How much does a home lift cost in the UK - 1st Choice Homelifts

When you are thinking about having a home lift fitted, the most obvious question we get asked is about domestic lift prices “so how much do they cost?”.

The honest answer is: it depends on the type of lift you have fitted, your home and layout and what building works are required to fit one. It will also depend on what model will best suit your requirements. But the good news is that home lifts are far more affordable than most people expect – and often cost much less than moving house from the family home.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

  • Typical home lift costs in the UK
  • What’s included in the price
  • How building works affect cost
  • Ongoing servicing and running costs
  • Grants, VAT relief, and financial help

All in plain English, with no jargon written by our expert with over 30 years of homelift and stairlifts industry experience.

How Much Does a Home Lift Installation Cost? Compact home lifts v’s wheelchair lift models

Stiltz Duo compact home lifts in upstairs position

In the UK, home lift costs typically start from around £13,000, including installation and standard building works (cutting a hole in the ceiling and upstairs floor to make the aperture)

As a general guide:

  • Compact home lifts like the stiltz lifts Duo model range with a small footprint – one or two people standing and Wessex VM through floor lift for one person
    From £13,000
  • Larger or enclosed home lifts – wheelchair users and their carer
    From £16,000+

Stiltz Trio larger enclosed home lift model for wheelchair users and multiple people

The final price depends on the lift type, size, and any additional requirements in your home. A no-obligation free home survey is the only way to get an accurate figure. During the home visit surveyors will assess your home and what building work and model will be required.

These home lifts are primarily residential lifts that help people to travel between floors in their home, normally if they have mobility needs or are looking for an alternative to a stairlift. Some lifts have a fully enclosed model or a half height door like the Stiltz model.

Larger residential elevators or luxury home elevators are much more expensive due to their extra works required, like building a lift shaft, having additional building work and take up a larger footprint. You also require a separate machine room to house the lift operations. These lifts can travel several floors, whereas a typical homelift will only travel to one floor – ground to first floor usually from a downstairs living area to an upstairs bedroom.

How does a home lift like Stiltz lifts compare with stairlifts prices?

A stairlift will help you to climb the stairs if your staircase is causing you a problem. Stairlifts are a lot cheaper than a homelift, but may not be suitable for everyone. Stairlifts typically start from £2200. However if you aren’t able to travel on a stairlift safely or be able to transfer onto the seat or you just want to add a touch of comfort and luxury to your home and don’t like the look of a stairlift then a home lift will be the ideal solution for you.

What Affects the Cost of a Homelift?

Several factors influence the total home lift cost:

1. Type of Home Lift

There are different model types to suit different requirements such as:

  • Compact standing lifts – a small footprint home lift that takes one or two people standing inside it
  • Wheelchair-accessible lifts that take one person, or one person and a carer

2. Size and Capacity

The bigger the lift platform, the higher the cost.
For example:

  • A standing lift costs less than a wheelchair lift
  • A lift designed for a wheelchair user and carer will cost more than one for a single user. There are many platform sizes available to suit different wheelchair sizes, and costs depend on the platform size and model.
  • Some models also offer customisation options to match your design choices for the cabin, so this would be an optional extra if you didn’t want the standard model, which will add to the price.

Do Building Works Increase the Cost?

Cuttin the floor aperture building work for home lift through the floor lift

Standard building works are often included in the cost of a home lift, but some situations can add extra cost onto the price.

Cutting the Floor Aperture (included in the lift cost)

A through-floor lift requires an aperture (the hole the lift travels through). A hole is cut in the ceiling, and in the upstairs floor for the lift to travel through, and reinforcement of the floor would be included. The liner of the lift finishes off the trim around the hole so it looks nice and neat. Occasionally, you may need some redecoration after the lift has been fitted, around the ceiling, which isn’t something that a home lift company would normally do or include; this would be left to the homeowners.

Rerouting Electrics or Pipework (additional costs)

Occasionally, when the floor is opened up, sometimes electrics, plumbing, or heating pipes are found where the lift needs to go. If they need moving, this can add to the cost as unforeseen works.

Electrical Supply (additional costs)

Home lifts need a suitable power supply. If a new socket or dedicated supply is required, this will add to the cost. If your electrics are not up to currrent regulations then additional work will be needed to bring them up to code. If there is a power cut, the lift will always return to the ground floor but will not travel between floors unless you have a UPS uninterruptable power supply unit fitted.

Additional Builders Work (additional costs)

There are different types of work that builders can do, from the straight forward cutting a hole in the floor which requires minimal building work, to the reorganisation of the layout if it’s not a simple job to get the lift to work in it’s surroundings. Most home lifts just require the standard building works but it could be that you want it to be hidden in a cupboard, or walls built around it, or accessways widened to allow wheelchair access. We can do all of these works at an additional cost.

Ongoing Costs: Servicing & Maintenance

Warranty

Most new home lifts include a 12-month warranty, covering:

  • Callouts
  • Repairs
  • Parts

Servicing Costs

A home lift does need regular servicing where the safety features are checked, and the functions such as the doors opening etc. Normally 12 months for a Stiltz home lift or Lifton home lifts, as they are also called. The Wessex range is hydraulic and would normally need a service every 6 months.

  • Annual servicing typically starts from £195 per year
  • Hydraulic lifts need twice-yearly servicing

Can I Get Financial Help With Home Lift Costs for my house?

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

If you have a long-term disability, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council.

A DFG can contribute towards, or sometimes fully cover the cost of a home lift. These grants are means-tested and your needs are assessed by an Occupational Therapist. Often you may qualify for a stairlift, but generally home lifts are provided for wheelchair users unable to do wheelchair transfers so if this isn’t you, you may have to pay for the home lift.

Waiting times can be long, so it’s worth considering private installation alongside grant options.

VAT Relief

Prices given don’t include VAT as normally home lifts are provided where someone has a long term disabling condition, but can be if you want to add a lift to your home for a touch of luxury or futureproofing.

You may qualify for VAT exemption or reduction depending on your circumstances.

  • 0% VAT or zero rated VAT applies if you have a qualifying long-term medical condition/disability
  • 5% VAT if you don’t need a lift because of a long term medical condition but are over 60 you’d pay this rate
  • 20% VAT applies if you don’t fall into the first two categories or are a business.

A simple self declaration VAT exemption form is all you need from your home lift supplier to have your supply zero rated provided you qualify.

Is a Home Lift Worth the Cost?

For many people, a home lift:

  • Avoids the cost and stress of moving house
  • Keeps the whole home accessible
  • Adds long-term value and future-proofing
  • Improves independence and safety

When compared with moving costs, stamp duty, and upheaval, a home lift often makes financial sense.

How Do I Get an Accurate Home Lift Price?

Home lift surveyor meeting customer for a home lift survey

The only way to get an accurate home lift cost is with a home survey.

We’ll:

  • Assess your property
  • Talk through your needs
  • Recommend the right lift
  • Provide a clear, written quotation
  • Explain all building works involved

No pressure. Just honest advice.

Speak to a Home Lift Specialist

If you’d like to discuss your options or understand costs more clearly, we’re always happy to help.

Call 1st Choice Homelifts on 01249 477699
Or get in touch to arrange a free home survey.