Most homeowners pay $3,000 to $6,000 for a new indoor straight stairlift, professionally installed. Curved stairlifts, which use a rail custom-built to your staircase, generally run $10,000 to $17,000. Outdoor models cost more than their indoor counterparts: about $5,000 to $7,000 for a straight outdoor lift and $11,000 to $18,000 for a curved one.
Estimated installed ranges for the Bruno stairlifts Altamira carries. Your exact price depends on your staircase and the options you choose. Updated August 2026.
"How much does a stairlift cost?" is the first question most families ask us, and it's one of the hardest to answer online, because no two staircases are alike. Rail length, turns, indoor or outdoor placement, and the options you pick all move the number. This guide gives you honest, current ranges, explains what actually drives the price, and walks through the real ways people pay for one.
Stairlift Cost by Type
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| Stairlift Type | Typical Installed Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor straight | $3,000 – $6,000 | A single straight flight of stairs with no turns or landings |
| Indoor curved | $10,000 – $17,000 | Staircases with turns, curves, or intermediate landings |
| Outdoor straight | $5,000 – $7,000 | Porch steps, decks, and exterior stairs exposed to weather |
| Outdoor curved | $11,000 – $18,000 | Exterior staircases with turns or landings |
Estimated ranges only. Final pricing depends on rail length, staircase layout, options selected, and site conditions. Altamira provides an exact written quote after a free in-home consultation.
What Bruno Stairlifts Cost at Altamira
Altamira is an authorized Bruno dealer. Bruno stairlifts are made in the USA, and here is how the models we install typically price out, including professional installation.
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| Model | Typical Installed Cost | Capacity | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Elan
SRE-5000, indoor straight |
Starting around $3,000 | 300 lb | Our best-selling straight stairlift. Narrow vertical rail installs within 5" of the wall. |
| Bruno Elite
SRE-2010, indoor straight |
$4,000 – $6,000 | 400 lb | Higher capacity, adjustable-width armrests, larger seat and footrest available. |
| Bruno Elite Outdoor
SRE-2010E, outdoor straight |
$5,000 – $7,000 | 400 lb | Weather-resistant seat and cover, rated for 0°F to 125°F. |
| Bruno Elite Curve
CRE-2110, indoor curved |
$10,000 – $17,000 | 400 lb | Rail hand-built to your exact turns and landings. |
| Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor
CRE-2110E, outdoor curved |
$11,000 – $18,000 | 400 lb | Custom rail with marine-grade vinyl and powder-coat finish for year-round use. |
Power swivel seat, power folding footrest, and power folding rail are available on the indoor Elan and Elite; the outdoor Elite offers power swivel and power footrest. Each option adds to the total.
Want the full spec breakdown? See our straight stairlift models and curved stairlift models pages.
What's Included in an Installed Price
When we quote a stairlift, the number covers the whole job, not just the chair:
- A free in-home measurement and written estimate before anything is ordered
- The stairlift, rail cut (or built) to your staircase, and any options you chose
- Professional installation by Altamira's own trained technicians. The rail mounts to your stair treads, not the wall, so there is no structural work
- Testing every control and safety feature, then a hands-on walkthrough so you and your family know how to use it
- Bruno's warranty coverage, plus service and support from your local Altamira branch
What Actually Determines Your Price
Straight vs. curved
This is the single biggest factor. Straight lifts use stock rail cut to length. Curved lifts need a rail measured and hand-built for your staircase, which is why they cost two to three times more and take several weeks longer.
Staircase length
A standard straight rail covers most home staircases. Unusually long runs need additional rail, which adds to the price.
Indoor vs. outdoor
Outdoor models use weather-resistant seating, protective covers, and corrosion-resistant materials. Expect to pay more than for a comparable indoor lift.
Weight capacity
The 300 lb Elan is the most economical choice. If the rider needs 400 lb capacity or a larger seat, the Elite is the right fit at a somewhat higher price.
Power options
A power swivel seat, power folding footrest, and power folding rail each add cost. They are worth it for some riders and unnecessary for others, and your consultation will sort out which is which.
Landings and doorways
A door or hallway at the bottom of the stairs may call for a folding rail so the track lifts out of the way. A staircase with a mid-landing may mean one curved lift or two straight ones. Layout matters.
Ongoing Costs to Know About
- Maintenance. Like any mechanical equipment, a stairlift benefits from periodic inspection and service to keep the rail, batteries, charging contacts, and sensors working properly. Your local Altamira branch can tell you what a service visit costs in your area.
- Batteries. Bruno stairlifts run on continuously charging batteries, which is why they keep working during a power outage. The batteries eventually wear and need replacement, typically every few years, at a modest cost.
- Electricity. Negligible. A stairlift charging on ordinary household power uses very little energy.
Ways to Lower the Cost
- Two straight lifts instead of one curved. If your staircase is two straight runs joined by a landing, two straight lifts can cost thousands less than a single curved lift, as long as the rider can safely transfer at the landing. We will tell you honestly whether that is a good fit.
- Only the options you need. A manual swivel seat and manual footrest work fine for many riders. Add power features when they solve a real problem, not by default.
- Financing. Financing is available for qualified buyers, spreading the cost into manageable monthly payments. We will review the available terms during your consultation.
- Funding programs. Depending on your situation, VA benefits, Medicaid waiver programs, Area Agency on Aging assistance, long-term care insurance, or nonprofit grants may help. Details below.
- Tax deduction. A stairlift installed for a documented medical need may count toward the federal medical expense deduction. Talk with a tax professional about your own situation.
Can Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA Help Pay?
Original Medicare
Original Medicare generally does not cover stairlifts. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental home-safety benefits that differ by plan and service area. Check with your plan directly before ordering.
Medicaid waiver programs
Some state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers include home accessibility modifications for eligible participants. Benefits, waiting lists, approved providers, and dollar limits vary by state and program.
VA benefits for Veterans
The VA's HISA benefit does not cover stairlifts. VA lists stair glides among HISA's excluded items, along with portable ramps and porch lifts. A medically necessary stairlift may potentially be furnished through the VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service when a VA clinician prescribes it and the VA authorizes it. Veterans with certain qualifying service-connected disabilities may also explore the SAH or SHA disability housing grants for broader home adaptations. The VA makes every final eligibility and authorization decision. Our guide to the differences between HISA, SAH, and SHA explains each program.
Other sources
Area Agencies on Aging, state assistive technology programs, nonprofit organizations, long-term care insurance, and workers' compensation may help in some situations. Our complete funding guide walks through these options.
A note from a veteran-owned company: Altamira is an SBA-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and has served 25,000+ Veterans. We can help you understand which VA pathway may apply and what documentation it needs, but eligibility and approval always rest with the VA.
Should You Rent or Buy?
Altamira does not currently offer stairlift rentals. We sell and install new Bruno stairlifts. For families weighing a shorter-term need, financing for qualified buyers can keep the monthly cost manageable, and a straight stairlift can often be removed later with no lasting change to the staircase, since the rail mounts to the treads rather than the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a stairlift cost installed?
An indoor straight stairlift from Altamira generally runs $3,000 to $6,000 installed. An indoor curved stairlift with a custom-built rail generally runs $10,000 to $17,000 installed. Outdoor models cost more: about $5,000 to $7,000 for straight and $11,000 to $18,000 for curved. These are estimated ranges. Your exact price depends on your staircase and the options you choose.
Why do curved stairlifts cost so much more than straight ones?
The rail. A straight stairlift uses stock rail cut to the length of your stairs. A curved stairlift needs a rail that is measured and hand-built to follow your staircase's exact turns and landings. That custom fabrication, not the chair, is what drives the higher price and the longer lead time.
Does Medicare pay for a stairlift?
Original Medicare generally does not cover stairlifts. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental home-safety benefits, and some state Medicaid waiver programs can help with home modifications for eligible participants. Coverage varies by plan, state, and program, so confirm with your plan or program before ordering.
Does the VA HISA grant cover a stairlift?
No. VA lists stair glides among the items HISA excludes. A medically necessary stairlift may potentially be furnished through the VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service when a VA clinician prescribes it and the VA authorizes it. Veterans with certain qualifying service-connected disabilities may also explore the SAH or SHA disability housing grants for broader home adaptations. The VA makes the final eligibility and authorization decision in every case.
Does Altamira rent stairlifts?
No. Altamira does not currently offer stairlift rentals. We sell and install new Bruno stairlifts, and financing is available for qualified buyers, which can keep monthly costs manageable even for shorter-term needs.
How long does stairlift installation take?
A straight stairlift is usually installed in a single visit, often within a few hours, once the equipment is on hand. A curved stairlift takes longer overall because the custom rail must be built first, which typically means several weeks of lead time before a few-hour installation.
Can a stairlift be moved to another home?
Sometimes, for a straight stairlift. The rail length, staircase angle, landing clearances, and condition of the unit all have to be evaluated by a technician first. Curved stairlifts use a rail built for one specific staircase and are generally not practical to relocate.
Get Your Exact Number
The only way to know what your stairlift will cost is a quick look at your staircase. Altamira offers a free, no-obligation in-home assessment and written quote. No pressure, just honest guidance from a local, veteran-owned team.
SBA-certified SDVOSB · 25,000+ Veterans served · Six locations across PA, NJ, OH, IN & KY
