Stair lift cost in the US (2026) and who may help pay

Quick answer

Stair lift makers publish US prices. Stannah’s start at $4,700 for a straight lift, $6,300 for an outdoor lift and $10,800 for a curved one, with installation included [1]. Bruno says base straight lifts usually start around $4,000, and curved lifts with a turn around $13,000 [2]. Savaria’s guide puts straight lifts at $3,300 to $5,000 and curved ones at $10,000 to $25,000 [3]. Original Medicare doesn’t pay: its equipment list denies stairway elevators [4]. Help may come from a state Medicaid waiver, the VA, a USDA rural repair grant, your Area Agency on Aging or the IRS medical expense deduction. Ask a program before you buy.

Stair lift prices in the US at a glance

All prices on this page are in US dollars.

Stannah says its quote includes installation, the warranty and the options you agree on, and that its prices are subject to change [1]. Bruno says power options, custom work and installation add to the cost, and that some states require a permit [2]. Savaria says its figures are average prices, and that they vary with where you live, labor costs, inspections and upgrades [3]. Compare written quotes from more than one seller.

Where to buy a stair lift in the US

Stair lifts are sold with installation. A seller visits to measure your stairs, then gives you a quote [1] [13] [2]. Stannah sells directly and through distributors [1]. Acorn makes, installs and services its own lifts [13]. Bruno, Harmar and Savaria sell through local dealers [2] [23] [19].

The tables list current models whose makers publish the weight limit on their US pages. The figures are the makers’. We haven’t tested these lifts, and the makers don’t publish a price for each model.

Questions to ask when you get stair lift quotes

From simpleaging.com. This checklist is general information, not medical advice.

Take this list to each home visit. Get the answers in writing, with the quote.

Before anyone visits

• Ask an occupational therapist or physical therapist whether a stair lift suits the person, and which features they need.
• If a program may help pay, ask what it needs before you buy, such as a prescription, a care plan or its approval [27].

The quote

• It’s in writing and based on a visit to measure your stairs.
• It names the model, the rail length and every option, and says whether installation, permits and sales tax are included [1] [2].
• It gives the maker’s weight limit for the seat and options you’re buying. Some options lower it [17].
• It says how long you’ll wait for installation.

Warranty and service

• How long the warranty lasts, and whether it covers labor or only parts [23] [17].
• Whether it depends on a yearly service, and what that costs [12].
• How often the batteries need replacing, and what they cost [23].
• Whether the warranty is the maker’s or the dealer’s [7].

Later on

• What removal costs, and whether the company buys back lifts [38].
• Whether you can rent, or buy a reconditioned lift, and on what terms [5] [6].

How a stair lift works

A stair lift is a motor-driven chair that rides along a rail fixed to the steps [3] [10]. You move it with a control on the armrest [3]. Remote controls call it to the top or the bottom [1] [17]. At the top, the seat swivels so you get off facing the landing, not the stairs [3]. The makers in our tables say their lifts run on batteries, so they keep working for several trips in a power cut [1] [2] [20].

In the US, the safety standard for stair lifts is ASME A18.1. It covers their design, installation, inspection, maintenance and repair, for lifts that carry a person with limited mobility, typically in homes [24]. Bruno says some states require a permit [2]. Harmar says stairs steeper than 45° may need local approval [20]. Ask the installer whether your state or city needs a permit or an inspection, and whether the quote includes it.

Savaria says a stair lift isn’t an ideal choice for someone who uses a wheelchair or soon will, because they must move onto the seat at both ends [3]. Its guide puts inclined platform lifts, which carry a wheelchair, at $20,000 to $30,000 over straight stairs [3].

What changes the price

The shape and length of your stairs

Stannah says the type of staircase is the main driver of cost. Straight stairs use a standard rail cut to length, while stairs that turn need a custom curved rail. A longer flight costs more; most are 12 to 15 steps [1]. Stannah says its stair lifts average about $8,000 [1]. Bruno says the simplest curved lifts start at $10,000, and most custom ones with a bend around $13,000 [2].

Doorways and parking

The rail runs past the top and bottom steps. If a doorway is there, a rail that folds, hinges or retracts can keep it clear [3] [10] [1]. Stannah says a retracting rail and a powered swivel seat are the options that most often add to its prices. An extra length of rail, so the chair can park around a corner, also adds to the cost [1].

Seat and footrest options

Extras include a power swivel seat, a power footrest, a larger seat and a five-point harness [14] [15] [18]. Stannah says a typical straight lift costs about $5,700, and that many buyers choose options that put theirs at $5,700 to $6,200 [1].

Weight limit

The makers’ limits in our tables run from 250 to 600 lb. Heavy-duty versions, like Acorn’s HD model or Harmar’s SL600HD, carry more weight [9] [20]. Some options and longer rails lower the limit. On the Savaria K2 Plus (opens in a new tab), the flip-up rail drops it to 300 lb [17]. On the Harmar SL350OD (opens in a new tab), rails over 15 ft 9 in drop it to 250 lb [22].

Installation

Dealers set their own installation prices, and the price may be included in the quote. Bruno says a straight lift generally takes 2 to 4 hours to install and a curved one 4 to 8 hours. It says most dealers keep straight indoor lifts in stock and can install them on short notice [2].

Warranty and upkeep

Warranties differ a lot:

• Stannah covers the motor gearbox for life on new lifts bought directly from it, with 2 years on parts and 1 year on labor. It says to ask distributors about their own warranty [1] [7].
• Acorn covers the motor and gearbox for as long as the first owner has the lift, if an Acorn engineer services it every year [12].
• Bruno gives a limited lifetime warranty on its indoor lifts and 5 years on its outdoor one [14] [16].
• Harmar covers parts for 2 or 3 years, depending on the model, and batteries for 1 year. Its warranty doesn’t cover labor, and dealers may charge for labor and travel [20] [21] [23].
• Savaria gives 36 months on parts, through the dealer [17].

Plan for upkeep too. Harmar’s manual says the lift should be inspected every year and its batteries replaced every 1 to 2 years on average [23]. Acorn recommends a service every 12 months [12].

New, reconditioned or rented

Reconditioned. Stannah says a reconditioned lift typically costs about 80% of a new one. On its prices for a typical straight lift, that’s about $4,560 to $4,960 (our calculation). Straight rails, chairs and carriages are refurbished, but a curved lift needs a new rail, so the saving is smaller [1]. Its reconditioned lifts (opens in a new tab) get new batteries and a 10-year warranty on the motor gearbox, with 1 year on parts [6] and 1 year on labor [1].

Rented. Stannah says renting could cost the least if you need a lift for only 3 to 6 months [1]. Its US rental (opens in a new tab) starts with one payment that covers the first 6 months (3 months in Pennsylvania), installation, service and removal. After that, you can rent month to month, buy the lift for the remaining balance, or have it removed for free. Monthly payments after the first 6 months don’t count toward buying it, and the first payment isn’t refundable [5]. Stannah rents directly on the East and West Coasts [5]. Bruno says local dealers typically offer rentals [2]. Our guide to renting or buying a reconditioned stair lift explains how to compare them. Its prices are Canadian.

Removal and moving

If you buy a lift, you may be charged to have it removed later [5]. Stannah charges a removal fee, and says a lift will likely need to be replaced or adjusted to fit the stairs in a new home. It has a buyback policy; ask your local Stannah office [38]. Bruno says a straight lift is more likely to fit another home, if the rail is long enough. It says a curved lift would be extremely rare to reuse on another staircase [2].

Who may help pay for a stair lift

Each program has its own rules. A deduction doesn’t lower the price you pay the seller; it may lower your tax later. Our US funding guide covers these programs for other home changes too.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare doesn’t pay for stair lifts. Its equipment reference list says to deny “stairway elevators,” the same as elevators, which it calls a convenience item, “not primarily medical in nature” [4]. Stannah and Bruno say Medicare generally doesn’t pay for stair lifts [1] [2]. Seat lifts, the lifting part of a lift chair, are partly covered under strict rules [4]; our lift chair guide explains them.

Medicare Advantage extra benefits

Medicare Advantage plans can offer a “Home & Bathroom Safety Devices & Modifications” benefit. CMS’s examples are smaller items, such as stair rails, grab bars and stair treads, and the benefit can’t pay for capital or structural changes to the home [25]. Since 2020, plans can also offer structural home changes to members with chronic illnesses, if the change can be expected to help their health or function. CMS’s examples are wider hallways and doorways and permanent ramps [26]. Neither list names stair lifts. Plans choose what they offer, so ask yours whether it covers a stair lift and what it needs first.

Medicaid home and community-based services waivers

Nearly all states and DC run these waivers. They’re for people who need the level of care given in an institution, such as a nursing home, and the services must follow a care plan. States decide how many people each waiver serves [27]. CMS’s model definition of “home accessibility adaptations” covers ramps, grab bars, wider doorways, bathroom changes and wiring or plumbing for medical equipment. It doesn’t name stair lifts, but states can add to the list or write their own [28]. So whether a waiver covers a stair lift depends on your state. Ask your state Medicaid office or your Area Agency on Aging.

VA help for veterans

Through VA Prosthetics. The VA’s Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant doesn’t pay for stair glides [29]. The VA’s HISA rules say medical equipment for the home, including stair glides and porch lifts, should be bought with the Prosthetic Service’s own funds, not HISA [30]. So a veteran who needs a stair lift can ask the local VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service how to get one as medical equipment [29].

Disability housing grants. Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities may get a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant. For fiscal year 2026, SAH grants went up to $126,526 and SHA grants up to $25,350. The money can be used up to 6 times over a lifetime [31]. The VA may adjust the amounts each year, and on October 23, 2026, its page still showed the 2026 figures [31]. Ask whether a stair lift can be part of your project.

USDA home repair grants and loans (rural areas)

USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 program serves homeowners in eligible rural areas who live in the home and can’t get affordable credit elsewhere. Grants are for people 62 or older with very low household income. They go up to $10,000 over a lifetime and must be repaid if you sell within 3 years. Loans go up to $40,000, at a fixed 1% for 20 years, and the two can be combined for up to $50,000 [32]. The program’s rules let grants pay to make a home “accessible and useable for household members with disabilities” [33]. Ask your local Rural Development office whether a stair lift qualifies. It takes applications all year [32].

Your Area Agency on Aging

The government’s long-term care site lists stairway chair lifts among typical home changes. If you’re 60 or older, your local Area Agency on Aging may have home modification and repair funds from the Older Americans Act. Some states and towns also offer low-interest loans or grants [34]. The Eldercare Locator connects you with your local agency: call 1-800-677-1116 [35].

The IRS medical expense deduction

The IRS lets you count special equipment installed in a home, if its main purpose is medical care for you, your spouse or a dependent. It lists changes made for a disability that usually don’t raise a home’s value, so their full cost can count. The list includes “Installing porch lifts and other forms of lifts.” Elevators, it says, generally do add value. Only reasonable costs count, not extras for looks. The cost of running and maintaining the lift counts too, if its main purpose is medical care [36].

You deduct only the part of your medical costs above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, and only if you itemize [36]. Itemizing helps only when your itemized deductions add up to more than your standard deduction. For 2026, that’s $18,150 for a single person 65 or older, and $35,500 for a married couple filing jointly who are both 65 or older (our calculation from the IRS figures) [37]. Our IRS medical expense deduction calculator works through it with your own numbers.

Paying over time

Stannah offers payment options for buying and renting, and says it can help you look into grants and insurance [1]. Bruno says most makers don’t finance directly, but many dealers offer financing, rentals or rent-to-own [2]. Read the terms before you sign, including the interest rate and what happens if you no longer need the lift.

Questions to ask

An occupational therapist, physical therapist or doctor

• Is a stair lift the right choice here, or would something else suit better, like a second handrail or a bedroom on the main floor? Our guide to preparing a home after a hospital stay has a room-by-room checklist.
• Can the person get on and off the seat safely at the top and the bottom?
• Which features matter: a power swivel, the seat height, a harness?
• Is a wheelchair likely soon? Savaria says a stair lift isn’t ideal then [3].
• Can you write the prescription, letter or care plan a program needs?

A program or your health plan

• Does it cover a stair lift? A curved one?
• What do you need before I buy: a prescription, an assessment, a quote or your approval?
• Do I have to use your suppliers or contractors?
• Is it a grant or a loan, and do I repay it if I sell the home?

The seller or installer

• Is this model built to ASME A18.1? Harmar and Acorn list it for theirs [20] [11].
• Does my state or city need a permit or inspection, and is it in the quote?
• What should we do if the lift stops partway up?
• Who services it, how soon can they come, and is there a call-out fee?

Safety notes and when to talk to a professional

Sit properly and buckle up. Harmar’s manual says to always sit in the center of the seat with the seat belt fastened, never to ride standing up, and not to carry pets or children on your lap. Keep your hands and feet inside the chair while it moves [23].

Keep the rail clear. Clear anything off the rail before you ride. The lift is for carrying people within its weight limit, not things. Children shouldn’t operate it or play around it [23].

Leave repairs to a technician. Don’t service the lift yourself or turn off its safety switches. Harmar’s manual asks owners to keep a log of all service and maintenance, as the ASME A18.1 standard requires [23].

Plan for a breakdown. Harmar’s manual describes a manual tool another person can use to move a stopped lift to a landing [23]. Ask the installer what to do if the lift stops partway, and keep a phone within reach.

Mind the weight limit. The makers’ limits in our tables run from 250 to 600 lb. The limit should be above the rider’s weight, for the seat, rail and options you choose.

Be careful buying privately. Stannah says a lift bought from a private seller may have worn batteries, motors or safety sensors, may be near the end of its life, and may come without a warranty [6].

Others still use the stairs. Our home safety checklist and our guide to making stairs safer cover handrails, lighting and non-slip stair treads (opens in a new tab).

When to talk to a professional. If someone has fallen, feels unsteady or worries about falling, talk to a doctor. A doctor can look for causes and may refer the person to a physical therapist or occupational therapist. An occupational therapist can watch how a person manages the stairs and gets on and off a seat, and say whether a stair lift or another change suits them.

Buying in Canada? See our Canadian stair lift cost guide for Canadian prices and the provincial programs.