Dorset & Hampshire Branch: 01202 873730
Head Office: 01249 814528

If getting up and down the stairs is becoming more difficult at home in Southampton, you are not alone. It is something we speak to people about every day, whether it is for themselves, a parent, or someone they care for.
At 1st Choice Stairlifts, we support customers across Southampton and the wider Hampshire area from our Dorset branch in Ferndown. This means you benefit from a team that is close by, with engineers regularly working in Southampton and surrounding areas.
Because we operate from our Dorset branch for this region, we are able to respond quickly to enquiries, whether you need a stairlift urgently or you are just starting to explore your options.
If you would prefer to speak to someone straight away, just give us a call on 01202 873730 and we will talk you through your options.
Every home is different, and the right stairlift depends on your staircase, your needs and what will work best for you long term. We often come across a mix of post-war housing and older Victorian Terraced homes but whatever your home, your staircase configuration or dimensions, we have a stairlift that will fit your home.
We supply and install:
As an independent company, we are not tied to one manufacturer. We recommend from a range of trusted brands to find the right solution for your home and your individual needs.
With our Dorset-based team regularly covering Southampton, we are often able to respond quickly when needed.
If things are urgent, let us know and we will always do our best to prioritise you.
If you are unsure what the right option is, the best place to start is a quick phone call with our team.
We will explain everything clearly, answer your questions and help you understand what might work best in your home.
If you would like to do some research first, you can read our guide on how much a stairlift costs to get a clearer idea before speaking to us.
We also offer a free home survey. One of our surveyors will visit, measure your staircase and provide a clear quote, with no pressure or obligation.
If your stairlift has stopped working, getting it repaired quickly is important.
We carry out stairlift repairs on all major brands, including Stannah, Acorn, Handicare, Platinum, Access and Otolift, even if we did not install it.
You can read more about our stairlift repairs service if you need help quickly.
With engineers working from our Dorset branch, we can often offer same day or next day repairs across Southampton and nearby areas.
We carry a wide range of parts, so many issues can be fixed on the first visit.
If your lift is completely out of action, we will prioritise your call and get to you as quickly as possible.
Ongoing support is just as important as the installation itself.
We offer:
With a dedicated team behind us, you can rely on consistent, long term support when you need it.
British Safety Standards recommend an annual service for every stairlift. Our qualified engineers carry out a thorough 25-point check on every visit — testing all safety features, checking battery condition, and re-tightening any fixings that have worked loose through normal use.
We service most makes and models across Southampton and the surrounding area, including stairlifts we did not originally install. If you hold one of our maintenance contracts, your annual service is included at no extra charge.
Renting a stairlift can be a practical and flexible option, whether short term or long term.
You can read more about our stairlift rental options if you are considering this route.
We take care of installation and ongoing support. When the stairlift is no longer needed, removal is included, so there is nothing for you to worry about.
If you would like to see a stairlift in person before making a decision, you are welcome to visit our showroom in Ferndown, Dorset.
This gives you the opportunity to try different models and speak to our team face to face, which many customers find helpful when deciding what is right for them.
If a stairlift is no longer needed, we can remove it safely and efficiently.
Most removals are completed within around an hour, leaving everything safe and tidy.
Depending on the model and condition, we may be able to buy the stairlift back, or there may be a charge for removal.
If you are applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant in Southampton or the surrounding SO postcode area, we can help guide you through the process.
Depending on your exact location, DFG applications may be managed by different local authorities, including Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Winchester City Council and New Forest District Council.
These applications are typically handled by the council, working with occupational therapists and technical teams to assess what is needed.
We regularly support customers alongside this process, including:
If you are unsure which council applies to your property or how the process works, just give us a call on 01202 873730 and we will talk you through it clearly.
All of our Which Trusted Trader reviews are verified as genuine customers, and we also have a wide range of feedback on Google from people we have helped.
“Quick response and very professional. The engineer explained everything clearly and got everything sorted quickly.”
“Friendly team, no pressure and everything done exactly as promised.”
“Efficient, reliable and easy to deal with. Would definitely recommend.”
You can read more of our customer reviews on our testimonials page.
We are a well established independent company, large enough to provide reliable aftercare, but small enough to treat people as individuals.

If you are looking for a stairlift in Southampton or need help with an existing one, the best thing to do is give us a call today.
Call us on 01202 873730 and speak to our Dorset team, or fill in the form and we will get back to you.
You can meet our team of experts here.
Straight stairlifts are usually available from stock and can often be installed within a few days of your free home survey, sometimes sooner depending on availability. Curved stairlifts are made to measure and typically take 3 to 5 weeks from order to installation. If your situation is urgent, let us know when you call and we will do our best to prioritise you.
Yes. We repair most makes and models regardless of who installed them, including Stannah, Acorn, Handicare, Platinum, Access, and Otolift. Have your stairlift’s make and model to hand when you call and we will confirm whether we cover it. Callout charges start from £145 during office hours.
Yes. We have several stairlift models on display in our Ferndown showroom, including both straight and curved models. Call us on 01202 873730 to arrange a visit, there is no obligation and no pressure.
Straight stairlifts start from around £2,150 new, with reconditioned models available from £1,200. Curved stairlifts start from around £4,500 as the rail is made to measure for your staircase. Rental is also available from £450 installation plus £50 per month for a straight staircase and Curved from £2,000 installation plus £100 per month. We give you a written quote on the spot during a free home survey, so there are no hidden costs.
If you have a long-term or permanent health condition affecting your mobility, you will normally qualify for VAT exemption on your stairlift purchase or rental. This applies wherever you are in the UK. We will confirm your eligibility and handle the paperwork as part of your order. Prices do not include VAT.
We are an independent local company, not a national call centre operation. Our head office is in Calne, Wiltshire, and we have a second branch in Ferndown, Dorset. Our engineers are based locally across the areas we cover. That means when you call us, you are speaking to our own team, and when an engineer comes to your home, they are part of that same team.
25 Harris Road, Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PT
Showroom Open: Mon-Fri 08:30 to 17:00
Emergency Out of Hours Repairs: 365 days a year
Unit E6, 9 Nimrod Way, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Ferndown, Dorset, BH21 7UH
Showroom Open: Mon, Tues, Thurs 08.30 to 15.30, Friday 8:30 -13:00
**Please note we currently install and service stairlifts within our coverage area, click here to see our coverage area