Choosing a stairlift is not a decision most people make more than once. It matters that you get it right first time – the right model for your staircase, the right configuration for the person using it, and the right company to install and support it. This guide walks through everything you need to consider, honestly and without the sales spin.
The market is full of options, and the larger national companies have big advertising budgets. But the stairlift that works for you is the one that fits your specific staircase, suits the person who will be using it every day, and comes backed by a local team who will still be answering the phone in two years’ time. At Nantwich Stairlifts, that is exactly what we offer – and this guide will help you make a genuinely informed decision regardless of who you ultimately choose.
Start With Your Staircase, Not the Product
The single most important factor in choosing a stairlift is the staircase itself. The type and configuration of your stairs determines which products are compatible, what the installation will involve, and what the whole thing will cost. Everything else – features, upholstery, controls – comes after.
There are four main staircase types, each with different implications:
Straight staircases run in a single uninterrupted line from bottom to top, with no bends, curves or intermediate landings. They are by far the most common type in UK homes and the simplest to fit. A straight stairlift can usually be installed within 24 to 48 hours of a survey being completed, and reconditioned models start from£895 fully fitted.
Curved staircases have one or more bends, turns, or intermediate landings. A curved stairlift requires a bespoke rail manufactured specifically for your staircase – every angle and transition point built to match the survey measurements precisely. This makes curved stairlifts more expensive and the lead time slightly longer (typically five to seven working days from survey to installation), but the result is a product that fits your home exactly. Read more about curved stairlifts on our stairlifts page.
Narrow staircases – common in older terraced homes and some Victorian properties in and around Nantwich – require a slim-line model that folds compactly when not in use. This is not a compromise product. Modern narrow stairlifts are safe, comfortable, and designed specifically for tight spaces. If your staircase has felt like a barrier to getting a stairlift, it is worth having a survey before writing off the idea.
Outdoor staircases – steps leading up to an entrance, down to a garden, or connecting split-level outdoor areas – require a weatherproofed unit. These are less commonly discussed but genuinely useful for people whose main access issue is outside the front door rather than inside the house.
If you are not sure which category your staircase falls into, a free home survey will answer that definitively. The survey is no-obligation – you are not committing to anything by having one done.
New, Reconditioned or Rental?
Once you know what type of stairlift your staircase needs, the next question is whether to buy new, buy reconditioned, or rent. Each option has its place, and the right answer depends on your circumstances rather than a simple price comparison.
New stairlifts offer the full range of models and features, the longest warranties, and the peace of mind of a product that has never been used. They are the right choice if you have specific requirements – a particular weight capacity, a powered swivel seat, bespoke upholstery – or simply want the newest technology. Straight stairlifts start from around £1,950 fully installed.
Reconditioned stairlifts are used units that have been returned, fully serviced, and restored to working order before being reinstalled. At Nantwich Stairlifts, reconditioned straight stairlifts start from £895 fully installed – less than half the price of a new model – and every unit carries a warranty and 24-hour callout cover. For most people on a standard straight staircase, a well-reconditioned unit is indistinguishable in everyday use from a new one. It is worth knowing that reconditioned options are more readily available for straight staircases; curved rails are custom-built and cannot simply be reused.
Stairlift rental is the right route when the need is temporary or uncertain. Post-operative recovery, a defined period of reduced mobility, or genuine uncertainty about long-term needs are all good reasons to rent rather than buy. Our rental service starts from £600 for the first three months (covering supply, installation and removal), then from £50 per month with no long minimum term. Maintenance is included throughout. For tenants in rented properties, a rental stairlift is also often easier to get landlord approval for – the installation is entirely reversible and leaves no permanent change to the property.
If you are weighing up the financial side in detail, the crossover point – where buying becomes cheaper than renting – typically falls around 18 to 24 months of use. Beyond that, ownership is almost always the better financial decision. Our full guide to buying versus renting covers the numbers in detail if you want to work through the comparison properly.
What Features Actually Matter?
Stairlift brochures are full of feature lists. Some of those features genuinely make a difference to daily use; others are selling points that most people never use. Here is an honest assessment of what is worth thinking about.
Powered swivel seat. At the top of the staircase, a powered swivel seat rotates the chair so the user can step off facing away from the stairs rather than sideways. For people with limited hip mobility or balance concerns, this makes a real practical difference to safety and confidence. Worth specifying if there is any doubt.
Seat height and configuration. Standard seat heights suit most people, but if the user is particularly tall, short, or has limited ability to lower themselves into or raise themselves from a seated position, an adjustable or perch-style seat may be more comfortable. Raise this at the survey stage – most ranges offer options.
Weight capacity. Standard stairlifts are typically rated to 120 to 130kg. Heavy-duty models are available for higher capacities. If this is relevant, confirm it explicitly at the survey – do not assume a standard model will be appropriate.
Folding footrest and armrests. These are standard on virtually all modern stairlifts. When folded, they keep the staircase as clear as possible for other household members. This matters particularly on narrower staircases.
Remote controls. Most stairlifts come with two handheld remotes so the lift can be called to either end of the staircase by a carer or family member. This is useful for households where the stairlift user is not always mobile enough to retrieve the lift independently.
Battery operation. Virtually all modern stairlifts run on a rechargeable battery system rather than direct mains power. This means they continue working during a power cut – a genuinely important feature. The battery is kept charged via a strip along the rail connected to a standard socket, and running costs are minimal. According to Which?, a stairlift typically costs less than £10 per year to run in electricity.
Safety sensors. All stairlifts are fitted with sensors that stop the carriage automatically if an obstruction is detected on the rail or stairs. This is not an optional extra – it is a standard safety feature on every model. Under the Equality Act 2010 and relevant building regulations, installers are responsible for ensuring the stairlift maintains adequate clearance on the staircase and that safety systems function correctly.
What to Look For in an Installer
The product matters, but so does the company fitting it. A stairlift is only as good as the installation and the aftercare behind it. A few things worth checking:
Are they local? A local company means a shorter call-out time if something goes wrong, a surveyor who knows the area and the typical housing stock, and a team you can actually reach rather than a national call centre. Nantwich Stairlifts covers Nantwich, Crewe, Wrenbury, Audlem, Bunbury, Tarporley and all CW5 postcodes. For installations across the wider North West, Top Flight Stairlifts UK covers the full region.
Do they offer a no-obligation survey? Any reputable company will survey your home and provide a written quote without requiring any commitment. If a company asks for a deposit before surveying, or applies pressure to sign on the day, that is a warning sign.
Are they BHTA members? The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) operates a code of practice covering sales behaviour, installation standards, and aftercare. Membership is not a guarantee of quality, but it provides a complaints and mediation route if things go wrong.
What does aftercare look like? Ask specifically about call-out response times, annual servicing options, and what happens if the company is sold or changes hands. A 24-hour callout service is the minimum standard you should expect. Nantwich Stairlifts customers have access to 24-hour callout cover on 0800 093 6117 throughout the life of their product.
Do not rely solely on the company’s own testimonials. Check independent reviews on Google and look at Which?’s stairlift buying guide for impartial guidance on what to look for and what red flags to watch out for.
Financial Help Worth Knowing About
Before committing to any purchase, it is worth checking whether financial assistance is available. The Disabled Facilities Grant provides means-tested funding of up to £30,000 in England toward the cost of home adaptations including stairlifts. It is administered by your local council and available to both homeowners and tenants. An NHS occupational therapist referral is usually part of the process.
Stairlifts supplied for people with a disability or chronic illness are also zero-rated for VAT in the UK – a saving of 20% on the purchase price that any reputable installer should apply automatically.
If you are over State Pension age and not already receiving Attendance Allowance, or under State Pension age and not receiving PIP, it is worth checking eligibility before doing anything else. These benefits are not means-tested and can generate enough additional weekly income to make a stairlift comfortably affordable. Our full guide to financial help for stairlifts covers all the main routes in detail.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are based in Nantwich or the CW5 area and are considering a stairlift, the best starting point is a free, no-obligation home survey. There is no pressure, no same-day decision, and no commissioned sales reps – just a straightforward assessment of your staircase and a clear written quote.
Call us on 0800 093 6117 seven days a week, or visit our contact page to request a callback. We cover Nantwich, Crewe, Wrenbury, Audlem, Bunbury, Tarporley and all surrounding CW5 postcodes.