The short version: Through-floor lifts handle wheelchair users and severe mobility limits where stair lifts can’t. $25,000-$50,000 installed. Worth it for users who need wheelchair-to-floor transitions or homes with curved stairs that exceed stair-lift capability.
When a through-floor lift is the right call
A stair lift moves a seated user along the stair. A through-floor lift moves a wheelchair (or seated/standing user) vertically through a hole in the floor.
Use a through-floor lift when:
- The user is a wheelchair user who can’t easily transfer to a stair-lift seat.
- Stairs are spiral or split in a way no stair lift fits.
- The user has multiple mobility constraints requiring continuous wheelchair access.
For most senior users, a stair lift handles the need at lower cost. Through-floor lifts are the answer for the cases stair lifts don’t fit.
Cost
| Configuration | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 2-floor through-floor lift | $25,000-$40,000 |
| Through-floor lift with custom finishes | $35,000-$55,000 |
| Multi-floor home elevator (3+ floors) | $50,000-$100,000+ |
Costs include the lift mechanism, the floor opening, structural reinforcement, electrical, finishing, and permitting.
Brands
US residential through-floor lift market is smaller than stair lifts. Major brands:
- Stiltz: UK origin, popular in US homes for compact footprint
- Pollock: premium home elevators
- Stannah: extends their stair lift lineup with through-floor models
- Symmetry: US dealer network, residential focus
Install timeline
- 2-3 weeks of design and permitting
- 1-2 weeks of structural work (cutting the floor opening)
- 1-2 days of lift mechanism install
- 1-2 days of electrical and finish work
Plan for 4-6 weeks total disruption.
Coverage
- Original Medicare: no.
- Medicaid HCBS: covers in some states for wheelchair users with documented need.
- VA HISA: $6,800 for service-connected disabled veterans.
- VA SAH grant: covers up to about $109,986 for severe service-connected disabilities.
What to do next
If you’re comparing stair lift vs through-floor: see stair lift vs home elevator: how to decide.
For evaluation, hire a CAPS-certified specialist. The structural and code complexity makes a CAPS evaluation essential.