It’s one of the most common questions we get asked, and there’s no single right answer. Whether buying or renting a stairlift makes more sense depends entirely on your circumstances, your priorities, and how long you’re likely to need the lift.
This guide walks through both options honestly, including some of the scenarios we see regularly that might help you recognise your own situation.
What’s the Difference Between Buying and Renting?
When you buy a stairlift, you own it outright. You pay once, it’s yours, and there are no ongoing monthly payments. When you eventually no longer need it, you can have it removed, or look to sell it.
When you rent a stairlift, you pay an installation fee that covers fitting and eventual removal, then a monthly rental that includes servicing and maintenance. The stairlift remains the property of 1st Choice Stairlifts for the duration. When you no longer need it, you call us and we take it away.
Both options get you a working, safe stairlift in your home. The difference is in how you pay for it, what happens at the end, and what’s included along the way.
The Case for Buying
You want to own it outright. Some people simply prefer to own the things in their home rather than pay monthly for them. There’s a straightforward appeal to paying once and being done with it, with no ongoing financial commitment.
You want a new stairlift. Our rental stairlifts come from our reconditioned stock. They’re fully refurbished and tested, but they are previously used models. If you want a brand new stairlift, buying is the route to go.
It works out cheaper long term. If you’re likely to need the stairlift for several years, buying will almost certainly cost less overall than renting over the same period. The monthly rental adds up over time, and at some point it will exceed the purchase price.
You want certainty. Once a stairlift is bought and installed, it’s there for as long as you need it with no monthly payments to think about.
Factor in aftercare costs when buying. Unlike rental, where servicing and maintenance are included in your monthly payment, a purchased stairlift will have ongoing costs to consider. These include an annual service (which we recommend to keep the lift running well and to maintain the warranty), extended warranty options, and the possibility of unforeseen repairs or parts over time. These costs can add up over time, so it’s worth factoring them into your comparison rather than just looking at the purchase price alone.
The Case for Renting
You’re not sure how long you’ll need it. If the need might be temporary, renting means you’re not committed to a large upfront purchase that you may only need for a short time.
You don’t want a large upfront cost. Buying a stairlift typically costs from £2,150 for a straight model. For some people, finding that sum in one go isn’t straightforward. Rental spreads the cost into a known monthly outgoing.
You want the hassle taken out of it. Removal is included in the rental. When you no longer need the lift, we come and take it away. There’s nothing to arrange, nothing to sell, and no cost for the removal.
Servicing and maintenance are included. Your monthly rental covers servicing and maintenance, so there are no unexpected repair bills to factor in.
You’re resistant to the idea of a permanent installation. For some people, particularly where a family member is reluctant to have a stairlift at all, the rental option is an easier conversation. “Let’s just try it and see.” In our experience, once a stairlift is in, people rarely want it taken out — not because they feel stuck with it, but because they realise how much difference it makes.
Scenarios We See Regularly
Short-term need. Someone recovering from a hip replacement or a fall. The stairs are a problem now but won’t be in a few months. Rental is the obvious choice.
Terminal illness. A family gets in touch because a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and needs something in place quickly. Rental means the lift can go in fast and be removed without any fuss when the time comes.
A visiting relative. A family member is coming to stay over Christmas or for a longer visit and can’t manage the stairs. A short-term straight stairlift rental goes in before they arrive and comes out afterwards.
Couples thinking ahead. This one comes up more than you might expect. One partner needs a stairlift now, and they’re thinking about what happens further down the line. Sometimes a couple will choose to buy rather than rent because if one partner passes away, the stairlift is already there for the other one if and when they need it. It’s a practical decision, not a morbid one, and it’s worth thinking about.
Sometimes, though, when a partner passes away the family wants the stairlift removed as quickly as possible because it’s a painful reminder. In those cases, having a rental lift means removal is simple and included. Having a purchased lift means arranging a removal separately.
Worried about resale value. People sometimes assume that when they no longer need a stairlift, they’ll be able to sell it for something close to what they paid. In reality, the resale value of a used stairlift is quite low — typically a few hundred pounds at most. This is worth factoring in when you’re comparing the long-term cost of buying versus renting. Renting removes this uncertainty entirely because removal is built into the agreement.
The Honest Financial Comparison
For a straight stairlift, buying costs from £2,150. Renting costs £450 to get started, then £50 per month.
If you rent for two years, you’ll have paid £450 plus £1,200 in monthly payments, totalling £1,650. In that scenario, renting has cost less than buying.
If you rent for four years, you’ll have paid £450 plus £2,400, totalling £2,850. At that point, buying would have been cheaper.
The crossover point for a straight stairlift is roughly three years. Under three years, renting tends to be better value. Over three years, buying tends to work out cheaper.
For a curved stairlift, buying costs from £4,500 and renting costs £2,000 to get started, then £100 per month. The crossover point is similar.
These are starting prices and every situation is different, but the comparison gives you a useful framework for thinking about it.
What About Resale or Buyback?
If you buy a stairlift and eventually no longer need it, you have a few options. You can arrange for it to be removed and disposed of. You can try to sell it privately. Or you can ask us about a buyback.
It’s worth being realistic about the buyback price. A used stairlift is worth considerably less than a new one. In most cases, a buyback offer will be a few hundred pounds rather than anything approaching what you originally paid. The value drops quickly once a stairlift has been installed and used.
This isn’t something that should put you off buying if buying is the right choice for you. But it’s worth going in with accurate expectations rather than assuming you’ll recover a significant amount of the cost at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from renting to buying?
Yes, that’s something we can discuss. If you start renting and decide you’d rather own the stairlift outright, get in touch and we’ll talk through your options.
Are rental stairlifts as good as new ones?
Our rental stairlifts are reconditioned models, which means they’re previously used lifts that have been fully refurbished and tested before installation. They are not brand new. If having a new stairlift matters to you, buying is the right route.
What happens to a rental stairlift when I no longer need it?
You call us and we come and remove it. The removal is included in your installation fee. There’s nothing extra to arrange and nothing extra to pay.
Is there a minimum rental period?
No. There’s no fixed minimum term. You can have the stairlift for as long or as short a time as you need.
What if I buy a stairlift and then decide I want it removed?
We can arrange removal separately. Unlike a rental, the removal cost is not included in the purchase price, so there would be a charge for this. It’s worth factoring in if you’re comparing the true end-to-end cost of buying versus renting.
Not Sure Which Is Right for You?
The honest answer is that it depends on your situation, and the best way to work it out is to have a conversation with us. We’ll ask you the right questions and give you a straight answer on which option makes more sense for your circumstances, without pushing you towards one or the other.
Give us a call on 01249 814528 or visit our showroom in Calne or Ferndown. A free home survey is always the first step, and we cover a wide area across the South and South West including Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas.
Author & Review
Written by Coral Affleck-Major, Director and Co-Owner of 1st Choice Stairlifts. Coral has worked in the stairlift and home access industry since 1996, helping thousands of customers understand their options and make the right decision for their home.
Technically reviewed by Colin Major, Technical Director and Co-Owner, with experience in stairlift installation, servicing, and technical support since 1987. All advice is based on real-world experience and best practice across a wide range of stairlift installations.
