insurance / long-term care fund to banks and state funds to a KfW grant: Get an overview of the grant options and check whether financial support is possible in your case.
Buy stairlift – you should pay attention to that
There are two ways of getting your stairlift. Either you compare different providers on the Internet and then let one or more providers make you an offer, or you visit a local stairlift provider.
Both variants have their advantages and disadvantages. On the Internet, you have a more extensive selection of brands and models and can easily make a comprehensive comparison of the stairlift costs. In a local shop, however, you can inspect and try out the stairlifts directly, but mostly only models from one brand. With renowned providers, you can always make an appointment for a test drive online or by telephone.
Important to know: A stairlift is not an off-the-shelf product that you can easily take with you, but a product that is individually made for you. Therefore, an on-site appointment is always necessary, at which a consultant can check your living situation and your requirements. This is the only way to find the right stairlift.
No matter which variant you choose, it is essential first of all to have extensive, professional and, above all, free advice to find precisely the stairlift that meets your requirements.
Payment in installments when buying a stairlift
Once the stairlift has been selected and adapted to your needs, the lift is financed. If you are unable to pay the full price in one fell swoop, there is always the option of paying in installments. It is best to speak to the provider in the consultation about the possible conditions for payment in installments. Make sure that you do not have to pay hidden additional costs by monthly stuttering. With many providers, for example, you can pay off the acquisition costs of the stairlift over several months to one year and thus do not run into a financial bottleneck.
Cost of expanding the stairlift
If the stairlift is no longer required, dismantling is unavoidable. This expansion should be quick, clean, unproblematic and as inexpensive as possible. It is best to arrange for the dismantling by the company from which you purchased the lift.
Before buying, also clarify what costs can arise from a possible expansion. The value of disassembly should not be underestimated due to travel, personnel, transport and disposal costs.
Sell stairlift again
If the lift is no longer needed, the owners or their relatives will come, of course, like to sell it. However, you will usually only get a few hundred dollars back from a provider. At first glance, this may not seem like much, but it is entirely appropriate since the used lifts – in addition to being removed from your home – have to be refurbished and the rails – custom-made for your stairs – are usually no longer reusable.
