Choose around the person, not the product
A stairlift is usually the simpler choice if you can sit and transfer safely. A home lift becomes more attractive when those transfers are difficult or when a wheelchair needs to move between floors.
A stairlift uses the staircase
That normally means less building work and a lower overall cost. The downside is that you still need to reach the chair, transfer on and off, and deal with whatever space is available at the top and bottom.
A home lift uses floor space
It can offer easier access for wheelchair users, but it needs a suitable vertical route through the building. That may mean losing floor space in two rooms and making structural alterations.
Consider how long the solution needs to work
It can be sensible to think a little ahead. If transferring is already becoming hard, a stairlift that works today may not suit for very long. Equally, there is no need to choose the biggest intervention if a simpler one meets the likely need.
Compare finished costs, not headline prices
For home lifts especially, ask whether the quote includes structural work, electrical work and making good. For stairlifts, check options such as hinged rails, powered swivel seats and warranty cover.
