Most new straight outdoor stair lifts come to between $4,810 and $10,500 once installed. The lower figure is the lowest installed price we found, for a lift called the Harmar Summit. The higher one is the top of the range in one dealer's price guide, which also says an outdoor lift costs $2,000 to $3,500 more than an indoor one. Expect $9,500 to $16,000 for a curved outdoor lift, and $12,000 to $18,000 for a wheelchair porch lift.
Things That Change the Price
What matters most is the shape of your steps. If they turn a corner or have a flat resting spot partway up (a landing), the metal track the seat runs on has to be shaped to fit them, and that roughly doubles the price.
Length matters next. More steps need more rail, and sellers charge extra once the rail passes about 15 ft 6 in. Plan, too, for a new battery now and then: each one costs $200 to $300 and lasts one to three years, unless the warranty pays.
Some towns want official permission (a building permit) and a check once the lift is in (an inspection), which cost extra. Make sure those fees are in the price you are quoted.
Porch Lift Cost
A porch lift raises a person in a wheelchair up to the level of a deck or front door. Sellers often call it a vertical platform lift. The usual installed price is $12,000 to $18,000.
The lift on its own costs less: one model sells for $4,999 plus delivery. The rest of the bill is the installation, a concrete pad for the lift to stand on, and the wiring.
Ways to Pay for an Outdoor Lift
Don't expect Medicare to pay for a stair lift, because it counts as a home improvement. Medicaid, which covers health costs for people with low incomes, does pay for home changes in some states when they help someone keep living at home. Ask your state Medicaid office whether that applies to you.
If you are a veteran, note that the small Veterans Affairs home grant (called HISA, for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) does not cover porch lifts or stair lifts. Its larger housing grants can help, if you qualify for one.
Common Questions About Outdoor Stair Lift Prices
What does an outdoor stair lift cost?
About $4,810 to $10,500 installed for a straight lift. A curved one is $9,500 to $16,000, because its rail is made to measure.
Why is an outdoor stair lift more expensive than an indoor one?
Every part, from the seat covering to the rail, is made to cope with rain and frost, and that puts the price up by $2,000 to $3,500.
What does a wheelchair porch lift cost?
Most people pay between $12,000 and $18,000, installed. The lift alone starts at about $4,999, before delivery and installation.
Does buying a used outdoor stair lift save you money?
Yes. A used straight lift sells for roughly $1,500 to $3,000, or $2,900 to $4,500 from a dealer who installs it. Used curved lifts are hard to find, because each rail fits one staircase only.