Straight vs Curved Stairlift: Cost & Which One You Need
The price gap comes down to how the rail is made, not markup — here's how to tell which one your stairs need.
- Straight stairlift: from £1,995 fitted
- Curved stairlift: from £2,995 fitted
The gap comes down to manufacturing, not markup. A straight stairlift runs on a standard rail cut to your staircase's length. A curved stairlift needs a rail custom-built around every bend, turn or half-landing on your specific staircase — no two are quite the same, which is why it costs more and takes slightly longer to install.
Which type does your staircase need?
Walk to the bottom of your stairs and look up. If it's a single, uninterrupted flight with no turn, you need a straight stairlift. If there's any bend, spiral, winder step, or half-landing anywhere along the run, you'll need a curved one — even if the “curve” is just a single turn near the top or bottom.
Prices where you live
Common questions
- Can a curved stairlift be reconditioned to save money?
- Reconditioned stock is more readily available for straight staircases; curved options depend on what's currently available, since each one is custom-built. Ask at your survey what's in stock.
- Why is curved so much more expensive than straight?
- Every curved rail is measured and manufactured specifically for your staircase — it isn't a stock part, unlike a straight rail.
- What if my staircase has just one small bend?
- Any bend, however small, needs a curved rail — it's the shape of the track that matters, not the number of turns.
Find out which one you need
A free home survey tells you exactly which type your staircase needs, and what it'll cost — no guesswork.