Perch Stairlifts: Who They Suit, Models and Prices
Key points
- A perch stairlift lets you ride half standing, leaning against a raised seat, instead of sitting down fully.
- It suits people who find it hard or painful to bend their knees or hips to sit down and stand up again.
- Perch models cost from £1,795 for straight stairs and from £5,895 for curved stairs, fully fitted and including VAT.
- You need to be able to stand steadily for the ride. We check this, and your stairs, at a free home survey.
What is a perch stairlift?
A perch stairlift, also called a sit-stand or standing stairlift, has a small raised seat that you lean against rather than sit on. You stand on the footplate with your legs almost straight, rest your weight on the perch seat, hold the handles and ride up or down the stairs in a half standing position.
Each perch model runs on the same rail as the seated version of that lift. The perch seat has some limits of its own, such as how steep the stairs can be, so our surveyor checks it against your staircase.
Who a perch stairlift suits
A perch seat is for people who can stand and walk but struggle with the movement of sitting down and getting up again. It is often a good fit if you:
- Have stiff or painful knees or hips that make bending difficult
- Find it hard to stand up from a low seat without help
- Can stand steadily for a minute or two while holding on
- Would rather not sit right down for a short journey
Some people also find a perch seat useful where a staircase leaves little room for a seated rider’s knees. Whether that applies to your stairs is something our surveyor measures at your visit.
When a perch seat is not the right choice
A perch lift asks more of your legs and balance than a seated lift, so it is not for everyone. A standard seat is usually safer if you:
- Feel unsteady or dizzy when standing
- Tire quickly on your feet or need to be fully supported
- Have a condition that may make standing harder over time
- Are close to or above the weight limit of the perch model
A perch seat also does not save space on the stairs. Folded up, the Handicare 1000 Perch sits about 385 mm from the wall, the same as the standard seat. If folded width is your main concern, see our guide to stairlifts for narrow stairs.
If bending is the problem but standing is not safe, a standard seat with a powered swivel and footrest can help. It turns you to face the landing and folds the footrest for you, so there is less bending at each end.
Compare prices for your stairsTell us about your staircase and we will call you with a guide price.
Perch stairlift models we fit
| Model | Stairs | Worth knowing | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks 130 sit-stand | Straight | Our lowest-cost perch model, new or reconditioned | £1,795 |
| Handicare 1000 Perch | Straight | Up to 136 kg (about 21 stone); adjustable perch height; indoor use | £1,995 recon, £3,195 new |
| Handicare 4000 with perch seat | Curved | Twin rail built for tight bends and landings | £5,895 new |
Brooks 130 sit-stand. The sit-stand version of the slim Brooks 130, the same lift as our popular Acorn 130. It is the most affordable way to get a perch stairlift on a straight staircase, and we can supply it new or reconditioned.
Handicare 1000 Perch. The perch version of the Handicare 1000. The manufacturer rates it for users up to 136 kg, about 21 stone, on stairs between 27 and 45 degrees, and the perch height adjusts between about 675 and 875 mm above the footplate so it can be set for your height.
Handicare 4000 with perch seat. For curved stairs, the twin-rail Handicare 4000 is available with a perch seat. Its rail is made to measure and can be bent tightly around turns and landings. The perch seat costs the same as the standard seat, from £5,895 new.
Perch stairlift prices
| Type | From |
|---|---|
| Perch stairlift, straight stairs | £1,795 |
| Perch stairlift, curved stairs | £5,895 new |
All prices are starting prices, fully fitted and including VAT, with a parts and labour warranty: 3 years on new, 2 years on reconditioned. A straight perch lift costs a little more than our cheapest seated model, the reconditioned Acorn 130 from £1,595. A curved perch lift costs more because the rail is made for your staircase alone, which our curved stairlift cost guide explains.
You may be able to buy without VAT if you have a long-term illness or disability (GOV.UK: VAT relief), and your council may help through a Disabled Facilities Grant. See our stairlift price guide and stairlift grants guide for both.
Choosing at your survey
At a free home survey we measure your staircase, check the space at the top and bottom, and talk through how you get on with sitting and standing. If a perch seat looks right, we can show you how it works and set the perch height for you at installation. If a seated lift would be safer, we will say so and quote for that instead.
To compare every model side by side, see our stairlift comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is a perch stairlift?
A stairlift with a small raised seat that you lean against while standing, instead of sitting down fully. It suits people who find it hard to bend their knees or hips.
How much does a perch stairlift cost?
From £1,795 for straight stairs and from £5,895 new for curved stairs, fully fitted and including VAT.
Can you get a perch stairlift for curved stairs?
Yes. The Handicare 4000 is available with a perch seat on a made-to-measure curved rail, from £5,895 new.
Is a perch stairlift safe?
Yes, for people who can stand steadily for the ride. If you feel unsteady or dizzy when standing, a seated lift with a seatbelt is the safer choice. We check this at your survey.
Does a perch stairlift take up less room on the stairs?
Not when folded. The Handicare 1000 Perch folds to about 385 mm from the wall, the same as the standard seat.
What is the weight limit of a perch stairlift?
The Handicare 1000 Perch is rated for users up to 136 kg, about 21 stone. For heavier users, a heavy duty seated lift is usually the better option.
Get a fixed price for your stairsBook a free home survey. We measure your staircase, compare the models that fit and give you a fixed written price, with no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call us on 07534 654944.