Straight stairlifts
If the stairs run in one line from bottom to top with no landing or turn, a straight stairlift is usually the answer. The rail is cut from stock lengths, so most can be surveyed, ordered and fitted within days rather than weeks.
It is also the cheapest way to make the stairs safe again, and the type you are most likely to find reconditioned or for rent.
- New, fitted
- £2,000 to £4,000Which? average about £3,371
- Reconditioned, fitted
- £1,200 to £2,500
- Fitting time
- About half a dayTypically 3 to 4 hours on site
Is a straight stairlift right for these stairs?
- The stairs go up in one straight flight, with no turn or half landing part way.
- There is room at the top for the person to stand up and step off safely, or space for the rail to carry on a little past the top step.
- There is a plug socket near the top or bottom of the stairs, or one can be added. The lift runs on batteries charged from the mains, so it still works in a power cut.
- The person can sit down and stand up with a little help, and can work a joystick or a button on the arm.
Worth knowing
- Winders (the wedge-shaped steps that turn the stairs at the top or bottom) need a curved rail, even if the rest of the flight is straight.
- Two straight flights joined by a landing can take two straight lifts, one on each flight, but that means moving between chairs halfway. Most families choose one curved lift instead.
What a straight stairlift costs
Typical UK prices with fitting, before any VAT. Most people who need a stairlift because of a long-term illness or disability pay no VAT on it (see the questions below).
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| New straight stairlift Standard seat, manual swivel, two call and send controls, battery backup | £2,000 to £4,000 |
| Reconditioned straight stairlift A used lift refurbished and fitted with new or cut-down rail; usually a shorter warranty | £1,200 to £2,500 |
| Rent a straight stairlift An upfront fitting charge that usually covers removal at the end, then a monthly fee | £350 to £1,500 then from about £40 a month |
| Powered swivel seat Turns the seat at the top so the person faces the landing, not the drop | £300 to £700 |
| Hinged or folding rail For a door or a walkway right by the bottom step | £400 to £900 |
| New socket by the stairs If there is no power point within reach, an electrician adds one | £80 to £200 |
Tell us about the stairs and we will find a stairlift installer who covers your area.
Get stairlift quotesHow a straight stairlift gets fitted
Free survey
The installer visits, measures the length and angle of the stairs, checks the space at the top and bottom, and asks about the person who will use it: height, weight, which side they feel steadier on.
Written price
You receive a written quote with the model, the rail length, any extras, the warranty and what servicing costs after the first year. Ask for it in writing, and take your time.
Fitting
The rail fixes to the treads of the stairs, not the wall, so there is no damage to plaster. A straight lift is normally fitted, tested and ready in about half a day.
Handover
The fitter shows the user, and anyone who helps them, how to use the seat belt, the swivel, the key switch and the call controls, and what to do if it stops.
What changes the price of a straight stairlift
The lift itself is a similar price from one staircase to the next. What moves the figure is how the stairs start and finish. A door right next to the bottom step usually means a hinged rail that folds up out of the way, either by hand or with a motor. A short top landing may call for a powered swivel so the user can turn safely before standing.
Weight matters too. Standard seats carry about 18 to 21 stone; a heavy duty lift for a heavier user costs more and needs a slightly wider stair. And a lift with a slim, perch-style seat for someone who struggles to bend their knees is priced differently again.
Finally, brand and dealer. National makers sell direct and often price higher than an independent dealer fitting the same type of lift, but they also tend to have engineers closer to hand. Ask each firm how quickly they come out to a breakdown.
What to check in the quote
- The make and model, and whether the lift is new or reconditioned.
- The warranty in months, what it covers (parts, labour, call-outs) and whether the first service is included.
- The price of an annual service after the warranty ends, and the call-out charge for a breakdown.
- Whether VAT relief has been applied, if the user is eligible.
- Whether the firm will buy the lift back or remove it free when it is no longer needed.
Questions families ask
How much is a straight stairlift in the UK?
Most new straight stairlifts cost £2,000 to £4,000 fitted, and Which? puts the average at about £3,371. A reconditioned one is roughly £1,200 to £2,500. Our stairlift cost calculator shows a range for your stairs.
How long does it take to fit a straight stairlift?
Usually about half a day once the lift has arrived. Because straight rails are cut from stock, many firms can fit within a week or two of the survey, and some within days.
Will a stairlift damage the stairs or the wall?
No. The rail is fixed to the treads with brackets, not to the wall. When a lift is taken out the screw holes in the treads are small and are usually hidden by the carpet.
Do I have to pay VAT on a stairlift?
Not if the user is chronically sick or disabled and it is for their home. HMRC allows zero-rating for them, and the user (or someone on their behalf) signs a short declaration. People aged 60 or over can get a reduced rate on supply and fitting. See VAT Notice 701/7.
Can a straight stairlift be fitted on narrow stairs?
Often, yes. Many slim straight lifts fold to around a foot from the wall. The installer checks that there is still room for others to use the stairs and for the user’s knees on the way up. Very narrow stairs may suit a standing or perch seat.
What happens in a power cut?
The lift runs on batteries that charge from the mains, so it keeps working for a number of trips in a power cut. The batteries do wear out and are usually replaced every few years.
Keep reading
- Curved stairlifts
For stairs with a bend, landing or winders
- Reconditioned stairlifts
Used lifts, refurbished and fitted for less
- Stairlift cost calculator
A price range for your stairs in a minute
- Stairlift grants
Council help through the Disabled Facilities Grant
Where our information comes from
Price ranges are our own reading of Which? consumer research and published UK price guides, checked November 2026. We do not link to firms that sell stairlifts.
Get quotes for a straight stairlift
Three short steps: where the stairs are, what they are like, and how to reach you. About two minutes. You can fill it in for a parent or relative.
- We look for a stairlift installer who covers your area and fits your kind of stairs.
- We tell you who it is. Your details reach them only if you say yes.
- They survey the stairs, free, and give you a written price.
Nobody contacts you until you say yes, and you can stop at any point.
Thank you, your enquiry is in.
- We will email or phone to tell you which stairlift installer covers your area.
- Your details go to that firm only if you say yes.
- They arrange a survey of the stairs and give you a written price. No marketing from us, ever.