home lift type
Wheelchair Home Lifts: UK Types, Models & Costs (2026)
If you use a wheelchair and live in a house with stairs, the upstairs can become out of reach.
A wheelchair home lift carries you between floors without leaving the chair.
This page covers the types, the models sold in the UK, what they cost and how to choose.
Wheelchair home lifts at a glance (2026)
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Best type | Through-floor cabin lift (e.g. Stiltz Trio+, Lifton TRIO, Terry Melody 3) or vertical platform lift (Aritco HomeLift Access, Stannah Midilift) |
| Typical installed cost | £17,000–£25,000; platform lifts for multiple floors can reach £40,000 |
| Dimensions | Cabin/platform sized for a standard wheelchair plus turning space on each landing; level or ramped access |
| Installation | 1–3 days for through-floor models; no shaft, pit or machine room needed |
| Funding | Disabled Facilities Grant up to £30,000 (England) and 0% VAT for disabled users |
See our full guide to the best home lifts for wheelchair users in 2026, or compare every brand with the Home Lift Finder.
What is a Wheelchair Home Lift?
A wheelchair home lift is a through-floor cabin or vertical platform lift big enough to carry a passenger seated in their wheelchair between floors: typically costing £17,000–£25,000 installed in the UK in 2026, fitted in 1–3 days, and eligible for Disabled Facilities Grant funding and zero-rate VAT for disabled users.
Through-floor models serve two floors. For three or more, you need a shaft or platform lift from Aritco or Cibes. A platform lift carries the chair on an open or enclosed platform. A stairlift cannot carry a wheelchair at all.
Choosing the Right Wheelchair Lift for Your Home
Check three things first:
- The size and weight of the lift: Measure the wheelchair, and ask whether a carer will ride too. Wheelchair models carry 250 kg or more.
- The height of your home: Measure the floor-to-floor height. Through-floor lifts have a travel limit, and Terry and Wessex models stop at 3.0 to 3.6 m.
- The type of lift: A through-floor cabin for two floors, or a shaft or platform lift for more.
Benefits of a Wheelchair Home Lift
What it changes:
- Independence: You can reach the other floor on your own, without being lifted or transferred.
- Upstairs rooms: The bathroom and bedroom upstairs stay usable, instead of moving a bed downstairs.
- Home value: Whether it helps a sale depends on the buyer; our property value guide sets out the evidence.
Types of Wheelchair Lifts
The main types:
- Platform Lifts: An open or enclosed platform. Home versions from Aritco and Cibes serve up to six floors.
- Floor Lifts: Through-floor cabins, such as the Stiltz Trio+, Lifton TRIO and Stannah Uplifts S3, serve two floors.
- Stair Lifts: A stairlift has a seat, not a platform, so it does not carry a wheelchair.
Summary Of Wheelchair Home Lift
For two floors, a wheelchair-size through-floor cabin is the usual choice. For more floors, a shaft or platform lift. Measure the chair, the floor space and the ceiling height before you ask for quotes. Be sure to get a home lift quote so you can compare quotes from home lift companies.
Top Homelifts
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Wheelchair Home Lift
Answers to the questions we are asked most about wheelchair lifts.
What Is A Wheelchair Home Lift?
A home lift with a car or platform big enough for a person to stay seated in their wheelchair.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Wheelchair Home Lift?
You can reach every floor without leaving the chair.
It avoids moving a bed downstairs or being carried up.
What Are The Different Types Of Floor Lifts?
Through-floor cabins, shaft lifts and platform lifts.
Through-floor cabins serve two floors; shaft and platform lifts serve up to six.
Stairlifts do not carry wheelchairs.
How Do I Choose The Right Wheelchair Lift For My Home?
Measure the chair, the floor space and the height between floors.
An occupational therapist can assess what size of lift is needed, and that assessment is also the first step for a Disabled Facilities Grant.
Can A Wheelchair Home Lift Increase The Value Of My Home?
Not reliably. It depends on who buys the house; ask a local estate agent.
Is A Wheelchair Home Lift Easy To Use?
Yes. You roll on, press and hold a button or use a remote, and roll off.
Most have call buttons on each floor as well.
Is A Wheelchair Home Lift Safe?
A correctly installed and serviced lift has several safety systems.
These include battery lowering in a power cut, sensors under the car and door interlocks. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep up the servicing.
How Much Does A Wheelchair Home Lift Cost?
Published prices for wheelchair-size through-floor lifts start at £15,500 (Morgan Ellis, Stiltz wheelchair version), £16,000 including VAT (My Mobility UK, Stiltz Trio+) and £19,500 (Stannah Uplifts S3). Disabled users pay no VAT, and a Disabled Facilities Grant can cover up to £30,000 in England.
Are Platform Lifts Useful?
Yes, where a wheelchair user needs more than two floors or a short rise over steps. They are also called disabled lifts or access lifts.