A carpeted staircase with a slim stairlift rail along the treads and a padded seat folded at the bottom

Stairlift installation

A seat that carries someone up and down the stairs on a rail fixed to the treads.

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What this covers

A stairlift is a motorized seat on a rail fastened to the stair treads. Straight stairs take a standard rail; curved or landing stairs take a custom rail measured for the staircase. The installation includes the rail, the seat with belt and controls, a power connection, and adjustments so the seat parks clear of the hallway. The company measures, orders and installs it and shows the user how it works.

When to call

  • A household member who can no longer manage the stairs safely.
  • A bedroom and bathroom on an upper floor with no space to move them down.
  • A recent fall or a diagnosis that makes stairs a risk.

What to expect

  1. MeasureThe staircase is measured and photographed; curved stairs are measured in detail for a custom rail.
  2. ChooseSeat size, controls, folding rail at the bottom if the hall is tight, and power location.
  3. InstallThe rail is fixed to the treads, the unit mounted and powered, and the seat adjusted.
  4. ShowThe user and family are shown how to operate it, including the safety features.

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Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.

Find a certified company

Text 844-7-RESTORECall 844-7-RESTORE

Questions people ask

Does it damage the stairs?

The rail bolts into the treads, which leaves small holes if it is ever removed. Nothing attaches to the wall or the railing.

Will the stairs still be usable on foot?

Yes. The rail and parked seat leave the stairs open for walking. A folding rail keeps the bottom of the stairs clear.

What happens in a power cut?

Stairlifts run on batteries that charge from the outlet, so they keep working for a number of trips without power.

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This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.