Home Accessibility FAQ

There are two types of stairlifts: ones designed for straight staircases and ones designed for staircases with curves or intermediate landings. Both types may feature outdoor packages depending on the stairlift model.

Straight stairlifts are designed for a single flight of straight-run stairs without any turns or landings. They are installed quickly and are less expensive than curved stairlifts. These can vary from very simple units like the Savaria K2, or more cutting-edge technologies like our Handicare 1100 model.

Curved stairlifts are designed for staircases that feature a turn, curve, or intermediate landing. They are also a great option to consider if you would like out-of-the-way parking for the chair at the top and/or bottom of your stairs. Some models like the Handicare Freecurve even offer powered upgrades including an automatic folding footrest, power swivel, and folding rail hinge.

Stairlifts typically use a rack and pinion drive system with a battery-operated motor that moves the chair up and down the stairs along a rail. Did you know the patented multi-drive system on the Handicare 1100 straight stairlift eliminates the traditional geared tooth rack? We use next-generation stairlift technology to give you a quieter, smoother ride. And thanks to no geared tooth rack, the rail is virtually maintenance-free.

A simple, straight stairlift can often be installed within 24-48 hours of the assessment by your Savaria Home Access expert. Because of the complexity of a curved stairlift, the process is a little bit longer, and involves three steps:

1. Photo measuring session: using the revolutionary Savaria PS4D photo measuring system, your Home Access expert will take very precise measurements of your staircase. They may even be able to use PS4D to show you a realistic 3D rendering of your stairlift on your stairs before you place your order!
2. Manufacture: using data from PS4D, we custom fabricate the rails for your curved stairlift at our North American manufacturing facility.
3. Installation: your Savaria Home Access expert can install your new stairlift in about a day in most cases. Very complex staircases may take a little longer.

Get in touch with a Savaria Home Access expert to book your free assessment.

Typically, if you need a wheelchair or depend on a walker or rollator, you should consider a wheelchair lift instead of a stairlift because you’d need a separate mobility device at each level—you can’t take it along for the ride on your stairlift! However, you may be able to use a stairlift if you can easily transfer to it and are able to move about a level of your home without your mobility aid (or want to have one on each level, of course!). Consult your healthcare professional or Occupational Therapist about your unique needs before making a purchase.

It may be possible to install a stairlift outdoors, depending on your local conditions such as temperature and proximity to salt air. Many stairlifts are designed with durable materials to withstand rain, snow, and other weather. Generally speaking if you live in gardening zones 6-10 (USA) or 5-7 (Canada), your outdoor Savaria stairlift should be good to go! In colder climates, you may be able to install your stairlift in a garage for additional year-round weather protection. In extreme cold, there may be restrictions on outdoor installation.

For straight-run stairs, the Savaria K2 and our Handicare 1000 come with water-resistant, UV-protected outdoor packages. For curved stairs, our Handicare 4000 outdoor model is a versatile option.

Get in touch with your local Savaria Home Access expert to determine if an outdoor stairlift can be installed in your area.

You may be able to rent a straight stairlift from your local Savaria Home Access expert. On top of a base rental fee, there may be additional fees for installation and removal. Contact your Savaria Home Access expert to learn more.

A good curved stairlift—including all Savaria models—will include rails that have been custom made for the stairs it will be installed on, so these are usually not available as rentals.

Savaria has a network of Home Access experts near you that can help you through the process of purchasing a stairlift. Get in touch with us and we can connect you for a fast, free quote.

A straight stairlift is ideal for a straight-run staircase with no landings in the middle. If your staircase has curves, turns, or intermediate landings, you should consider a curved stairlift instead.

Medicare does not typically cover the cost of a stairlift. Medicaid will sometimes cover the cost since stairlifts are deemed medically necessary. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can help you determine what funding programs are available in your area.

Health insurance plans do not usually cover the cost of stairlifts. Contact your insurance provider for details about your specific plan.

There may be federal, state/provincial or local programs in your area that can help with funding your stairlift purchase, including Veterans Affairs in some cases. Many charitable organizations also provide funding in certain circumstances. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can help walk you through programs available in your area.

Stairlifts may be sales-tax-exempt or income-tax-deductible, depending on your location and circumstances. Contact your local Savaria Home Access expert to learn about more about stairlifts and taxes specific to your area.

Stairlifts are typically chargeable-battery-operated, so they can be used for several trips up and down during a power outage.

To avoid serious injury, a stair lift should never be installed, modified, or serviced by a non-professional. In many jurisdictions, a stairlift is a regulated safety device, and some regions may also require an inspection. DIY installation or repair of your stairlift may also void your warranty. Your local Savaria Home Access technician is a stairlift expert trained in the safe and correct installation and service of your stairlift. That’s why we only allow our stairlifts to be installed by our authorized dealer network.

The Savaria Home Access authorized dealer that installed your stairlift is the best place to call for service inquiries. If you can’t remember the name of the authorized dealer who installed your Savaria or Handicare model stairlift, complete the form on our Service & Repair page and our customer service team will be happy to help.

You should avoid using harsh cleaners on your stairlift. All you need is a damp cloth to wipe down the stairlift track and seat. Refer to your stairlift’s user manual for more information. Did you know our Handicare 1100 straight stairlift has a self-cleaning rail? Every time you ride your 1100, four brush heads constantly sweep dust and pet hair away from the rail!

We offer industry-leading warranties on our stairlifts. All Savaria models come with a 36-month manufacturer’s parts warranty. Our Handicare models come with a 24-month manufacturer’s parts and limited lifetime on the powertrain. Learn more about our warranty, or talk to your local Savaria Home Access expert for more detailed information.

Every Savaria stairlift is designed, engineered and manufactured to meet the highest safety standards. That’s why we only allow our authorized Home Access experts to install and service our equipment.

To reduce the risk of injuries and accidents, avoid using DIY kits or trying to install or repair a stairlift yourself. Many dealers will refuse to service your unit—or may need to charge more to correct errors or additional problems caused by DIY work—and most manufacturers will void your warranty if you attempt to install or service it yourself.

The right stairlift for you depends on your unique needs and living space. A straight stairlift is suitable for a single straight run of stairs. The Savaria line-up of straight stairlifts means we have something for almost everyone—from basic mobility to models designed for very narrow staircases, or heavier-duty models, and even outdoor applications! You may also consider optional features such as a flip-up rail, powered folding footrest, and powered swivel seat. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can help you choose the right stairlift.

If your staircase has curves, turns, or intermediate landings, you should consider a curved stairlift instead.

A straight stairlift can be installed in as little as one hour. Installation time varies depending on the stairs, the model and any optional power features.

You may be able to purchase a used straight stairlift from your local Savaria Home Access expert. Make sure you work with an authorized and trained stairlift installer! Individual resellers (and that guy on Facebook Marketplace) often sell units that are not properly restored and inspected, and may not offer safe installation services. Stairlift installation and maintenance are not suitable DIY projects.

For the best fit and smoothest ride, look for a curved stairlift with a custom rail that’s made to fit the precise measurements of your unique staircase. Your Savaria Home Access expert will use our unique PS4D photo measuring tool to take a digital scan of your staircase, and then create a 3D rendering that can show you a preview of your stairlift on your stairs—switch between models, seat options and colors on the render in the app to select the perfect combination before you place your order! Book a free assessment.

Your curved stairlift from Savaria is suitable for staircases with curves, turns and intermittent landings—they can even accommodate pie-shaped and spiral staircases. The travel rail can be mounted close to the wall on self support posts or alongside the railing.

Beyond home use, a stairlift can be installed in a church, school, or any public building, if it is rated for public use and meets local code requirements. Contact your authorized Savaria dealer about your unique commercial project.

Because we custom manufacture our curved stairlift rails (right here in North America, too!) to fit the precise dimensions of your staircase using our revolutionary PS4D photo measuring system, your Savaria stairlift will provide a great fit even if your stairs are pie-shaped or spiral. However, some extremely narrow staircases (less than 30" wide) can be more difficult to work with than others. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can conduct a free assessment to help identify the best curved stairlift model for your home and your needs.

Vertical platform lifts (VPLs) move a passenger in a wheelchair straight up and down. There are both indoor and outdoor models available, and units can range from very “Plain Jane” accessibility to the luxury glass and stainless steel models more commonly found in high-end commercial buildings.

Inclined platform lifts (IPLs) unfold to allow a passenger in a wheelchair to travel up a flight of stairs. For that reason, some people also call this type of lift a ‘wheelchair stairlift’ or ‘wheelchair stair chair.’ With these lifts the platform folds up against the wall for easy access to the stairs when the unit is not in use.

Inclined platform lifts do not usually require a shaftway or machine room. They are a great solution for spaces that are too narrow to accommodate a vertical platform lift or elevator.

There are a lot of variables when it comes to wheelchair lift costs, such as model, location, distance of travel and the specifics of your home.

For a two-stop unenclosed vertical platform lift, you should expect to pay more for more greater travel distance, complex projects, luxury customizations, and optional features.

For a straight-run inclined platform lift, a lot depends on the size and configuration.

Your local Savaria Home Access expert is the best resource for accurate pricing in your area. Contact yours to book a free assessment and get a no-obligations quote.

If you use a walker, rollator or wheelchair, a wheelchair lift is often more practical than a stairlift that does not allow you to take your mobility device along for the ride! You can enter and exit a wheelchair lift while staying seated in your wheelchair or using another mobility device—and still have your chair or device with you and ready to use when you reach the other level! You may still be able to use a stairlift instead if you are able to safely transfer to and from the stair chair, and/or do not need to use your mobility device at all times. It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional about your unique needs before making a purchase.

Depending on the model, you may be able to install a vertical platform lift or inclined platform lift outdoors. Many models are designed for varying weather conditions, depending on the severity of things like temperature and wind speed. Note that outdoor lifts usually require additional maintenance.

Many wheelchair lift installers will buy back used equipment that is in good working condition. Get in touch with your nearest Savaria Home Access expert to learn more.

Wheelchair lifts may be covered as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) under Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) if it is deemed necessary by a doctor for use in your home. Refer to Medicare for more information.

You may be able to get funding through your private insurance provider or local, state, and national organizations. Contact your local Savaria Home Access expert to learn about funding options.

You will need to meet the following space requirements to install a wheelchair platform lift.

Vertical Platform Lifts – Porch Lift
Minimum footprint: 54"x74" (for a platform that is 36"x48")

Vertical Platform Lifts – Wheelchair Lift Inside Hoistway
Hoistway minimum size: 54"x54" (for a 36"x48" platform)

Inclined Platform Lift
Minimum width of stairs: 38"
Bottom landing space: 10 feet

Your local installer is qualified to determine the best fit for your space requirements. Get in touch with a Savaria Home Access expert today.

Vertical platform wheelchair lifts can typically travel from 8 inches to 23 feet, depending on the model and applicable local code.

Typically, vertical platform wheelchair lifts are limited to a 750 lb capacity. Inclined platform lifts have a lower average capacity of 550-660 lb. This will vary depending on the model and local code requirements. The weight of the user as well as the mobility device must be considered when purchasing a wheelchair lift.

Wheelchair lifts are a better home access option than ramps. Since ramps require a large amount of space, it is difficult to meet code requirements. Vertical and inclined platform wheelchair lifts can both accommodate limited space and are safe options.

Unlike a home elevator, a vertical platform lift relies on constant pressure controls, meaning the user must continuously push down a button for the lift to move.

There are many technical differences between vertical platform lifts and home elevators. Contact your nearest Savaria Home Access expert for more information.

Our Luma lift, which is our most compact lift, needs just under 47” by 38” for the floor cut-out.  

For the standard cab, you will need 82 ¾" inches on the first level, and 94 ½" for the upper level. We also offer a shorter cab that requires 79” in the lower level and 91” for the upper level. 

The Luma lift features a car-top drive system, therefore no additional equipment area or machine room is required.  The Telecab and Telecab 17 lifts have all equipment housed inside the attached drive tower, with no machine room needed. 

The Luma lift should take 1 day to install, although in some cases it may take 2 days. The Telecab lift typically takes 2 or 3 days. 

No. Savaria through-the-floor lifts features special sensors that will detect the obstruction and prevent the lift from travelling to the upper floor. 

No through-floor lift is allowed by safety code to travel more that 2 stops.

The Luma lift is self-supporting with the supplied travel rails, whereas the Telecab lifts must be secured to a support wall.   

The Telecab 17 offers a higher capacity of 845 lb versus the standard Telecab of 500 lb. The Telecab 17 features full acrylic panels in 3 sides, whereas the standard Telecab has acrylic windows. The Telecab offers more cab sizes and entrance/exit configurations than the Telecab 17. 

Both Telecabs and the Luma Lift require some work by a local contractor to be done prior to the installation. The Luma Lift usually requires less preparation and Savaria supplies a ceiling/floor liner to finish the travel cut-out area. The Telecab needs a reinforced support wall. See the respective planning guides for more information.  

None of Savaria through-floor lifts require a machine room. The Luma Lift drive system is mounted on the car top. The Telecab drive system in enclosed in the drive tower that is anchored to the support wall. 

By code, you will require a two-way communications system in your lift that will allow you to call someone in case of emergency. In addition, our through-floor lifts include emergency lowering systems and a method to open the door once lowered. Owner’s guides provide additional information and dealers should always explain what to do in an emergency once the lift is installed in your home. 

Taxes are determined by your local government in most cases so it’s best to check with your local dealer on what taxes apply to the lift purchase. In Canada, our through-floor lifts qualify as accessibility lifts and GST/HST is zero-rated.