If you’re considering a stairlift but are worried about the installation and the impact it will have on your home, you’re not alone. 

At Simply Stairlifts, we encounter this anxiety all the time, so we have put together a clear walkthrough of exactly what happens when a stairlift is installed, from the first phone call right through to the moment you or your loved one takes that first independent ride. 

Read on to learn more…

The home survey

Everything begins with a free home visit. One of our team will come out to your property at a time that suits you to take a proper look at your staircase and talk through what you need. We’re looking at a few key things: 

• whether your stairs run in a straight line or have a bend or landing
• the width and angle of the flight
• where the best position for the track will be
• whether there are any features of your home 

We take precise measurements so that your stairlift fits exactly as it should.

This visit is completely free, and there’s no obligation whatsoever. We’ll give you our honest recommendation, answer every question you have, and leave you to think it over in your own time.

Choosing your stairlift

Once you’re happy to go ahead, you’ll have some choices to make, though we’ll guide you through every one of them.

Stairlifts can be customised more than most people realise. Whether you’d prefer a manual or powered swivel seat, a folding footrest, or a perch seat if sitting fully isn’t comfortable. These details matter, and we take the time to make sure your lift is right for you.

We offer both new and reconditioned stairlifts, with prices starting from around £1,200 for a reconditioned straight lift. We’ll always be transparent about what’s available at each price point and what the differences actually mean in practice. If you want to learn more about stairlift costs, we have an article that you can read here.

One note worth knowing is that stairlifts are VAT-exempt for customers with a qualifying disability or long-term health condition. This sometimes catches people by surprise and can make a difference to the final cost. If you would like to know more about funding a stairlift, you can read our article here.

How quickly can it be installed?

Sooner than you might think. A straight stairlift can typically be installed within a day or two of you placing your order, depending on stock and our availability. If you need a curved stairlift requiring a bespoke rail, allow around ten working days.

We know that for many of our customers, speed matters. A health event doesn’t wait for a convenient moment. If your situation is urgent, tell us, and we’ll do everything we can to move quickly.

How to prepare your home for installation day

The good news here is that there isn’t much to do. Stairlift installation is nothing like having a bathroom fitted or an extension built. But a little preparation helps things go smoothly.

Clear the staircase

Have a tidy of the stairs before the engineer arrives. Remove any items stored on the steps, roll back a loose runner if there is one, and make sure the area at the top and bottom of the stairs is clear. The engineer needs safe, unobstructed access throughout, and a clear staircase means a faster, neater job.

The power supply

Your stairlift will need to connect to a standard plug socket near the staircase. In most homes, there’s already one close enough. If not, a qualified electrician can install a spur before our visit. There’s no need for any major electrical work. It really is as simple as plugging in.

What happens on the installation day?

On the day of installation, our team will arrive at a pre-arranged time to install the stairlift, guide you through using it, and answer any questions.

How long will it take?

For a straight stairlift, the installation itself typically takes around two hours. 

A curved stairlift, with its more complex bespoke rail, generally takes between four and six hours depending on the layout. 

Either way, the vast majority of our customers have a fully working stairlift before our engineer leaves. You don’t need to vacate the house. You don’t need to stay out of the way. Life can carry on around the work.

Will stairlift installation damage my home?

The short answer is no.

The track is fixed to the stair treads (the flat part of each step), not to the wall. Your walls and your plasterwork are completely untouched. 

A straight stairlift typically uses around sixteen small wood screws along the length of the staircase to secure the support brackets to the treads. On carpeted stairs, these are barely visible once the job is done.

There’s no drilling into brickwork, no plastering, and no painting over holes. When the job is complete, the only thing you’ll see is the rail and the chair.

And if you ever decide you no longer need the stairlift, removal is equally straightforward. The screws come out, the track lifts away, and on carpeted stairs, any minor indentation left by the weight of the brackets can usually be lifted with a steam cleaner. The staircase is returned to normal with minimal trace.

Wiring and power

Once the track is secured, the engineer will wire the system to a standard wall socket via a spur connection. 

The chair unit itself runs on rechargeable batteries, not mains power directly, and these charge automatically whenever the lift is parked at either end of the rail.

This has a practical benefit that if the power goes out, the stairlift keeps working, provided the batteries are charged. You’re not left stranded mid-staircase during a power cut.

Testing and safety checks

Before the engineer considers the job done, the stairlift is put through its paces thoroughly. This means: 

• ensuring there is smooth travel up and down the full length of the rail
• the obstruction sensors on the footrest and carriage, which stop the lift automatically if anything is in the way, work as intended
• the seatbelt fits and connects correctly
• the swivel mechanism works properly
• the controls on both the armrest and the handheld remote work correctly 

Every safety feature is checked, and nothing is signed off until everything is working exactly as it should.

Demonstration & questions

Once testing is complete, the engineer will take you and anyone else who’ll be using or helping with the lift through a full demonstration. 

This is an important part of the visit, and we give it the time it deserves. You’ll be shown: 

• how to sit comfortably and fasten the seat belt
• how the powered swivel seat rotates you to face away from the stairs before you stand
• how to fold the seat and footrest flat when the lift isn’t in use; 
• how to use the call-and-send remote controls to bring the lift to whichever floor you’re on

Before the engineer arrives, it’s worth jotting down any questions you have. We genuinely mean it when we say there are no silly questions. We’d far rather spend an extra twenty minutes making sure you feel completely confident than leave you with even a flicker of uncertainty. 

This is a piece of equipment you’ll use every single day, you should feel entirely at ease with it.

After installation

In the days and weeks after stairlift installation, your focus will be on getting comfortable with the stairlift. However, there are some things to keep in mind:

Your warranty explained

Every new stairlift we install comes with a comprehensive warranty covering parts and labour, typically for two years from the date of installation. 

Our reconditioned stairlifts come with a one-year warranty. If something goes wrong within that period, you call us and we fix it. No quibbling, no hidden charges.

If you want additional peace of mind beyond the standard warranty period, extended cover is available. Just ask us about this at the time of installation or at any point afterwards.

The 24-hour emergency helpline

At Simply Stairlifts, we offer a 24-hour emergency helpline to our customers.

When you call our emergency line, you’re not going through to a contact centre staffed by someone reading from a script. You’re getting through to a small local team who know your staircase and can talk through minor issues over the phone before sending anyone out.

We’re available around the clock, 365 days a year. Stairlifts don’t break down at convenient times, and we don’t keep convenient hours.

If you are experiencing issues with your stairlift, we have put together a handy troubleshooting guide to help you identify the problem, and whether you need to call our team.

Annual servicing

Think of your stairlift like a car. Even when it’s running perfectly, a regular service keeps it that way. 

We recommend having your stairlift serviced once a year by our qualified engineers. This typically involves checking all moving parts, lubricating the rail, testing every safety mechanism, and making sure the batteries are holding their charge properly.

Annual servicing also keeps your warranty valid and, more importantly, catches small issues before they become bigger ones. The last thing anyone wants is a stairlift that develops a fault on a cold January morning.

At Simply Stairlifts, we service and repair all makes and models of stairlift, not just the ones we’ve installed. If you’ve inherited a stairlift from a previous occupant, or you’re not happy with your current provider’s aftercare, we’re happy to take it on.

Day-to-day care

Stairlifts are low-maintenance by design, but a few simple habits will keep yours in good shape. 

Wipe down the rail periodically to remove dust and grit, as a build-up of debris is the most common cause of a rough or stuttery ride. 

Don’t leave objects on the stairs. The obstruction sensors will stop the lift if they detect something in the way. 

And make a habit of parking the chair at one of the charging points after each use, so the batteries are always ready to go.

Frequently asked questions about stairlift installation

Will installation damage my staircase or walls? 

No. The track is fixed to the stair treads using small wood screws. Your walls and plasterwork are not touched. On carpeted stairs, the fixings are barely visible, and any minor marks left after removal can usually be remedied with a steam cleaner.

Can I still use the stairs during installation? 

The stairs will be in use by the engineer throughout the job, so you’ll want to plan for limited access during that time. For a straight stairlift, this is typically around two hours. If you have any mobility concerns about managing without the stairs during this period, let us know in advance and we’ll work around you.

What if I want to change my carpet after the stairlift is fitted? 

Not a problem at all. We can temporarily lift the rail to allow new carpet to be laid, then refit it once the work is done. It’s a routine job, so just give us a call to arrange it.

Will the stairlift work during a power cut? 

Yes. Because the chair unit runs on rechargeable batteries rather than direct mains power, it will continue to operate during a power cut provided it has been charged. Parking the chair at a charging point after each use ensures it’s always ready.

Can Simply Stairlifts service a stairlift that another company installed? 

Absolutely. We service and repair all makes and models, regardless of who fitted them. If you’re not satisfied with your current aftercare, or if you’ve moved into a home with a stairlift already installed, we’re happy to take it on and make sure it’s in safe, reliable working order.

Ready for your free survey?

If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to come and see you. Our home surveys are completely free, there’s no pressure, and there’s no obligation. We’ll give you our honest advice, show you what’s possible, and let you decide in your own time.

Contact our team today to arrange a free, no-obligation home survey. We cover Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Oxfordshire, Bristol, Bath, and the surrounding area, so if you’re in the South West, there’s a good chance we’re closer than you think.

Contact Simply Stairlifts today

Find out more helpful information about stairlifts on the Simply Stairlifts advice page…

How much does a stairlift cost?| What to look for in a stairlift supplier?| Funding a Stairlift: Everything You Need to Know About Stairlift Grants