This page answers the questions families ask first about stair lifts and home lifts in South Africa, with a source where there is one and a plain "we could not confirm this" where there isn't. For the full picture, each answer points to the page that covers it. Sending a request is free and commits you to nothing.
Cost
How much does a stair lift cost? One supplier publishes new straight stair lifts at R45,000 to R70,000 and curved or outdoor ones at R55,000 to R95,000, and says they are supplied and professionally installed without itemising what is included or whether VAT is. Your price is confirmed after a look at the stairs. See the stair lift cost guide.
How much does a home lift cost? No South African installer we found publishes a price, and we found no dependable South African installed range. See the home lift cost guide for the overseas marketing figures and their limits.
Is there tax relief? SARS has listed lifts and stair chairs for people with a physical disability as qualifying disability expenditure. Whether it applies to you depends on your situation and the current rules, so check current SARS guidance.
Fitting a lift
Does a stair lift need building work? Suppliers say it doesn't. The rail is fixed to the treads, not the wall. See stair lifts.
Does a home lift need a shaft? Some freestanding models say they need no shaft, pit or motor room. Enclosed platform lifts do. See home lifts.
Can my home take one? A short checklist is on can my home take a lift?.
Using a lift
What happens in a power cut? One supplier says its stair lift batteries keep it working in a power cut, and another says its home lift has a battery for a safe descent to the lowest floor. That differs by model. Ask for the backup details of the lift quoted in writing.
Can a wheelchair go on a stair lift? A chair stair lift doesn't carry a wheelchair. See wheelchair and platform lifts.
Things to ask any installer in writing
We haven't researched these, and they differ by lift and installer, so ask for the answers in writing.
- Who is responsible for the warranty, and what does it cover?
- Will spare parts and batteries stay available, and for how long?
- If someone is stuck in the lift, how is it lowered or reached, and who do you call?
- What does servicing cost each time, and does it cover this make?
- How much noise and disruption does installation cause?
- If the lift is removed or the house is sold, what happens to it?
- Is a structural engineer needed for your home?
The rules
Is a lift in a private home covered by regulations? The department's guidelines say the scope applies to lifts installed in a private residence, and they ask for monthly maintenance by a competent lift service provider (or longer intervals the manufacturer sets), registration, and an inspection report at intervals not exceeding 24 months. See lift service and maintenance.
Do I need municipal approval? We could not confirm this from a source. Ask your municipality or whoever quotes.
Questions people ask
Do I pay to send a request?
No. Sending a request is free and commits you to nothing.
Do I have to tell you about a medical condition?
No. We don't ask for medical information. Describing the home and the stairs is enough.
Will you share my details?
We share your details only with the people and providers needed to handle your request, such as the installers who may quote, and where the law requires. We don't sell them. See the privacy policy.
Sources for the figures and rules on this page
- A South African supplier's published stair lift ranges (accessed 14 Nov 2026) stairliftchair.co.za (opens in a new tab)
- Overseas exporter's home lift price table (accessed 14 Nov 2026) starelevatorglobal.com (opens in a new tab)
- A South African supplier of shaftless home lifts: no shaft, pit or motor room (accessed 14 Nov 2026) lifta.co.za (opens in a new tab)
- A stair lift supplier says no structural changes are needed (accessed 14 Nov 2026) acornstairlifts.co.za (opens in a new tab)
- Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations 2009 and the department's notes (Government Gazette 39132, Notice R763, 28 Aug 2015) gov.za (opens in a new tab)
- SARS list of qualifying disability expenditure, effective 1 March 2020 (may have been updated since) sars.gov.za (opens in a new tab)