Stair lifts for houses across South Africa

A rail is fixed to the treads of the stairs, not to the wall. The chair rides along it, folds back when not in use, and runs on a rechargeable battery that charges from a normal plug. Suppliers say it needs no structural change to the home, though the width, condition and landings of your stairs still need checking, and that no major electrical work is usually needed. One supplier says a straight unit can go in in a matter of hours, and a curved one typically takes about a day on site once its rail has been made to measure.

That is what the suppliers say, and each model is different. Ask whoever quotes about the lift you are being offered.

• Straight. One flight, no turns. The simplest and usually the lowest in price.
• Curved. A turn, a landing or more than one flight. The rail is made to measure, so there is a wait while it is made, and the price is higher.
• Outdoor. For steps outside the house. Built for the weather, and the price depends on the staircase and the specification.

If you are unsure which you have, say so in the form, or read the questions and answers. Describe the stairs in your own words, such as "one flight with a turn at the top", and we'll work it out on the call.

A chair stair lift suits someone who can transfer onto the seat, or be helped to. It doesn't carry a wheelchair. If the user stays in a wheelchair, a platform lift or a home lift fits better. See wheelchair and platform lifts.

Think about what is ahead as well as now. A lift that fits today's need should still make sense if the need changes.

• How many flights are there, and is there a turn, a landing or a half-landing?
• Is the staircase wide enough to leave room to walk past a folded chair? Measure the width of the treads and write it down.
• Where could the chair park at the top and bottom without blocking a door?
• Is there a plug nearby for charging?
• Is the staircase carpeted, tiled, wood or outdoor concrete?

None of it has to be exact. A rough description is a good start. The rest is checked when someone looks at the stairs.

New stair lifts are published at about R45,000 to R70,000 for a straight staircase and R60,000 to R95,000 for a curved one by one South African supplier. These are one firm's figures, and the page doesn't say what the price includes. The stair lift cost guide lists every figure we found with its source and date, and what moves the price on your own stairs.

South African lift regulations cover lifts in private homes, and the department says maintenance applies to stair lifting platforms. Whether the rules treat a chair stair lift the same way is something we could not settle from the sources we found, so ask whoever quotes what applies and who will service it. See lift service and maintenance.

If you rent or live in a complex or estate, check your landlord, body corporate or estate rules before any work.