We at RampNOW get this question on almost every single day. It’s a valid question of course because it’s usually at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The second question of course being more related to service, warranty, and quality. Remember price isn’t always the best litmus test for a long term investment like a stair lift. You should definitely consider pricing along with the company you will be doing business with long term.

The red flag to avoid are companies that are quick to quote pricing over the phone without even taking the time to understand what you need or being willing to come to your home to work together with you to find the best solution. The main reason being of course that they want to bait you in and then when you inquire about that price you get the response of “oh, yes… that unit is no longer available”. Which is probably the most distasteful thing ever in my opinion because it’s poor business practice.

I would encourage anyone who is seriously looking at getting a stair lift for their home to take the time to have that company come out and work together with you to find the best possible solution.

Average cost of stair lifts by type:

Standard Straight Stair Lifts

Standard straight lifts are stairlifts (or stairway chairs as some people call them) that are designed to be used on a straight stair case. In some situations however, with the right configuration you can incorporate two straight stair chairs on a stair case that has a turn in it.

AVERAGE COST: $3300.00 to $4000.00
RAMPNOW COST: UNDER $3000.00 

Certified Used Stair Lifts

Certified Used Stair Lifts are great options IF they are in fact certified and have gone through the refurbishing process. Always ask the age of a stair lift before buying a used stairglide. There are some companies that will sell you a used stairway chair that is ten years old. That is not a good deal because at that point it may be hard to get parts for the lift. Asking questions to find out as much information as possible will always be a great ally to you when considering this type of stair chair for your home. Also be sure that your certified used lift contains a warranty.

AVERAGE COST: $2500.00 to $3000.00
RAMPNOW COST: UNDER $2300.00

Rental Stair Lifts

Rental Stair Lifts are great options if you only need a stair lift on a short term basis. The only stair lift that companies rent are straight stair lifts. The reason why is because specialty lifts like outdoor stair chairs or high capacity stairway glides are usually on a per order basis. Curved lifts especially are not rent-able as they are built and deigned to be custom to a particular staircase. However, in some situations, two straight lifts can accommodate a staircase with turns.  Something to look out for is going to be hidden costs and conversion rate if you decide to do rent to own. What looks like a really good deal, could cost you a lot more money in the end.

AVERAGE STARTING COST: $200.00 
RAMPNOW STARTING COST: $175.00

Custom Curved Stair Lifts

Custom made curved lifts or stairway chairs with turns in the track are designed to be utilized on a staircase with turns and pie shaped steps. They are also great options on straight stair cases if the person using it has very limited mobility. Keep in mind that anything custom made is automatically going to cost more money than something that is modular, standard, or straight. The main reason why is because curved stairway lifts use a different type of motor drive, the track is custom, and the process is much longer while involving multiple teams of people working on the process of getting it completed.

AVERAGE STARTING COST FOR ALL DEALERS: $9000.00

AVERAGE LEAD TIME AFTER ORDER: 6 to 8 weeks
RAMPNOW LEAD TIME AFTER ORDER: 3 to 4 weeks

Specialty Stair Lifts

Specialty stair lifts are any type of stairlifter that isn’t a standard type. A few for instance are: Stairway Chair for Outside, High Weight Capacity Stairway Glides over 350lbs,  and Powered Stair lift for those with limited mobility. In most cases you don’t need a stair lift with all the bells and whistles. Sales people however will push you towards that very thing. At RampNOW we try to focus on the need and meet that need in a practical / economical way so that you can get exactly what you need.

AVERAGE SPECIALTY STARTING STAIR LIFT COST: $4500.00 + 
RAMPNOW SPECIALTY STARTING STAIR LIFT COST: $3300.00+

In Conclusion

Knowing the average cost of stair lifts is important, but that isn’t where it ends. You should also look into the companies reviews with such sources as: The Better Business Bureau, Google reviews, and Angie’s List. Warranty an service is important to look at as well. Coverage area, number of on call staff, whether or not the prospect company uses sub contractors. At the end of the day there is a lot to consider beyond price.

At RampNOW we strive to meet your needs in three areas: Best Value, Best Service, and the Best Products. If you have more questions or are interested in having us work together with you to find a solution,  Contact us today.