Question 1

Do I have to pay for a home survey or quotation?

Accepted Answer

No — our home survey is completely free and comes with no obligation. A local engineer will visit your home, measure your staircase, discuss your needs and give you a clear written quotation on the day.

Question 2

Will I feel under pressure to buy after the survey?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. We are a family-run local business — no call centres, no pushy sales tactics and no obligation to purchase. The survey is purely about giving you honest advice and a fixed written price.

Question 3

How much does a stairlift cost?

Accepted Answer

We keep pricing simple and fixed. A new straight stairlift is £1,995 fully fitted, a reconditioned straight stairlift is £995 fitted, and a curved stairlift is £2,995 fitted. Every price includes the free home survey, installation, handover and a 12-month warranty.

Question 4

What warranty do I get?

Accepted Answer

Every stairlift we install — new or reconditioned — comes with a 12-month warranty covering parts, labour and call-outs. We also include a free service during the first year.

Question 5

How quickly can my stairlift be installed?

Accepted Answer

Straight and reconditioned stairlifts can usually be fitted within 24–48 hours of your survey. Curved stairlifts normally take 1–3 weeks because the rail is made to measure, but we offer an Emergency option that can fit a curved stairlift within 48 hours.

Question 6

What is the difference between a stairlift and a chairlift?

Accepted Answer

They are essentially the same thing. 'Stairlift' is the most common term in the UK for a motorised chair that travels up and down stairs on a rail. 'Chairlift' is sometimes used too, though that word can also mean ski lifts or wheelchair platform lifts.

Question 7

Is the stairlift attached to the stairs or the wall?

Accepted Answer

The rail is attached to the stair treads, not the wall. This means no damage to your plaster, skirting or décor. When the lift is eventually removed, only small screw holes remain in the treads.

Question 8

What if my staircase is narrow?

Accepted Answer

Our stairlifts have a slim rail and a compact carriage. The seat, arms and footrest all fold away neatly when not in use, so the stairs remain fully usable on foot. We can fit stairlifts to the vast majority of staircases — your engineer will confirm at the survey.

Question 9

Can a stairlift go around bends in the stairs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our curved stairlifts use a bespoke rail that is designed and manufactured to follow the exact shape of your staircase — including turns, half-landings and intermediate steps. The rail is made to measure so the fit is precise.

Question 10

How long does installation take and how disruptive is it?

Accepted Answer

A typical straight stairlift takes 2–4 hours to fit. Curved installations usually take half a day. Our engineers use floor protection, work cleanly and remove all packaging before they leave. Your home will be left tidy and the staircase remains usable on foot throughout.

Question 11

Does the stairlift need a power supply or does it run on batteries?

Accepted Answer

Our stairlifts are battery powered, but we need a standard electrical outlet at the top or bottom of the stairs to keep the batteries charged. If you do not have a suitable socket, we can install one as part of the fitting.

Question 12

What happens during a power cut?

Accepted Answer

The stairlift batteries will continue to work during a power cut. A fully charged battery is good for at least 8 return journeys in an average household. If you have a powered swivel seat, you will simply use the manual swivel lever instead.

Question 13

Will my stairlift be noisy?

Accepted Answer

No — modern stairlifts are very quiet. The battery-powered motor produces a low hum similar to a microwave. You will hear a brief beep as the lift starts moving to alert anyone nearby, but during travel the noise is minimal.

Question 14

What safety standards do your stairlifts meet?

Accepted Answer

All stairlifts we supply are manufactured and tested to meet the latest European and British safety standards. They undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety throughout design, manufacture and installation.

Question 15

Can I choose different colours or upholstery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most of our stairlifts come with a choice of upholstery colours and finishes so you can select one that suits your home. Your engineer will show you the available options during the home survey.

Question 16

Do I need a powered swivel seat?

Accepted Answer

A powered swivel is an optional extra that turns the seat to face the landing automatically at the touch of a button. It is helpful if you have limited strength or mobility in your legs, but the manual swivel is easy to use for most people.

Question 17

Is a stairlift easy to operate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every stairlift we fit has simple paddle controls on the armrest — just press and hold in the direction you want to travel. There is also a remote control to call or send the lift, and all controls are designed to be effortless for users with limited hand strength.

Question 18

How fast does a stairlift travel?

Accepted Answer

All domestic stairlifts travel at 0.1 metres per second — a slow, steady and comfortable speed regulated by safety standards. The average straight staircase takes around 40 seconds one way, and a curved staircase around 55 seconds.

Question 19

How much does a stairlift cost to run?

Accepted Answer

Very little. On average a stairlift costs around £20 per year in electricity — roughly 40p per week, which is less than a kettle. The batteries trickle-charge when the lift is parked at its charging point.

Question 20

What warranty comes with my stairlift?

Accepted Answer

Every stairlift we install — whether new or reconditioned — includes a 12-month comprehensive warranty covering parts, labour and call-outs. The first service is also free during that year.

Question 21

What service contracts do you offer after the warranty expires?

Accepted Answer

Before your warranty ends, we will write to you with details of our annual servicing and maintenance packages. These cover routine servicing, priority call-outs and discounted repairs to keep your stairlift running reliably.

Question 22

Will you repair my stairlift if I do not have a service contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We will still respond to breakdowns even if you do not have a service contract. In that case, charges for parts and labour will be advised on site and payable to the engineer at the time.

Question 23

What happens if I no longer need my stairlift?

Accepted Answer

We offer a removal service. When you no longer need the stairlift, we can remove it from your home and dispose of it responsibly in accordance with environmental standards. We can also buy back certain models — contact us for details.

Question 24

Are your stairlifts battery powered?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All modern stairlifts we supply are battery powered and recharge automatically when parked at their charging points. This means they keep working during a power cut. Some very old models were mains powered, but all current lifts use batteries.

Question 25

How do I charge the stairlift battery?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to do anything special. Simply park the stairlift at the top or bottom of the stairs on its charging point and the system will automatically deliver the correct charge to top up the batteries. Do not turn the power off at the socket — this will cause the batteries to deplete and shorten their life.

Question 26

How long does a stairlift battery last?

Accepted Answer

Stairlift batteries typically last between 2 and 5 years depending on usage. If the lift is frequently left off its charging point, battery life will be reduced. Our engineer checks battery condition during every service.

Question 27

When should I replace my stairlift battery?

Accepted Answer

Batteries do not last indefinitely. During routine servicing our engineer will check battery health and condition. When they need replacing, we will notify you and can fit new batteries during the same visit.

Question 28

How do the batteries recharge?

Accepted Answer

Straight stairlifts have continual charging along the rail, so the batteries charge wherever the lift stops. Curved stairlifts have specific charge points on the rail — usually at the top and bottom — and the lift charges automatically when parked there.

Question 29

Is there a risk of the battery catching fire while charging?

Accepted Answer

No. All stairlift batteries we use are certified and meet strict safety requirements. They have flame-retardant cases and are compliant with recognised fire-safety classifications. As long as the lift is left on its charger and the power supply is not turned off, they are completely safe.

Stairlift FAQs

Everything you need to know.

Buying a stairlift

About our stairlifts

Aftercare & servicing

Batteries & power

Ready for a fixed quote?

More answers