While the cost of a curved stair lift can vary depending on the type and the company you buy from, you can expect to pay £4000 and upwards if it is new. The good news is that the running costs of curved stairlifts are low, so once your curved stair lift is installed, you won’t need to pay too much more.
This is more expensive than a straight stairlift, which has an average price of closer to £2000. So you need to be confident that a curved stair lift is right for you before you buy.
Because of their lower prices, if a straight stair lift will work in your home, this is often the best option. But if your staircase is curved, it is likely that you will need a curved stair lift.
The main reason that curved stairlifts tend to have higher prices is that they are frequently bespoke. This means they are made individually to fit your stairs.
It takes time and effort to install to fit each individual staircase, in particular the curved rail. If you can use a curved rail that is pre made, rather than a bespoke one, it will be less expensive.
Many factors influence the price of curved stairlifts. These include the brand, how many corners your staircase has, and whether installation is included.
Generally, the more corners your staircase has, the more money your curved stairlift will cost. But there are exceptions.
To make sure you get the best price for your stairlift, check for any hidden extras. Make sure you are making a fair comparison of prices between companies.
Consider getting a warranty so that you can avoid repair costs in the future. A generous warranty period is an advantage, since you may be expecting to use your staircase lift for more than a year or two.
First, contact some of the leading stairlift companies. Many of them give a phone number on their website and will be happy to give you free advice over the phone.
Talking directly to companies will give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about curved stairlift prices. Some of them may also give information on their websites, but it will probably be less detailed.
However, it is wise to first check some online guides to see the average price for curved stairlifts with various features. Compare prices among leading brands to ensure that you do not pay more than necessary for your stairlift.
Being informed about stair lifts prices first, especially curved stairlifts prices, is not required. But it will give you the upper hand if you need to negotiate.
It is definitely worth attempting to negotiate. An independent survey from Which found that 34% of customers were able to negotiate a lower price. https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/stairlifts/article/best-stairlift-brands/best-stairlift-brands-overview
Always ask for a breakdown of the quote so that you know how much you are paying for the track, the carriage, and the installation. This is a good idea whether you are looking at curved stairlifts or straight stairlifts.
Use a company with a good reputation, with several years of experience building bespoke stairlifts. They should have experience in building curved stairlifts in individual homes, not just straight stairlifts.
It may be tempting to go straight for a known brand name like Stannah or Acorn. But you can also search for smaller firms which may have similar products at lower prices.
If you are worried about the cost of getting a curved stair lift, check whether you are eligible for any help. In some areas, a mobility grant may be available to help with costs.
If you are in the UK, you may be eligible for a disabled facilities grant. This can provide financial help to buy a new stairlift if that helps to ensure you are able to continue living in a home with stairs.
You do not have to be the person who is going to use the stairlift to apply. An application can also be made by a landlord to install a stairlift for a disabled tenant if they require one. However, the person who is going to use the stairlift should be planning to stay in the property for at least five years.
You must make your application for financial help before the work begins. It is no use applying when your stairlift is halfway to being installed.
You might also have to have the property assessed for suitability. Factors such as the age and condition of the property might affect the outcome.
You might not have to pay VAT on the cost of a stairlift – this is called a VAT exemption. Getting a VAT exemption could save you twenty per cent of the cost.
A full VAT exemption is available for people with impaired mobility or who are otherwise disabled. Others may still qualify for a reduction.
See https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants/eligibility for further details.
Acorn and Stannah stairlifts are some of the best-known stairlift ranges. You could consider contacting them first to get an idea of stairlift prices and the range of features available.
Even if you do not end up buying from them, you can benefit from their experience. Their advice can help you work out what model is going to suit you and your stairs.
Arrange for one or two companies to come to your home. Many will give a free assessment of the staircase or staircases you want to install the curved stairlift on.
Many companies will be keen to discuss what you need. They can explain their product range, including the different features of each of their stairlift models.
Please don’t forget to try out the seat, since every stairlift model might be different and suit different people with regard to comfort. The average person will need to get from the bottom to the top of their stairs many times every day, so you will want to ensure that it is a pleasant experience every time.
Note the name of each model you discuss and make a shortlist of your top stair lift choices. Include the price and main features.
Also ask around among your friends and family. It is possible that they also have some experience of stairlifts and can guide you on the benefits of each type.
If you find that more questions come to mind after a home visit, don’t be afraid to follow up with another telephone call. Write down questions as they occur to you so that you don’t forget them.
You might be able to get the direct phone number of the installer who comes to visit you. If so, you will have the advantage of being able to contact someone who is familiar with the details of your installation.
Buying a reconditioned, used stairlift or a second hand stairlift could also be an option if you need to reduce costs, but you need to be very cautious here. Used curved stairlifts may not come with a warranty. You can also look to see if a stairlift rental is possible.
Curved stairlifts are usually custom built to fit each customer’s home. So it may be impossible to find a used curved stair lift that will fit your staircase.
It is a good idea to ask about reconditioned stairlift models the company might have which would fit your stairs. During a home assessment of your staircase is a good time to ask about this.
If you are lucky, there might also be a returned or display stairlift available. This might be almost new, but still sold at a reduced price.
If you are thinking of buying the curved rail and the stairlift carriage separately, make sure that the models are compatible. This is easiest if all the parts come from the same stairlift company since you can contact them with questions about individual products.
As you have probably guessed by now, the process of getting a new or reconditioned curved stairlift can take some time. So it is advisable to start shopping around and asking for advice before the situation becomes urgent.
If you are applying for financial help, remember that it can take some time for your application to be processed. Don’t leave it until the last minute.
It is also worth planning when the installation will take place so that it does not cause disruption at home. It might be best to do this at a time when family members are available to help oversee the process.
Buying a stairlift with a curved track is a little more complex than choosing a straight one, especially if you have narrow stairs, but don’t be daunted by the process. There are many people who can answer your questions and help you find the curved stairlift that will suit you best.
A curved stairlift can bring great improvements to your quality of life, and with the help of this guide to stairlift shopping, you are ready to begin your search. Best of luck in finding an excellent curved stairlift and completing the installation.
