The short answer: fitting a straight stairlift takes 2–4 hours, and with a stocked reconditioned lift the whole job — first phone call to riding the lift — can happen by the next working day. Curved stairlifts take longer, but not for the reason people expect. Here is the honest timeline from the family firm that fits them across Liverpool and the North West, so you know exactly what to plan for.
The full timeline, by stairlift type
Reconditioned straight stairlift (Acorn/Brooks 130) — usually next working day
Because we keep reconditioned straight lifts in stock at our Bootle workshop, the timeline is short: call today, and for most straight staircases we aim to fit the next working day. The survey and installation happen in the same visit — we measure, cut the rail to your staircase, fit, test and demonstrate in one appointment. This is the route most families take when someone is coming home from hospital.
Curved stairlift (Stannah 260) — 2–4 weeks
The wait is not the fitting — it is the rail. A curved rail is custom-made to follow every bend of your particular staircase, and that fabrication takes 2–4 weeks after the survey. Once the rail arrives, installation is completed in a single visit, tested and demonstrated the same day.
Brand-new stairlifts — honest answer: it depends on stock
Our brand-new range (the Savaria K2 straight and Handicare 4000 curved) is launching soon. As with any new lift from any supplier, timescales depend on manufacturer stock — we will always give you the realistic date on the phone rather than a hopeful one.
What actually happens on installation day
- Arrival and setup (first half hour). Chris — our owner and the engineer who fits every lift — confirms the survey measurements and protects the working area.
- Fitting the rail (the main job). The rail fixes to your stair treads, never the wall — no structural work, no plaster dust, no redecorating afterwards.
- Mounting and wiring the lift. The carriage goes onto the rail; charge points are positioned so the batteries top up automatically at rest.
- Safety testing. Every function is tested on your staircase: drive, sensors, seatbelt, swivel lock, limits — the same checks our workshop rig runs during reconditioning.
- The demonstration. We show the user and family how everything works and stay until you are confident — this part is never rushed.
Total time on the day for a straight staircase: 2–4 hours. Curved installations usually take a little longer but are still completed in one visit.
What you need to do before we arrive
Almost nothing — that is the point of a professional fit. Clear the stairs of loose items, make sure a normal plug socket is available near the staircase, and have the lift user home if possible for the demonstration. That is it: no builder, no electrician, no prep work.
Why some installations take a little longer
- A hinged rail. Where a doorway sits at the foot of the stairs, a manual folding hinge keeps it clear — a neat piece of extra fitting that can add time on the day, and is always priced into the written quote upfront.
- Removing an old stairlift first. If we are replacing an existing lift, removal happens in the same visit — and if it is a model we buy back, you are paid for it on the day.
- Narrow or steep staircases. Tight flights get extra care over rail positioning — a few unhurried millimetres at fitting time is what keeps the folded lift out of everyone else’s way. Our narrow staircases guide explains what the survey checks.
Even with all three, a straight installation stays a same-visit job. We would rather take an extra half hour than rush the demonstration.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to install a straight stairlift?
2–4 hours on the day. With a stocked reconditioned lift, the whole process from first call to finished installation is usually complete by the next working day.
How long does a curved stairlift take from order to installation?
Allow 2–4 weeks for the custom rail to be made after your survey; the installation itself is then completed, tested and demonstrated in a single visit.
Do I need any building work done first?
No. Stairlift rails fix to the stair treads rather than the wall, so there is no structural work, no mess and nothing to make good afterwards.
Can a stairlift really be fitted before hospital discharge?
Often, yes — for straight staircases with a stocked reconditioned lift we aim for the next working day. Call as soon as you have a discharge date, even a provisional one.
Do I need to be home during installation?
Someone needs to let us in, and ideally the lift user should be there for the demonstration at the end — being shown the lift on your own staircase is worth more than any manual.
Want a date rather than an estimate? Call 0151 314 4884 — tell us your staircase and we will give you the honest timeline, and a fixed written price from £1,100 fully fitted.
Considering a stairlift in Liverpool or Merseyside?
Family-run, 70+ ★ Google reviews, reconditioned from £1,100. Free home survey, 12-month warranty.