What it really costsA straight indoor stair lift typically costs $2,500 to $5,000 installed in 2026 — most homes land between $3,000 and $4,500. A curved staircase needs a custom-bent rail, which pushes the price to $8,000 to $15,000. Outdoor straight lifts run $3,500 to $7,500 with weatherized hardware.
We install and service Bruno and Harmar stair lifts across East Texas — both brands start around $2,800–$3,000 installed for a standard straight staircase. Every quote we give includes measurement, installation, and a real service department afterward. See our home accessibility equipment, or the owner’s manuals we keep for the equipment we sell.
Why curved costs three times as much
A straight lift uses standard rail sections cut to length. A curved lift’s rail is measured, then custom-fabricated for your exact staircase — every bend, landing, and switchback is built once, for one house. That fabrication is most of the price difference. If your staircase has a turn or intermediate landing, get a site visit before you budget.
What changes the price
The staircase itself
Length, turns, landings, and how much room exists at the top and bottom. If the rail would block a doorway at the bottom, a folding or retractable rail solves it — and adds cost.
Options and capacity
Power swivel seats, power-folding footrests, larger seats, and higher weight capacities each add to the base price. Most riders don’t need every option — a good dealer fits the lift to the rider, not the brochure.
What the quote includes
Compare quotes on the same terms: measurement, delivery, installation, batteries, electrical work, warranty, and service afterward. A low price that excludes installation isn’t a low price.
Stair lift cost by staircase type
Straight stairs, $2,500 to $5,000 installed
A straight flight is the simplest job. The rail is a stock length cut to fit, and most models sit in inventory. Measure, deliver, install, usually in one visit. Most homes land between $3,000 and $4,500.
Curved stairs, $8,000 to $15,000 installed
A turn, a landing, or a bend means the rail has to be manufactured for your staircase and nobody else’s. That rail is most of the difference in price. Plan on a few weeks between the measurement and the first ride.
Outdoor stairs, $3,500 to $7,500 installed
Porch and deck lifts use weatherized hardware and a covered rail to handle East Texas heat and humidity. The lift itself is close to an indoor straight model — the protection around it is what you are paying extra for.
What installation costs
Most stair lift quotes include installation in the price. When a company breaks labor out separately, it usually runs $500 to $2,500 depending on the job.
What moves that number: whether there is a power outlet near the bottom of the stairs, whether the rail needs a folding section to clear a doorway, and whether the staircase curves. Anything that needs an electrician adds a visit.
If installation is not in the quote, you are not comparing the same thing. Ask what is included before you put two numbers side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does installation take?
A straight lift is usually installed in a few hours, in one visit. Curved lifts take longer end-to-end because the rail has to be fabricated first — plan on a few weeks from measurement to riding.
Does Medicare cover a stair lift?
Generally no — Medicare treats stair lifts as home modifications, not durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, and state programs can help. Ask us what applies in Texas before you rule it out.
Do stair lifts work during a power outage?
Yes — modern Bruno and Harmar lifts run on batteries that charge from the rail, so the lift keeps working through an outage until the batteries run down.
Is installation included in the price?
It should be. A complete quote covers the measurement, the lift, the rail, delivery, installation, and the batteries. If your stairs need an outlet added, ask whether that is in the figure or billed separately.
Can I buy a used stair lift?
Straight lifts can often be reconditioned and reinstalled, and that is the cheapest way into a lift. Curved lifts rarely move house, because the rail was bent for one staircase and will not fit another. Availability changes week to week, so ask what is on the floor rather than shopping from a listing.
Talk to Access 2 Mobility before you decide
We’re Access 2 Mobility, East Texas’s largest mobility showroom, in Tyler and serving Longview, Waco, and the surrounding areas. Send us a photo of your staircase and we’ll tell you straight or curved, roughly what it costs, and when we can measure. Contact us here.
