Choosing the right accessibility solution for your home can greatly improve mobility, safety, and comfort — especially for seniors or people with limited mobility. Two popular options are home lifts/ elevators and stairlifts. While both serve similar purposes, they differ significantly in design, function, and installation.
Here’s a breakdown to help you choose what’s best for your needs:
What is a Home Lift/ Residential elevator?
A home lift from Pollock Residential Elevator is a compact residential elevator designed to carry people between floors in a vertical shaft. It travels vertically, just like a commercial elevator, but is adapted for home use — smaller, quieter, and more energy-efficient.
Benefits of Home Lifts:
- Moves between multiple floors, not just stairs
- Suitable for wheelchairs and caregivers
- Modern, space-saving designs
- Increases home resale value
- Offers a future-proof solution for aging in place
Considerations:
- Requires more space than stairlifts
- Higher installation cost and longer install time
- May need structural modifications
What is a Stairlift?
A stairlift is a sleek sturdy chair motorized for moving up and down the rail installed on the stairs. It’s ideal for people who can sit and transfer independently but struggle with climbing stairs. Handicare/ Savaria offers one of the best, sturdy and reliable stairlifts across Canada.
Benefits of Stairlifts:
- Quick and easy installation (often in a day)
- Minimal structural changes
- Affordable compared to home elevators
- Can be fitted to straight or curved staircases
What is a Straight Stairlift?
A Straight Stairlift from Savaria/ Handicare is designed for staircases with no turns or landings — a single, straight flight of stairs. It’s the most common and cost-effective option. These stairlifts are for both indoor and outdoor applications.
What is the Straight Stairlift Price?
The straight stairlift price from Savaria/ Handicare in Canada typically ranges from $3,750 to $6,500 CAD, depending on:
- Brand and model
- Optional features (swivel seat, folding rail)
- Length of staircase
- Installation complexity
Straight Stairlift Canada suppliers often include installation and warranty in the price. Reconditioned models may start as low as $2,500 CAD.
Homelift vs. Stairlift: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Home lift | Straight Stairlift |
| Travel Direction | Vertical (between floors) | Along the stairs (angled) |
| Ideal For | Wheelchair users, heavy loads | Seniors with mobility issues |
| Installation Time | 3–4 days | 4-5 hours |
| Structural Requirements | Moderate to high | Low |
| Cost (Canada) | $35,000–$42,000+ CAD | $3,750–$6,500 CAD |
| Adds Home Value | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited impact |
🏡 Which One is Right for You?
- Choose a straight stairlift from Savaria/ Handicare if you want a fast, affordable solution for a standard staircase.
- Choose a Pollock Residential Elevator/ home lift if you need wheelchair access, are planning long-term aging-in-place, or want to future-proof a multi-level home.
Looking for a Straight Stairlift/ Residential Elevator in Canada?
At Cairo Contracting Ltd., we help homeowners across Canada find the perfect lift solution. Our team of certified and experienced professionals are always a phone call away to schedule a meeting to compare the straight stairlift price or exploring home lift/ residential elevator options, our team will guide you every step of the way.
📞 Contact us today for a free home assessment and quote!
