What Happens at a Free Stairlift Survey?

A free stairlift survey is a home visit in which an engineer measures your staircase, talks through who will use the lift and gives you a written, no obligation quote. It usually takes around an hour, depending on the staircase. You do not have to buy anything, and you can compare the quote with others afterwards.

Why a survey comes first

No two staircases are the same, and the right lift depends on details you cannot see in a photograph: the exact width, the angle, the landing space, the doors and the ceiling height. A quote given without a visit is a guess. Our stairlift cost calculator gives a first estimate, but the survey is where the price becomes firm.

Booking the visit

Use the form on our free home survey page. We will ask a few simple questions: your address, which staircase, whether it is straight or has bends, and who will use the lift. Our head office is in Nayland, just north of Colchester, so we cover Colchester and the surrounding villages in the CO1 to CO7 area.

Ask who will be coming, and when. Our engineers are DBS checked, and you are welcome to have a relative or friend present.

What happens during the visit

1. A conversation first

The engineer starts by asking about the person who will use the lift: how they manage the stairs, whether they use a walking aid, how tall they are and roughly what they weigh. Weight matters because standard lifts have a maximum, and heavy duty models are rated to around 160 kg. This is about choosing equipment, not a medical assessment.

2. A look at the stairs

Next, the engineer inspects the staircase. They are checking:

• Whether it is straight, or has bends, a half landing or a winder.
• The width of the stairs, and whether the lift will leave enough room to walk past.
• The condition of the treads and walls the rail will fix to.
• How steep the flight is.

3. Measurements

This is the main part. For a straight stairlift, the engineer measures the length of the flight, the angle and the space at the top and bottom. For a curved lift, the measurements are much more detailed, because the rail is made to order for the staircase. Every turn and landing is recorded. See our curved stairlifts page for why this matters.

4. Where the lift will park

The engineer will look at where the lift sits when it is not in use. If it would block a doorway or a hallway, they might suggest a folding rail or a different position. They also check for a nearby power socket, since lifts charge through the mains.

5. Choosing the right type

Depending on what they find, the engineer may recommend a straight, curved, standing or perching lift, or sometimes something different. We advise independently across the major brands, including Acorn, Stannah, Handicare, Brooks and Companion, so the recommendation is based on your staircase and your budget.

What to have ready

• Clear access to the whole staircase, with shoes, bags and clutter moved.
• A note of who will use the lift and any other users, such as carers or visitors.
• Any paperwork from an occupational therapist, if you have had an assessment.
• Details of any other quotes, so we can compare like for like.
• Your landlord's contact, if you rent.
• A list of questions. Write them down before the day.

If you are applying for council help, mention it. Colchester City Council's Stairlift Grant starts with an occupational therapist assessment, as described in our post on how to apply for the Colchester stairlift grant.

How quotes are given

You should receive a written quote showing:

• The type of lift and its main specification.
• The installed price, including fitting.
• How VAT is treated, at 20% or 0% if you declare eligibility.
• The warranty terms.
• Servicing costs after the warranty period.
• The estimated installation date. A straight lift is usually fitted in a few hours, and next-day installation is often possible depending on availability. A curved lift has a few weeks' wait for its rail.

Treat any quote that does not show these points with care. If there is a verbal price only, ask for it in writing. We also offer a price match on like for like systems, so share any other quote you hold.

Questions worth asking the engineer

• What is the total installed price, and is anything extra?
• How long will the rail take, if it is curved?
• What does the warranty cover, and what does a service cost afterwards?
• What would removal cost if I no longer need the lift?

What you are not committing to

Nothing. The survey is free, and the quote is no obligation. There is no deposit at the survey, and you can take as long as you like to decide. A reasonable supplier will not push for a decision on the day. If you feel pressured, that tells you something about the supplier.

After the survey

1. Read the quote at your own pace, and ask us anything that is unclear.
2. Compare it with others, including reconditioned options from £1,785 for a straight lift. See reconditioned stairlifts.
3. If you decide to go ahead, confirm a date. Our post on how long stairlift installation takes explains what happens on the day.

For aftercare and the full process, visit our stairlift installation in Colchester page.

Frequently asked questions

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