Your popular Googled stairlift questions, answered.

Ever googled a question about stairlifts? You're not alone. Google trends reveal that search demand for stairlifts has grown steadily in recent years - and many internet users are researching the cost of stairlift models, along with many other frequently asked questions.

One thing we've done to help is launch our Stairlift Servicing Guide to help you troubleshoot issues at home.  We've also created a Stairlift pricing guide to answer your questions about costs.

But we know there are plenty more questions that customers are taking to Google to answer - so we've teamed up with our resident expert, Paul Marsland, from our innovative demonstration service Stannah Live, to make sure no stairlift question 'stone' is left unturned.

So, read on to resolve your extra stairlift queries…

Is there a difference in cost across stairlift models?

Stairlift prices vary based on your needs and the manufacturer you choose. 

Your stairlift's price is heavily influenced by whether your stairs are straight or curved. On average, stairlifts with straight rails range between £2,000 and £4,000, while an average curved stairlift could cost between £5,000 and £10,000 – although this is dependent on the manufacturer.

Other considerations that can impact price include the length of your staircase, whether the seat is manual or powered, if you wish to go up more than one floor, and whether you want additional features for added comfort.  

Wondering about stairlift costs with installation? Or want to see specifics on different kinds of stair lift costs? We have you covered. Discover our full pricing guide here.

How do I fit a stairlift? 

Installing a stairlift is a complex process that requires a skilled engineer, and installation – when buying a Stannah – is included in the cost you are quoted to

purchase the stairlift and a rail. We do not recommend attempting to fit a stairlift without professional help.   

When an engineer fits a stairlift, they will attach a track on brackets to the wall for support, which keeps the stairlift rails elevated above the stairs. The brackets are attached to the stair treads, with 2 to 5 support screws per bracket. This ensures there is no damage to the banister or walls near your staircase.

Learn more about the stairlift installation process here.

Do stair lifts damage stairs?

We often hear from worried customers wondering "will a stairlift damage my stairs?" - but you need not be concerned. Your stairlift won't damage your stairs - but the stair rail does get bolted into the stair tread, so it will create small holes. When it's time to remove the stairlift, a professional can easily fill these holes in.

Do stair lifts damage walls?

Another question we hear is "will a stairlift damage the walls surrounding it?" - but you don't need to worry here either. Professional installation of your stairlift will not damage the walls of your home, because it only attaches to the stair treads.

Occasionally, an engineer may need to make slight alterations before stair lift installation, such as moving a radiator, but they can arrange for this work to be completed for you, and they will include this within your quotation.

Stair lift installation creates very little mess. What’s more, all our stairlift installers carry a vacuum cleaner to tidy up any mess and leave your home looking exactly how they found it when they arrived.

How long does it take to fit a stair lift?

How long does it take to get a stairlift fitted? Our team have it down to a fine art. When a professional installs a stairlift in your home, this only takes around four hours.

Our professional team will install your stairlift in around four hours.

How do stair lifts work?

All our stairlifts work like this:

1. Stairlifts move up and down your stairs (straight or curved), on a rail fixed to the staircase.
2. It's powered by a motor, which is in turn powered by a rechargeable battery, both of which are in the stairlift base.
3. The gear is turned by the motor. It is connected to a geared strip. The strip is built into the track /rail which the chair travels up and down on. The mechanism is rack and pinion, meaning the circular gear fits to the track and as it rotates it travels in the direction of the rotational force.
4. A simple switch controls the movement. The lift travels in the chosen direction when the rider pushes the switch. The chair will beep and stop automatically when it reaches the end of the track.
5. Our modern stairlifts have remote controls. This makes it even easier to move your stairlift to the correct position or adjust the speed.

Are stairlifts expensive to run? How much energy does a stairlift use?

Do stairlifts use a lot of electricity? You'll be pleased to learn that no, stairlifts don't need much energy to run - as little as 0.024kWh. This is 24 Watts per hour, per journey. For context, a washing machine uses 793 Watts per hour. So, your stairlift uses significantly less electricity than many household appliances.

If you use your stairlift for 4 journeys a day, this is about 35kWh per year. Based on 2024 energy prices, the energy required for this is about £12 per year. So - it's not expensive to run!

Did you know that stairlifts are cheaper to run than a kettle?

How long does it take to charge a stairlift battery?  

The exact time it takes to charge a stairlift battery can vary depending on the model you have at home. However, most stairlift batteries take between 8 to 12 hours to charge fully from 0 battery. We advise you to double check the instructions for your stairlift model or contact us to get an answer for your exact stairlift.

One of the most common reasons stairlifts run out of charge is because they're not parked properly. You should always park your stairlift at the top or bottom of the stairs (you can do this with a remote control) after each trip. This will allow your stairlift to charge, thereby preventing it from being left too long uncharged. More modern stairlifts will alert you with an alarm or light if they need charging.   

When a stairlift is stationary at the bottom or top of the staircase, the battery charges continuously through the power supply. This means you never have to worry about the battery running out and ensures your stairlift is always ready to use.    

Learn more about stairlift batteries here.

How to test stairlift battery?

You can test your stairlift battery with a specialist battery tester. This will determine the power outage (voltage and Amps).

Is your stairlift battery not charging - or does it need a replacement? Find more answers in our FAQs about stairlift batteries here.

Why is my stairlift showing an error code? 

There are various codes, but not all are error codes.

• If you have a curved stairlift, check out our guide on the Stannah 260 fault codes.
• If you have a straight indoors stairlift, use our guide on the Stannah 420 fault codes, or Stannah 600 fault codes
• If you have an outdoor stair lift, use our guide on Stannah 320 fault codes.

These guides will tell you what the codes indicate and any simple fixes.   

How do you reset a stairlift? 

Remove the key switch and reinsert it. The stair lift should start once you press the directional control with the help of the remote control in the direction you wish to travel. While you may be able to solve some issues by consulting your user handbook, you should call your local dealer or provider's customer service if your stairlift stops working.  

If you have any concerns, head to our servicing and aftercare page for more information.

How can I manually move a stairlift? 

For safety purposes, we recommend that you do not attempt to move a stair lift yourself. Let a professionally trained stairlift engineer handle it. Otherwise, you risk voiding your warranty and putting yourself in danger.  

How do I remove a stairlift?   

Removing a stairlift involves several complex steps and should only be done by a qualified engineer or a trained professional from your stairlift provider.  

If you want to remove a stairlift, we are happy to help. Discover more about stairlift removals here.

Our engineers can remove your Stannah stairlift free of charge.

Got more questions?

If you can't find the answer you need, get in touch. We're on hand to answer all your questions about stairlifts, big or small.

For further information and guidance on stairlift installation and maintenance, visit Stannah’s Stairlift Service Guide or FAQs to ensure proper care and upkeep of your stairlift while avoiding unnecessary risks.