How Long Does it Take to Install a Stairlift?

In many cases, the actual fitting of a stairlift only takes a few hours. If you’re asking how long it takes to install a stairlift because of a recent mobility change, a hospital discharge, or you simply want to plan ahead, the installation time is often shorter than people expect.

For a straightforward straight staircase, installation can be very quick. Stairlift Solutions keeps stock in Northern Ireland, so in some cases we can survey and fit a stairlift within 24 hours.

Curved stairlifts can take longer because the rail has to be prepared for the shape of the staircase, and a custom rail for a non-standard staircase can increase the overall timescale, but the installation itself is still usually completed within a few hours.

This guide explains typical installation times for straight, curved, outdoor and reconditioned stairlifts, what happens during the survey and fitting process, and how lead times can vary depending on several factors, including staircase complexity, the specific model and stock availability.

How Long Does a Straight Stairlift Take to Install?

A straight stairlift is the most common option for homes with a straight staircase, which means it has no landings, bends or turns.

The rail is attached directly to the staircase rather than the wall, with the track assembled and connected to the power supply before the chair and carriage are fitted. Once everything is in place, the engineer tests the lift and shows you how to use it.

Most straight stairlifts can be installed within a few hours. A Brooks 130, for example, will typically take around a couple of hours to fit.

Because Stairlift Solutions keeps stairlifts in stock here in Northern Ireland, we can also move quickly when someone needs a lift urgently.

How Quickly Can a Straight Stairlift Be Fitted After the Survey?

Sometimes within 24 hours.

That depends on the staircase, the model required and current stock, but straight stairlifts generally have much shorter lead times than curved models.

This can be particularly useful after a hospital discharge or when someone’s mobility has changed suddenly.

How Long Does a Curved Stairlift Take?

There are really two different timescales with a curved stairlift: preparing the rail and fitting the lift.

The installation itself can often be completed within a few hours. The longer part is normally getting the right rail ready for the staircase.

Lead times vary considerably by model.

The Brooks 180 uses a modular rail system, which means it can often be fitted within days rather than waiting for a completely bespoke rail to be manufactured.

The Flow X uses a rail made for the staircase. Once that has been produced, installation typically takes a few hours.

For the current Stannah curved range, including the Stannah Siena 260 and Stannah Sadler 260, the typical overall lead time is around two to three weeks.

So there is no single waiting time for every curved stairlift.

What About an Outdoor Stairlift?

An outdoor stairlift is installed in a similar way to a straight indoor stairlift, with the rail fixed to the steps.

The main difference is the equipment itself. Outdoor models are designed to cope with rain, frost, sunlight and changing temperatures.

Installation time depends on the length and layout of the outdoor staircase, but most outdoor stairlifts can be fitted within a few hours to a day.

Do Reconditioned Stairlifts Take Longer to Install?

No, not usually.

A reconditioned stairlift is fully serviced before it is installed again. Stairlift Solutions carries out a full check and test, replaces any parts that are not working properly, including batteries where required, and thoroughly cleans the lift.

Once it arrives at your home, the installation process is much the same as fitting another stairlift of the same type.

A reconditioned straight stairlift can typically be installed within a few hours.

Prices currently start from £995 including installation.

What Happens on Installation Day?

The engineer fits the rail to the staircase, installs the stairlift and carries out the necessary safety checks.

Before leaving, they will also show you how the controls work and make sure you are comfortable using the lift.

You do not normally need to make major alterations to the house beforehand. The rail is fitted to the staircase floor rather than the wall, so installation is relatively straightforward.

It helps to keep the stairs clear before the engineer arrives, particularly of loose rugs, boxes or other items that might get in the way.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

That depends more on the stairlift than the actual fitting time.

For a straight stairlift, the whole process can be very quick. Stairlift Solutions can sometimes survey and install a straight stairlift within 24 hours.

Curved stairlifts vary more. A modular model such as the Brooks 180 can often be ready within days, while bespoke curved models may take longer because the rail has to be made for the staircase.

The fitting itself is usually the quick part.

A Customer Example

One Stairlift Solutions customer, Harry Campbell from Warrenpoint, described how quickly the process moved:

“It’s fantastic to think that just 24 hours ago Michael came to discuss our requirements and now we have a stairlift installed, commissioned and fully operational.”

He also said the installation itself took around two hours and praised the time taken to explain how the lift worked.

Book a Free Home Survey

If you need a stairlift quickly, the best place to start is to book a free home survey and request a free quote or personalised quote.

We can measure the staircase, recommend a suitable model, explain the cost and give you a realistic installation timescale based on the lift you actually need, with ongoing support.

For a straightforward straight staircase, that can sometimes mean having a stairlift fitted the very next day.