home lift type
Reconditioned Home Lifts & Second-Hand Lifts: UK Prices (2026)
As an alternative to buying a brand new home lift, you can save money and help the environment by opting for a reconditioned home lift, also known as a freshly refurbished lift or reconditioned lift.
You can buy a reconditioned, safe, dependable elevator that looks and functions like a brand-new one. An existing lift can be removed from a home and put into a new one as a refurbished lift. Refurbished lifts are a lot cheaper option for people to buy.
Reconditioned home lift prices in 2026
A reconditioned home lift typically costs £8,000–£18,000 installed in the UK in 2026 – roughly 30–50% less than the equivalent new lift. Reconditioned stairlifts start from around £1,000. The saving is real, but it depends entirely on what has actually been reconditioned, who re-installs it, and what warranty comes with it. If you are weighing reconditioned against a budget new lift, compare it with the cheapest home lift in the UK, and see our home lift research and data for how we arrived at these figures. We track live second-hand listings alongside every new-lift price published in the UK in our home lift price tracker, updated monthly.
| Lift type | Reconditioned (installed) | New equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Through-floor / cabin lift | £8,000–£18,000 | £13,000–£22,000 |
| Vertical platform lift | £6,000–£14,000 | £10,000–£25,000 |
| Straight stairlift | £1,000–£2,000 | £2,000–£4,500 |
| Curved stairlift | £2,000–£3,500 | £4,000–£7,500 |
Prices are indicative 2026 figures; every re-installation still needs a home survey. Use our cost calculator to compare against new prices.
What reconditioned home lifts actually sell for: August 2026
Price bands are useful, but they are not the same as watching the market. On 17 August 2026 we went through every publicly advertised second-hand and reconditioned home lift we could find in the UK, on eBay, on Gumtree and on refurbisher websites, and recorded what each one was actually being asked for. We will repeat this every month.
The first finding is the size of the market. We found twelve genuine listings in the entire country. Not twelve per site. Twelve in total. By contrast, a single Gumtree search for reconditioned stairlifts returns pages of them. If you are waiting for the right second-hand home lift to appear, you are fishing in a very small pond, and that is the most important thing to understand before you start.
The second finding is that the price depends far less on the lift than on which of three routes you buy through.
| How you buy it | Observed asking prices, Aug 2026 | What you get | What you take on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade refurbisher, installed, with warranty | £9,500 for the one unit with a published price; refurbishers quote £9,500 to £12,500 as a range | Refurbished unit, installation, a warranty, someone to call | Least risk, highest price. Stock is limited and rarely listed publicly |
| Independent installer fitting a reconditioned unit | £3,700 and £3,818 (the only two installed prices publicly advertised) | Unit plus installation and testing | Building works usually excluded, no warranty offered in either listing |
| Private sale, supply only | £900 to £5,000, most between £1,500 and £4,000 | The lift, where it currently stands | You arrange dismantling, collection, reinstallation, commissioning and any building work. No warranty |
The gap between the second and third rows is the whole decision. A £1,500 Stiltz Duo in Cambridgeshire is not a £1,500 home lift. It is a £1,500 lift plus a dismantling, a collection, a reinstallation and a commissioning, none of which are quoted, and any competent installer will want to inspect it before touching it. The two advertised installed prices exist precisely because someone has priced that work in.
What the sellers do not tell you
- Eleven of the twelve listings said nothing at all about VAT. On a £5,000 lift that is a £1,000 question, and it is unanswered in almost every advert. Ask before you commit. Reconditioned lifts can be zero-rated for a disabled buyer in the same way new ones can.
- Ten of the twelve offered no warranty. One trade seller stated a warranty without giving terms. One private seller offered to pass on the original paperwork, which is not the same thing.
- Only four listings stated the lift’s age. One was installed in 2019, one in 2025, one was three years old and had never been used because it was a council Disabled Facilities Grant installation that turned out not to be needed.
How much value a home lift loses
Three sellers published what they originally paid. A Stiltz Duo Vista bought at £16,895 excluding VAT was being advertised at £5,000. A lift bought at £12,000 was £4,000. A platform lift supplied and fitted at £6,195 was £2,500. That is a resale value of roughly 30 to 35 per cent of the original installed cost, and it is worth knowing in both directions: it is why buying used is cheap, and it is what you should expect if you ever sell.
Our method, so you can judge it
We searched eBay UK, Gumtree UK, refurbisher and reseller websites and specialist mobility resellers on 17 August 2026, recorded every listing for a domestic home lift, through-floor lift, cabin lift or vertical platform lift, and excluded stairlifts, commercial passenger lifts and lift removal services. We recorded the asking price as advertised. We did not adjust, average or estimate anything. Three listings that appeared in search results had already ended and were excluded. Two listings were ambiguous as to whether they were home lifts or platform lifts and are flagged as such in our dataset rather than dropped.
One gap we will close: secondhandlifts.co.uk, Terry Group’s own reconditioned arm, was unreachable on the day and it appears to list individually stock-numbered refurbished units. It is likely the largest single source of genuine trade listings in this market and it is missing from this first capture.
First capture 17 August 2026. Next capture September 2026.
Reconditioned vs second-hand: they are not the same thing
A reconditioned lift has been removed by a specialist, stripped, had worn parts replaced, been re-tested to the original specification and is re-installed with a warranty (typically 12 months). A second-hand lift bought privately – on eBay, Gumtree or from a house clearance – is sold as-is: you carry the cost of professional removal, survey, structural work and re-certification, which can easily exceed the saving. Our advice is simple: buy reconditioned from a specialist with a written warranty, and be very cautious about private second-hand cabin lifts.
Used Stiltz, Stannah and other brand lifts
Searches for used Stiltz and Stannah lifts are common, but neither manufacturer runs an official second-hand programme for cabin lifts – refurbished units reach the market through independent lift engineers and mobility dealers. A used Stiltz Duo or Trio can be a good buy when it is re-installed and commissioned by a competent lift engineer, because these lifts are designed around a precise floor cut-out and rail alignment. For stairlifts it is easier: most major dealers (and some manufacturers) sell factory-reconditioned Stannah and Acorn units with warranties. See our Stiltz review and Stannah review for what the new equivalents cost.
What to check before you buy (the five-point list)
- Service history – ask for maintenance records; a domestic lift should have been serviced at least annually.
- Written warranty – a reputable reconditioned lift comes with 6–12 months parts-and-labour minimum.
- Who re-installs it – re-installation must include a survey, commissioning and safety testing by a competent lift engineer, not a general builder.
- Parts availability – older models can be uneconomic to repair; check parts are still stocked for the exact model.
- Total cost – add removal, transport, structural work and commissioning to the sticker price before comparing with new.
Selling or removing an existing home lift
If you are on the other side of the trade, a well-maintained lift under ten years old has resale value to reconditioning specialists – they will often remove it professionally as part of the deal. Read our guide to how a home lift is removed before getting quotes.
Choosing the Right Reconditioned Home Lift for Your Property
When choosing a reconditioned home lift, it’s important to consider your property’s specific needs and requirements. Some factors to consider include the following:
- Space requirements: Consider the amount of space available for the lift, including the size and additional space needed for operation.
- Load capacity: Ensure that the lift has enough capacity to accommodate the weight of the users and any items being transported.
- Safety features: Check that the lift has the necessary features to ensure the safety of the users.
- Half-height door: Some reconditioned lifts may have a half-height door, a cost-effective alternative to a full-height door.
Summary Of Reconditioned Home Lifts
As an alternative to buying a brand new home lift, you can save money and help the environment by opting for a reconditioned home lift. You may choose a refurbished lift that fits your building and your budget from many different models and customisations. A dependable and secure home lift may be yours at a discount if you opt for a refurbished model.
The Benefits of Reconditioned Home Lifts
There are many benefits to choosing a reconditioned home lift for your property. Some of the key benefits include:
- Cost savings: Reconditioned home lifts are significantly less expensive than new lifts, making them an affordable option for homeowners on a budget.
- Environmentally friendly: By choosing a reconditioned lift, you are helping reduce waste and conserve resources, which is better for the environment.
- Reliability: Reconditioned lifts are refurbished to like-new condition and are as reliable and safe as new lifts.
- Wide range of options: With a large selection of reconditioned lifts, you can find a lift that meets your needs and requirements.
Types of Reconditioned Home Lifts
There are several types of reconditioned home lifts available, including:
- Through-floor lifts: Through-floor lifts are installed through a hole in the floor and can be used to access multiple levels of a property.
- Platform lifts: Platform lifts, also known as porch lifts, are designed to be used by people in wheelchairs or with mobility devices.
- Stairlifts: Stairlifts are a cost-effective solution for accessing different levels of a property and can be installed on straight or curved staircases. These are known as reconditioned stairlifts. A reconditioned stairlift can be a great cost-effective option.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Reconditioned Home Lifts
People in the UK who are considering installing a home lift often have several questions. Below are our answers to some of the most often-asked questions (and their explanations) about home lifts in the UK.
Are Reconditioned Home Lifts Safe?
Refurbished residential elevators are as safe as brand-new ones, so there’s no need to worry.
They are restored to factory specifications, complete with all original safety equipment. They come with safety pans and remote controls, They’re straightforward to use and rarely need major structural work.
How Much Do Reconditioned Home Lifts Cost?
Homeowners on a tighter budget might consider purchasing a refurbished model rather than a brand-new one because of the large price difference between the two types.
Factors including the kind of lift, property specifications, and installation location determine the precise sum.
What Types of Reconditioned Home Lifts are Available?
Through-floor elevators, platform lifts, and stairlifts are all available as refurbished options for the house.
How Do I Choose the Right Reconditioned Home Lift for My Property?
There are various factors to consider while deciding on a reconditioned home lift for your building. Half-height door alternatives, load capacity, safety features, and available space are all things to consider.
Can I Customise My Reconditioned Home Lift?
Depending on the company you choose to recondition your home lift, you can tailor it to your specifications.
The lift’s kind and the firm you buy it from will determine how much you may personalise it.
How Do I Install Reconditioned Lifts?
Home lifts may be expensive. Therefore, getting a competent installation crew to put in your refurbished model is important.
They will take care of everything, from delivering and installing the lift to checking it to ensure it works properly.
How Do I Maintain My Reconditioned Home Lift?
As with a brand-new lift, a refurbished residential elevator needs regular service from a competent elevator maintenance service.
If you keep up with routine maintenance, your elevator should last a long time and function reliably.
Can I Sell My Newly Refurbished Lift if I No Longer Need it?
You may sell your refurbished home lift if you no longer need it.
Why Do They Have A Half-Height Door?
They gave these doors to stop people from falling out and stay safe in the lift when it is going up and down.