How much does a stair lift cost?

There are five basic types of stair lifts. Each one is designed to work with a certain type of staircase or situation but come at different prices.

Straight stair lift cost: $2,000 - $5,000

A basic, straight stair lift costs between $2,000 and $5,000. A straight chair lift travels in a straight line up a flight of stairs with no landings, bends, or curves to complicate things. It's the simplest and most inexpensive type of stair lift because it's a one-size-fits-all deal, with no customization necessary. If you have straight stairs, you'll want a straight stair lift.

Curved stair lift cost: $7,500 - $10,000

A curved stair lift is more expensive, costing $7,500 to $10,000. A lift for curved stairs is more elaborate and is custom made for your space, with a curved rail that matches the curves of your stairway. It can travel around corners, bends, and changes in the stairs' direction. If you have a curved staircase or one with landings, you'll need one of these.

It also takes longer to install, which means potentially higher costs for a professional installation (which your stair lift company may or may not have already included in the total price).

Outdoor stair lift cost: $5,000

Outdoor stair lifts are rugged enough to withstand the elements and cost an average of $5,000. These are made for outdoor stairs. It can be a straight or curved stair lift, depending on the configuration of your outdoor stairs and rail. They're used for transportation to and from a porch, deck or driveway in places where a wheelchair ramp won't work.

Standing stair lift cost: $3,000 - $5,000

This type of lift is for people who have difficulty getting into and out of a chair because of pain. They can be designed for straight or curved staircases. This type of lift has a platform you can step onto, or an elevated barstool type of seat that's easier to get in and out of. These cost between $3,000 and $5,000.

Platform stair lift cost: $2,000 - $5,000

A platform stair lift costs between $2,000 and $5,000. Platform stair lifts are designed for people in wheelchairs, and stair lift manufacturers make them for both curved and straight stairways.

With this type of lift, a person can roll their wheelchair onto the lift and go upstairs without assistance or getting out of their chair. There are open platform styles with guardrails or sides and closed platform styles that resemble an elevator.

Standard features

Regardless of if you opt for a curved or straight, indoor or outdoor stair lift, almost everyone comes with the following standard features:

• Swivel seats
• Safety belts
• Battery backup (in case of a power outage)
• Flip-up / lift-up footrest
• Folding rails

A swivel seat and belt are essential safety features that help prevent the person from falling out while it's in use. 

The total cost of a new stair lift and installation will depend on how tall your staircase is, the type of stair lift you need, and whether you choose to rent, buy new or buy used.

Number of steps

Standard stair lifts are made for a staircase with 14 steps. If you have more than that, you'll need a longer rail for the chair to run on, which increases the stair lift price.

Electric or battery-powered chair

Battery-powered stair lifts are a little cheaper than electric ones, with a national average cost of $2,000-$3,000 for battery-powered stair lifts, compared to $3,000-$5,000 for electric.

Battery-power stair lifts charge at a base station. If you go with an electric stair lift, you'll also need to hire an electrician to install a standard 110-volt outlet at the top or bottom of the staircase to power the lift.

A licensed electrician, such as Miller's Superior Electric in Owasso, Oklahoma, can add an outlet for $100-$200.

Used or new stair lift

A reconditioned stair lift is typically half the price of a new stair lift. If you buy a pre-owned or reconditioned stair lift from a medical supply outlet, you'll have to pay a professional to install it. Installation averages $1,000-$1,500 on top of the price of the lift.

Rental stair lifts

Some companies rent stair lifts by the month. This is a good solution if you only need the lift temporarily. The national average cost to rent a stair lift is $100-$380 a month. Most companies require a deposit for the equipment and will charge you around $1,000 to install and uninstall the lift.

Weight capacity

Basic and mid-priced stair lifts are rated for a maximum weight of 200 to 300 pounds. If you need a heavy-duty lift with more weight capacity, you'll pay extra for one with a wider seat and more powerful lifting capacity. A heavy-duty stair lift starts at $4,000.

Maintenance and warranties

If you opt for yearly maintenance checks to keep your stair lift safe and in working order, you'll pay about $100-$200 annually. Some stair lift companies sell a yearly maintenance program when you buy a stair lift. This warranty usually requires you to pay an annual fee, which depends on the stair lift model and company.

Note that some stair lift manufacturers, like Handicare, offer a lifetime warranty on some of their models.

A stair lift helps people with limited mobility, such as the elderly or people who use a wheelchair, get up and down stairs safely. Using a rail that lines the side of your stairway, a stair lift will move a chair or platform from the bottom to the top of the stairs and back again.

The National Institute on Aging says 60% of falls happen at home, so a stair lift can eliminate the chances of falling down the stairs. Stair lifts are an essential mobility device for those who want to continue living at home and can pay for themselves by enabling you or your loved one to avoid moving into an assisted living facility.

A stair lift makes an entire home accessible for people who can't walk up and down the stairs and can allow them to live independently in their home.

Installing a stair lift takes three to four hours. Curved lifts are more complicated and will take an entire day. If you're buying an electric lift, you'll also need to call an electrician to install an outlet by the stairs to power it. That will require an additional two hours to complete.

In addition to buying a pre-owned or reconditioned stair lift, you might be able to cut down on costs if you:

• Check if your health insurance covers a stair lift. Some private and long-term health insurance plans help cover the costs of a stair lift. Before you pay out of pocket, call you health insurance provider to see if this is an option.
• Look into Medicare assistance. Medicare generally only covers the cost of a stair lift with an elevating seat, which is viewed as an essential safety feature. However, it's only available in high-end stair chair lifts and the financial assistance Medicare can provide is generally less than the additional cost for this high-end model.
• Ask about financing options. Major stair lift companies like AmeriGlide, Stannah and Handicare, offer financing options to help individuals afford an in-home stair lift installation. While it won't necessarily drop the cost of a stair lift, it can help you pay it off over time with monthly installations, or secure a loan from an outside organization, like the Veteran's Administration.

Before you hire someone for professional installation of your stair lift, consider the following tips:

• Look for a qualified professional. Find a qualified stair lift company with experience in installing stair lifts. Your best bet is a contractor who specializes in mobility issues.
• Look at their past projects. Make sure the pro has experience installing stair lifts.
• Get a free quote. It's good to have an idea of what a stair lift installation costs, but you'll still want to make sure to get an estimate from our contractor before hiring them. Make sure the estimate outlines what's included in their services (installation, electrical work, price of a stair lift, etc.)