Stairlift Installation

How Long It Takes

A straight stairlift is often installed in a couple of hours. A curved stairlift usually takes longer — commonly most of a day — because the bespoke rail is assembled in sections.

The wait beforehand differs more than the fitting itself: straight lifts can often be fitted within days, while curved rails must be manufactured first.

Does It Damage the Stairs?

No. The rail fixes to the stair treads, not the wall, using brackets screwed into the timber. When the lift is eventually removed, the fixings leave small holes in the treads which are easily filled.

Because it fixes to the treads rather than the wall, a stairlift suits almost any construction, including plasterboard walls.

Power and Charging

Stairlifts run on batteries which charge at points on the rail. The charger plugs into a normal socket — no special wiring is needed. The installer will discuss the nearest socket during survey.

Parking the lift at a charging point when not in use keeps the batteries healthy.

After Installation

The engineer will demonstrate the controls, the swivel seat, the belt and the safety features, and should watch the user operate it themselves before leaving.

Ask about the servicing schedule, what to do if it stops working, and the callout number. Keep the paperwork with the warranty details somewhere findable.