Home elevator or stair lift?

Both a stair lift and a home elevator keep every floor of your home within reach. The right choice depends on how you move around today, how you expect that to change, and how much room and budget you have to work with.

The short version

• A stair lift is the simpler, lower-cost option. You ride a seat up the stairs you already have, and it usually installs quickly with no construction.
• A home elevator carries you standing up, or in a wheelchair, between floors. It costs considerably more and needs space, but it can also carry laundry, groceries and a second person.

Space

A stair lift uses your existing staircase and folds away when it is not in use. A home elevator needs its own footprint on each floor. Traditional elevators need a shaft; through-floor models need less building work and can often fit in a closet or the corner of a room.

Installation

Straight stair lifts are often fitted in a single visit, and curved ones once the custom rail has been made. A home elevator usually involves contractors, permits and electrical work, so plan for weeks rather than days.

Cost

Stair lifts are typically the more affordable option, and a straight stair lift is usually the least expensive of all. Home elevators cost significantly more, and the price depends a lot on the type, the number of floors and the building work involved. The only reliable number is a written quote for your home, which is why we connect you with a local installer for a free one.

Everyday use

With a stair lift you sit for the ride and carry little or nothing. With an elevator you can stand, bring a cart of laundry or groceries, and ride with someone else. If you use a wheelchair, or might soon, an elevator or a platform lift is usually the better long-term choice.

Which suits you?

• Choose a stair lift if you can sit and stand on your own, want something fast and affordable, and mainly need to get yourself between two floors.
• Choose a home elevator if you use a wheelchair, want to carry things between floors, or are planning for the long term in a home you love.
• Not sure? Our 60-second quiz asks about your stairs and timeline and points you in the right direction.