Stairlift Prices Ireland – Our Guide To The Cost Of a Stair Lift

Stairlift Price Guide

How much does a stair lift cost?

Now that you should know whether you need a straight or curved stairlift, you can see their relevant prices below.

We’ve broken it down into the two main types of stairlifts and any additional options are listed at the end of this section.

Please Note: All the prices below are subject to 13.5% VAT which be reclaimed from Revenue in most cases, we cover this in the Grants & Rebates section of this article.

Straight Stairlifts

As straight stairlifts are a simpler machine and quicker to install, these are the cheapest type of stair lift out there. These are generally in stock my most good stairlift companies and available within days.

Straight Stairlift Prices:

• New straight stairlifts can cost anywhere from €2100 to €2600 +VAT (Reclaimable)
• Reconditioned (second hand) straight stair lift prices can start from around €1300 +VAT (Non Reclaimable)

These stairlifts come with an array of features like a manual swivel seat, remotes etc. However, there are upgrades you can add which may be needed in various circumstances which we will cover further down this article.

It’s also worth noting that most companies out there include standard installation in these costs.

Curved Stairlifts

Curved stairlifts are more complex and therefore harder to guide on price. So, we’re going to run an example of a standard “typical” curved staircase which includes one turn.

For example, the stairs have a straight run of 10 steps, when reaching the top of them 10 steps, it then turns to the right and then runs another 3 or 4 steps. This would be a typical curved staircase that we see often.

So, from this we’re pricing a curved stairlift with a standard 90 degree turn with the track running alongside the wall side of the stairs.

Curved Stairlift Prices:

• Brand new curved stair lifts with a single 90 degree turn would cost anywhere from €6000 to €8000 +VAT (Reclaimable)
• Second hand or reconditioned curved stair lifts can start from around €4000 +VAT (Non Reclaimable)

It’s worth noting that if there’s multiple turns on the staircase, manufacturers charge around €500 per additional 90 degree turn past the first turn that’s included in the base price.

Additional Options & Upgrades For Stairlifts

Whilst most stairlifts ordered are normally ordered with the standard inclusive options, there’s occasions where additional requirements might need to be added.

Below, we’ve summarized an example of some optional extras that people can add to their stairlift order.

• Automatic Swivel Seat – The seat turns automatically at the top of the stairs rather than the user having to turn the seat around manually. Prices can cost between €400-€700 extra depending on if the lift is new or a reconditioned model.
• Custom Colours – Some stairlift manufacturers can offer options like custom seat and track colours depending on the type of stairlift ordered.
• Folding Hinged Track – This is in case the track would protrude in front of a door or hallway, you can get both the manual and automatic tracks which can cost anywhere from €400 all the way to €1000 extra.
• Extended Warranty – Most companies provide a 2 year warranty on new lifts and 1 year on reconditioned products, but some companies do offer extended warranties which work out around €300 per additional year.

There are even more options available depending on the type of stairlift and what the manufacturer offers at the time of buying the stairlift.

Cost of Maintenance

Stairlifts are mechanical devices with various moving parts. Due to this reason and knowing that people rely on their stairlift, it is advised to service them every year.

The cost of an annual stairlift service can be anywhere from €225 to €300 depending on the company providing the service and what work is needed.

The batteries in a stairlift usually lasts anywhere from 3-4 years depending on the amount of daily use, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. These are usually replaced every 2nd or 3rd annual service.

(We’ve seen both from ourselves and competitors that cost of maintenance has been increasing in the past couple of years due to both the cost of diesel and materials. For example, stairlifts use lead acid batteries which seem to be increasing more and more in price every time we buy them in.)

Grants & Rebates Available

There are grants covered by the local county council available to users on lower income and who pass a means test. The process is slow so it may not suit someone who needs a stairlift in a hurry. The grants can take anywhere from 6-12 months in most cases.

However, there are also VAT rebates available, alongside some tax reclaim benefits too.

We will cover the council grants side of things first in this section and will then move onto the VAT rebates available.

Local Housing Authority Grants

There are two types of grants out there that depend on the value of the product needed, as these grants don’t just cover stairlifts – they cover other adaptations like bathrooms, handrails etc.

Further down is a brief overview of each type of grant available.

Mobility Aids Grant

The Mobility Aids Grant covers up to €6,000 for basic works in your house relating to mobility. This can generally cover 100% of the costs of the works needed and eligible applicants need to have a household income less than €30,000 a year.

Most of the time, stair lift grants would fall under the Mobility Aids scheme as they usually work out lower than the €6,000 threshold.

Housing Adaptation Grant

The Housing Adaptation Grant covers up to €30,000 for works in your house relating to your mobility. This can generally cover 95% of the costs of the works needed and eligible applicants need to have a household income less than €60,000 a year.

This grant is more suitable for people who are either requiring more than just a stairlift or where the cost of the stairlift is going to be above the Mobility Aids Grant threshold.

VAT Refund & Tax Rebates

Any stairlift supplied and installed by a company is charged at 13.5% VAT. For example, when you purchase a new stairlift at €2400+VAT, the total paid is €2710 inclusive of any applicable VAT.

However, in most cases it is very simple to reclaim this as there’s a VAT refund available to users who buy new stairlifts.

VAT Refund (VAT 61A Form)

To qualify for a VAT refund, the user must have a PPS number and a long term illness or disability. The stairlift purchased must be new and not be a second hand or reconditioned product.

The process for applying for a VAT refund is simple. When the stairlift is installed, we supply a VAT 61A form alongside an extra copy of the invoice to send to Revenue.

Simply fill the form out, enclose a copy of the invoice and then send it to Revenue by post.

There’s also an option for submitting this refund online under ROS, in the My Account section. This is all detailed on the VAT 61A form.

Tax Rebates (Medical Expenses)

You can apply for a 20% tax rebate if you’re a tax payer and purchased a stairlift for you or a close family member (eg; mother, son, sister).

Similar to other items like hearing aids and other medical devices, you can also apply for the same refund towards your stairlift.

We recommend the user is provided a written medical recommendation letter for a stairlift by a doctor or qualified medical professional prior to installing the product, as it can provide proof of necessity if this information was ever requested during the claim process.

Conclusion & Additional Resources

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