Curved stairlifts: Compare costs & prices – Used, New, Rent

The installation of a stair lift is possible on almost all stairs. Whether inside or outside, with curved or straight stairs: There is almost always a solution to problems that arise. In the case of curved stairlifts, the rail is usually made to measure. This ensures that the stairlift fits perfectly to the user and the structural situation of the stairs. However, with the individual adjustments of the stairlift are associated with high costs.

Stairlift comparisonFree & non-binding offers
Get multiple quotes with one request!

Stairlifts allow their users to independently and safely manage steps and height differences. They are thus a great help to be able to participate actively in life again. The installation of a stair lift is almost always possible. This applies to both straight stairs and stairs with a curved course. In the latter case, a curved stairlift is required, for which the guide rail usually has to be custom-made. The costs are therefore higher than for a stairlift for a straight staircase.

Curved stairlifts

Stairlifts are available in a variety of designs to meet the needs of the user and to accommodate the structural features of a property. A simple stair lift designed for a straight staircase is not always appropriate.

PhotosSource: © ThyssenKrupp AG

If a staircase has, a curved stair lift may need to be installed. In some cases, it may also be appropriate to use two used straight stairlifts if the stair bed is very shallow, thus reducing the cost. However, the user would need to be able to get from one lift to the other, sometimes not an easy task. A bridging platform at the top of the stairs is often possible if turning in the stairwell at this point is small. This is a platform that can be folded away when not needed. It allows the user to get onto the landing without the need for a curved stairlift installation.

Curved stairlifts are more expensive to install than straight ones. This is because a custom curved track must be precisely fitted to the staircase, and fitting it means more work for the installer. Optional extras such as a folding rail are recommended because they can be folded out of the way for opening doors. This allows unrestricted movement for other household members.

The need for precise customization of a curved stair lift impacts the installation process and final price. The time between the initial consultation and full installation can be as long as nine weeks due to the more complicated design. However, if you purchase a general reconditioned stairlift instead of a new one, this time frame can be reduced to two weeks or less. These are questions that the customer will need to ask during the initial on-site appointment.

Once everything is decided, the necessary measurements are made and the lift is installed once the custom curved rail is built. Whether new or refurbished, modern curved lifts are extremely reliable. They have simple controls and move silently and smoothly. They also have a backup battery in case of a power outage. Although prices have plummeted in recent years, the average cost of a curved stair lift can be as high as 15,000 €. This is only a rough estimate, as individual requirements determine the exact price. To get an accurate quote, it is best to arrange a consultation with us. Start here.

The price of a stair lift must be weighed against the benefits. The upper floors of a home become accessible again for people with mobility issues, and their quality of life improves. It is also not necessary to wait for helpers or relatives to get to the upper floor. Safety is another important aspect, as a curved stair lift prevents falls and dangerous situations. The safety mechanisms that are standard in today’s lifts are state of the art.

Prices and costs

A curved stair lift allows older people to enjoy a new lease on life. The initial cost depends on many different factors, so depending on the equipment and customization, the lift can be significantly cheaper or more expensive than previously thought.

Factors affecting price

The cost of a curved stair lift is made up of many different factors. Here it depends among other things on which model you choose, which drive is needed and what additional equipment the lift should have.

Furthermore, the price is also calculated according to the height to be overcome and the load capacity. In addition, the lift must be adapted to the structural and personal situation of the customer. Basically, therefore, a curved stair lift is in most cases a custom-made product. So, in summary, the following factors further drive up the overall price:

The above factors thus ensure that manufacturers generally can not give a blanket price information. At the current time, the average price range for a curved stair lift over one floor is around 5,000 to 10,000 €. Used models are already available for less than 3,000 €, but it is important to pay close attention to whether the model is suitable at all. When buying a new curved stair lift, a manufacturer can only provide a cost estimate after an on-site inspection. In addition, you should consider in advance whether the curved stair lift must also have special or adapted equipment. In this way, the manufacturer can provide an offer perfectly tailored to your needs.

Acquisition costs

A curved stair lift allows barrier-free access often without extensive reconstruction of the living environment. It can be installed within a very short time and is cheaper to purchase than conventional elevators. When buying a curved stair lift, you should expect to pay at least 5,000 €. These prices are standard market prices and do not refer to a single manufacturer. In the case of a single-family house with 1 floor and larger conversion costs, prices of up to 15,000 € can quickly arise. If the curved stair lift is installed for a wheelchair user or a person with limited mobility, up to 4,000 € in subsidies can be applied for and claimed from the care insurance if a corresponding degree of care is available.

The price of a curved stair lift depends on various factors, e.g. the load capacity, the course of the stairs, the number of stopping points, the height, the type of drive, the model and the appearance. Stair elevators for outdoor use are understandably more expensive than those for indoor use. The real purchase costs can be determined very accurately by obtaining several cost estimates from different lift manufacturers -and service providers. An incalculable size remains however the costs of the necessary rebuilding measures at the single family house. If larger excavations are necessary at the single-family dwelling, additional costs can develop. Therefore, before buying a curved stair lift, find out about “all” the costs involved and financial subsidies. In addition to the care cost subsidy for measures to improve the individual living environment, the state-subsidized KfW Bank promotes measures to reduce barriers with favorable loans of up to 50,000 €.

Prices and customization options vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. Flat price quotations such as a price per 1 meter height or per stair step do not exist. In general, you can say that the more steps are overcome and the more weight it must transport, the more expensive it is. For each additional meter, you should expect to pay at least 2,000 € more, not including the cost of conversion work.

A curved stair lift that is attached to the outside staircase, has a rail length of around 2 meters, has 2 stopping points, moves via a hydraulic drive and can be used by a wheelchair user should cost at least 8,000 € including installation. The purchase is cost-intensive and should be carefully planned. With a price comparison over welcher-Kurventreppenlift.de much money can be saved. You will receive up to three free and non-binding offers from curved stair lift providers from your region, which you can compare at your leisure and without risk.

Costs for maintenance and servicing

Stairlifts are low-emission, durable, lightweight and space-saving. A curved stair lift only needs to have its oil and seals changed every 5 years. The material required for this is freely available and costs around 100 €. For the professional implementation of the oil -and seal change, one should expect costs of about 500 €. The cost of labor for maintenance is about 1,000 €. As a rule, a partial or full maintenance contract is concluded with the lift manufacturer from whom the stair lift is purchased to cover maintenance for a period of five or ten years. The costs for maintenance, inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment work and the replacement of wear parts are then usually regulated on a flat-rate basis.

Energy costs

The energy costs for a curved stairlift are made up of consumption during travel and standby times. For a curved stairlift in a single-family house with 1,500 trips per year, i.e. approximately 4 trips per day, one should expect energy costs of 200 kWh standby power and 100 kWh travel power. At an electricity price of 0.26 €/kWh, this results in annual costs of approx. 78 €. Platform lifts in single-family homes stand still 99% of the time. The energy costs therefore depend primarily on how much the curved stair lift is used, whether the installed drive is suitable for the particular usage situation and what height the curved stair lift has to overcome. As a rule, more than 50% of the power consumption of stair elevators is consumed in standby (idle) mode. To save energy costs, when buying should make sure that LED lamps are installed instead of halogen or incandescent lamps, and there is a timer function for lighting and electronics.

Consultation when buying

Advice is extremely important when buying a stairlift. The investment in a stairlift must be well planned and considered. The adjustments to one’s own needs and to the structural situation of the stairs are basic requirements for the satisfaction of the customer. Especially in the case of curved stairlifts, which require individual measurements, a lot of time should be planned for the correct consultation. A direct comparison of several suppliers is advisable here in any case.

Stair lifts for curved stairs

Stairlifts are preferred by buyers who have limited mobility but are not dependent on a wheelchair. The user of the stair lift takes a seat on a seat lift model on a type of chair that is attached to a rail via a platform. For straight stairs, this rail is also straight. On curved stairs, the rail must be individually adapted to the course of the stairs. Usually this can only be done by making a rail to measure.

Of course, such a custom-made product incurs high costs. While straight stairlifts are available from around 4,000 €, curved stairlifts cost at least twice that. The exact price, however, depends heavily on the individual requirements and the overall structural situation. Interested parties should therefore seek intensive advice and, at best, obtain several individual quotations in order to compare them.

Platform lifts for curved stairs

Platform lifts are particularly suitable for wheelchair users. The platform of the stair lift can be driven on directly with the wheelchair. This may be done with the help of a ramp. The platform lift is designed in such a way that it can be used by the user alone and without an assistant or operator. This also applies to the design of the curved stair lift.

PhotosSource: ascendor.at | Press image

Platform lifts are significantly more expensive than seat lifts. Even versions for straight stairs cost at least just under 9,000 €. If an adaptation of the rails to the course of the stairs is necessary, the costs increase by at least another 5,000 €. Nevertheless, platform lifts are the first choice for wheelchair users. Lifting platforms are usually ruled out for curved stairs, and stair climbers can only be used with an operator.

Outdoor curved stair lifts

Curved stairlifts are not only offered for indoor use. Many manufacturers also offer their stairlifts for outdoor use. The design of these outdoor lifts is tailored to the specific situation. Thus, weather-resistant materials and appropriate construction ensure reliable operation under all conditions. Even the curved course of a staircase outdoors does not usually prevent the installation of a stair lift.

Buy used or rent?

Many manufacturers also offer the possibility to rent the curved stairlift or pay off monthly by installment. Here it is recommended to compare the prices of the various providers in detail and in peace with each other – this saves money. Furthermore, it can not hurt if you also talk to your bank advisor about a financing model. In some cases, a bank loan may have lower interest rates than a loan through the respective lift manufacturer. In addition, an on-site inspection and estimate should be non-binding and free of charge.

Photos

Stairlifts have a very long service life. With proper maintenance and care, they can remain in use for many years. That is why a lively second-hand market has developed. Buying from a specialist dealer can save up to 50 percent. However, prospective buyers who are dependent on a curved stair lift have bad cards. In the offers of the used dealers one finds almost exclusively models for straight stairs. The reason is the extensive adjustments that are necessary when installing a stairlift on a curved staircase.

Therefore, buying a used curved stair lift is usually not possible because it is not worthwhile for either the supplier or the buyer. The same is true for renting. Basically, renting a stairlift is a favorable alternative if the stairlift is only needed temporarily. Curved stairlifts, however, cannot usually be rented because the rails for straight stairs cannot be used with curved staircases.

Subsidy options

Health insurance companies do not subsidize the purchase of a stair lift. However, a subsidy for the purchase is possible through care insurance. If at least a care degree I is present, up to 4,000 € can be borne by the care insurance. A corresponding application should be made before the purchase. The suppliers of stair lifts usually provide detailed advice on this subject. Especially when purchasing a curved stairlift, which is particularly cost-intensive, the financing plays an important role.

PhotosSource: © ThyssenKrupp AG

However, full financing via the care insurance is virtually impossible. If necessary, however, the personal contribution can be financed via a favorable loan from KfW. This is usually more favorable than financing via the house bank, or via the stairlift provider. At most, the KfW finances conversion measures with a volume of up to 50,000 €. This should be sufficient even for a complex stairlift.