Home lift buying mistakes: 12 quote errors that cost real money

Our installed price bands run from £13,000 to £28,000 for a through-floor lift and up to £55,000 for traction (UK, 2026). Quotes at that level are rarely written to be compared. This page sets out the reading errors that cost buyers most, what each can cost and the question that prevents it. UK Homelifts does not sell, supply or install lifts, so none of this favours a supplier.

The mistakes, what they cost and how to avoid them

Costs are indicative. Site figures are marked; the rest are worked from a £20,000 ex VAT quote used as an illustration.

VAT: three ways to pay the wrong amount

Mixing VAT bases

Every home lift brand we track that states a VAT basis on its published price states it ex VAT: Stiltz “from £17,000 (ex. VAT)”, Lifton “from £18,000 plus VAT”, the Cibes Air at £19,000 “exclusive of VAT”, and Companion £14,000 to £19,000 excluding VAT. Stannah’s “from £15,000” states no basis. Some dealers advertise inc VAT. On 20 August 2026 one listed a Stiltz Duo+ at £14,000 including VAT, £3,000 under Stiltz’s own ex VAT starting price. At the standard rate, £17,000 ex VAT is £20,400. All 95 published prices are on our price tracker.

Assuming the over-60s rate

HMRC’s 5% list for people over 60 is grab rails, ramps, stair lifts, bath lifts, built-in shower seats or showers containing them, and walk-in baths with sealable doors. Home lifts are not on it, so an over-60 with no qualifying condition pays 20% on a lift and 5% on a stairlift.

Claiming relief afterwards

Zero-rating for a chronically sick or disabled person in their own home is applied by the supplier at the point of sale, on a signed eligibility declaration. GOV.UK says: “This is not a VAT refund system and there is no facility for HMRC to refund VAT to you.” Put three questions on every quote: inclusive or exclusive of VAT, will you zero-rate it, and what do you need from me. Our prices guide covers who qualifies.

Grant timing: the costliest single error

GOV.UK’s Disabled Facilities Grant guidance says: “You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application.” The council must decide within six months of the application. Signing an order or paying a deposit while the council is still assessing can cause trouble even before a floor is cut, so ask the council what it treats as starting work. Scotland runs a different system: see home lift grants in Scotland. The full sequence is on the OT and DFG process.

Quote scope: what the headline leaves out

Builder’s work

Of the six UK brands that publish a price, only Stannah and Companion say clearly that building works are included. Stiltz states lift, delivery, installation and a 12-month warranty; Lifton says “standard” site preparation without defining it. Our installation cost guide puts the gap at £1,500 to £6,000 for most homes, enough to reverse which quote is cheaper. Ask for separate lines for the aperture and joist trimming, structural calculations, making good and redecoration on both floors, the electrical supply, and building control fees.

One quote

The £3,000 gap above is between two published figures for the same lift. Get three quotes on an identical specification: model, stops, finish and scope of building work.

Running costs and parts

We put running costs at £400 to £800 a year: electricity £40 to £100, a service at £250 to £500, plus contingency. Published servicing prices run from £195 to £750 a year (what a home lift service costs). Cibes is the only maker we found that prints its own, at £350, £650 and £1,250 a year by daily trips. Aritco publishes a five-year warranty; Stiltz, Lifton and Cibes publish 12 months, and Cibes adds “No maintenance, no manufacturer warranty.” We found no brand publishing a parts-availability period, so ask for one in writing, and ask whether an independent engineer can service the lift later. See home lift warranties compared.

Specification and exit costs

Stiltz points wheelchair users to the Trio+. The Duo+ carries two standing people. If a wheelchair is likely within the life of the lift, the smaller car means buying again later, from £17,000 ex VAT on Stiltz’s range. See wheelchair accessible home lifts.

Removal and floor reinstatement typically cost £1,000 to £1,500. Resale is weak: in our reconditioned market capture, three sellers who published their original price were asking roughly 30 to 35% of it. See how a home lift is removed.

Paying, signing and paperwork

Deposits

MoneySavingExpert’s section 75 guide says the total cost must be “at least £100.01 but no more than £30,000”, and you are covered “for the full amount even if you just pay 1p of it on a credit card”. Its example is a £200 card deposit on a £22,400 kitchen, refunded in full when the firm went bust. Above £30,000, which includes much of the vacuum and traction range, that protection is gone, so keep deposits small and stage payments against delivery.

Signing at home

A discount that expires when the salesperson leaves is a sales technique. A contract signed in your home is an off-premises contract under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The cancellation period normally ends 14 days after the contract for a service, or 14 days after delivery for goods, and runs up to 12 months longer if you were never given the cancellation information (regulation 31). The catch is regulation 28(1)(b), which excludes “goods that are made to the consumer’s specifications or are clearly personalised”. Citizens Advice puts it more plainly: the cooling-off period applies “unless it’s bespoke or made to measure”. A lift built to your chosen size, finish and gate side may fall within it; whether a standard model in a chosen colour does is not settled by the wording. If you ask for installation to start within the 14 days, you pay proportionately for work done (regulation 36; Citizens Advice says the business keeps “what’s necessary to cover the cost of services provided”). Ask the supplier to state in writing whether it treats the contract as cancellable.

Reconditioned lifts and sign-off

Ten of the 12 reconditioned and second-hand listings we recorded in August 2026 offered no warranty; see reconditioned home lifts. For any lift, GOV.UK warns that “without approval you will not have the certificates of compliance you may need when you want to sell your home.” Confirm who notifies building control and collect the completion certificate at handover.

Quote-comparison checklist

• VAT basis stated, and zero-rating confirmed where eligible
• Declaration signed before the invoice; DFG approved in writing if used
• Same model, stops, car size and gate side on every quote
• Aperture, structural work, making good and redecoration priced separately
• Electrical supply and building control fees included
• Warranty length, cover and any servicing condition
• Annual service price and parts-availability commitment
• Removal and reinstatement cost
• Deposit size, payment method and staged payments
• Cancellation terms in writing, and lead time to installation

Frequently asked questions

Do UK home lift prices include VAT?

Usually not. Every home lift brand we track that states a VAT basis on its published price states it excluding VAT, including Stiltz, Lifton, Cibes for the Air, and Companion. Stannah does not state a basis, and some dealers advertise including VAT. At the standard rate, £17,000 ex VAT becomes £20,400.

Does the over-60s 5% VAT rate apply to a home lift?

No. HMRC’s 5% list for people over 60 covers grab rails, ramps, stair lifts, bath lifts, built-in shower seats and walk-in baths with sealable doors. Home lifts are not included, so someone over 60 without a qualifying condition pays 20%. Zero-rating for chronically sick or disabled people is a separate relief.

Can I claim VAT back from HMRC after installation?

No. GOV.UK states that VAT relief for disabled people is not a refund system and HMRC cannot refund the VAT to you. The supplier applies the relief at the point of sale, based on your signed eligibility declaration. If you were overcharged, you have to take it up with the supplier.

What happens if I start work before my DFG is approved?

GOV.UK says you might not get any grant if you start work before the council approves your application. Maximums are £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £35,000 in Northern Ireland. Wait for written approval before signing an order, paying a deposit or booking an installation date.

Can I cancel a home lift contract signed at home?

Often, within 14 days, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Goods made to your specifications or clearly personalised are excluded, and a supplier may argue a built-to-order lift fits that. If you asked for work to start early, you pay for work done. Get the supplier’s cancellation terms in writing before signing.

How should I pay a home lift deposit?

Keep it modest and stage later payments against delivery and completion. Paying at least part by credit card gives section 75 cover on the full contract where the total is between £100.01 and £30,000. Above £30,000 that cover does not apply, which makes a small deposit more important.

UK Homelifts is an independent information site. We do not sell, supply, install or service lifts and are not affiliated with any manufacturer. This page is general information, not legal, tax, financial or grant advice. Check your own circumstances with the relevant professional, your council or HMRC.