![]() In some areas, the district council makes arrangements to lease new or reconditioned stairlifts, while some hold their own second-hand stock to give or lease. You'll need to discuss the arrangements in your local area with your council, as they vary, but the brands of stairlift are the same ones you'd buy yourself. It's worth looking into whether you might be eligible for a stairlift provided or funded by the council. Be sure to check this, as it can be a costly extra.įind out more about the Disabled Facilities Grant and how you can apply for one Stairlifts from the council If you're provided with a DFG stairlift, it becomes your personal property and you're generally responsible for the servicing and repairs. Start the application by contacting your local authority's social services department to request an assessment, stating that you're experiencing difficulty using your stairs. ĭepending on your income you may be awarded a full grant or a percentage towards the costs. If you live in Scotland, the alternative is a scheme of assistance. If you need to buy a stairlift because you have a chronic illness or other form of disability, and you intend to live in your current property for the next five years, you may be eligible for a means-tested disabled facilities grant to help with the cost.Ī Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) maximum award is £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. But make sure you're clear about whether the quote you're getting includes VAT, so you can compare quotes between companies.įor further details, see the HMRC on VAT exemption. If you're registered disabled or have a chronic health condition, you can claim VAT exemption when buying a stairlift. You would need to be mobile enough to move from one lift to the other, though. If you have a staircase formed of two straight flights of stairs with a landing area in between, it may be cheaper to buy two straight stairlifts instead of a single curved one. The average price paid for a new straight stairlift was £3,371: this increases to an average £4,728 for a curved stairlift.Īs a general rule, every corner in your staircase will double the initial price. Our December 2022 survey of stairlift owners revealed that the average price paid for a new stairlift was £3,867. If you're looking for help getting around outdoors, we've found the best mobility scooters Stairlift pricesĪlthough stairlifts are expensive, the cost of buying and installing one has remained fairly stable for years. ![]() Pros: allow access to a property with steps to the front door or outside spaces such as a gardenĬons: an electricity supply is needed and must meet installation safety requirements These are essentially the same as indoor straight and curved stairlifts, but are made of weather-resistant materials so they can be used outside. Seated stairlifts for straight staircases The latter are the more bespoke, as the stairlift rail has to be made to fit around the shape of your stairs. Types of stairliftĪlthough there are lots of different types of stairlift available, most fall into two main categories: straight and curved. You can ask for an OT assessment by contacting your local council social services department, or privately via the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. For example, you'll need enough mobility to be able to get on and off the seat yourself and dexterity to be able to use the controls and the footrest, although there are some workarounds. If you still have a fair degree of mobility and don't experience pain when climbing the stairs, it may be best to wait before getting a stairlift – in some cases, people’s joints degenerate faster if they're not used regularly.īefore investing, it's a good idea to have an occupational therapy (OT) assessment to make sure the type of stairlift you want will suit you now and in the future. However, they're not right for every condition or lifestyle, and some staircases may not be able to accommodate them. Many people who invest in a stairlift regret not getting one sooner. If you already know what you're looking for, head straight to our best and worst stairlift brands to see which company you should buy from Should you get a stairlift? We also run through stairlift rentals for those of you who only need one for a short period of time, and second-hand stairlifts if you want to save money. We can help you pick the right type, understand what you'll be paying and explain how you might get a free stairlift. If you've been struggling with going up and down the stairs in your home, you may have thought about getting a stairlift, but choosing the right one is not always straightforward.
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