Before Installation Day

Before we arrive, there are a few things worth knowing about what's already happened behind the scenes and what you can do to prepare.

Your staircase has already been assessed. During your free home assessment, we measured your staircase, checked the layout, identified the best position for the rail, and confirmed which stairlift model suits your home. For a straight stairlift, this information is all we need to prepare your installation. For a curved stairlift, detailed measurements were taken so the rail could be custom manufactured to the exact shape of your staircase.

You'll have a confirmed installation date. We'll schedule a time that suits you. For straight stairlifts, this is often within days of your order. For curved stairlifts, there's a manufacturing period of approximately four weeks before the custom rail is ready, and we'll book your installation date as soon as the rail is confirmed for delivery.



Preparing your home. There's very little you need to do. Make sure the staircase is clear of any items — shoes, bags, ornaments, or anything stored on the steps. If there are pictures or decorations hanging on the staircase wall close to where the rail will run, it's worth moving them beforehand, though our installer will let you know if anything needs to be shifted. Ensure there's a power point accessible near the top or bottom of the staircase — this is where the stairlift's charging unit will plug in.

What Happens on Installation Day

Here's what the process looks like from start to finish.

Arrival and walkthrough. Our installer will arrive at the scheduled time and do a quick walkthrough with you to confirm the plan. They'll check the staircase, confirm the rail position, and answer any last-minute questions you have before starting work.

Protecting your home. The installer will lay down dust sheets to protect your flooring and staircase carpet. Stairlift installation is a clean job — there's no plaster dust, no heavy drilling into walls, and no painting required — but we protect your home as a matter of course.

Fitting the rail. The rail is fixed directly to the stair treads, not to the wall. This is an important point that surprises a lot of people. Because the rail attaches to the steps themselves, there's no need to drill into walls, plaster, or masonry. The fixings go into the stair treads using standard brackets, and the rail sits close to one side of the staircase.

For a straight stairlift, the rail arrives as a standard length and is cut to fit your staircase on site. For a curved stairlift, the rail arrives pre-manufactured to the exact shape of your staircase and is fitted in sections.

Mounting the carriage and seat. Once the rail is secured, the motorised carriage is fitted onto the rail, followed by the seat unit. The seat, armrests, and footrest are all attached, adjusted, and tested for smooth operation.

Electrical connection. The stairlift runs on rechargeable batteries, not mains power. A small charging unit is plugged into a standard power point near the top or bottom of the staircase. The stairlift charges its batteries automatically whenever it's parked at a charge point. This means the stairlift still works during a power outage — there's enough stored battery power for multiple trips even if the electricity goes out.

Testing. The installer runs the stairlift through its full range of travel multiple times, checking that everything operates smoothly, the safety sensors respond correctly, the swivel seat locks and unlocks properly, and the seatbelt functions as it should.

Clean up. The installer packs up all packaging and materials, removes the dust sheets, and leaves your home clean and tidy. There's no waste left behind for you to deal with.

How Long Does It Take?

A straight stairlift installation typically takes two to four hours from start to finish. A curved stairlift installation takes half a day to a full day depending on the complexity of the staircase — more turns and landings mean more rail sections to fit and align.



During installation, the staircase will be partially blocked while the rail is being fitted. If anyone else in the household needs to use the stairs during this time, the installer can usually accommodate short breaks in the work to let people pass. If this is a concern, let us know when booking and we'll plan around it.

Your Handover and Training

Once the installation is complete and everything has been tested, the installer will sit down with you — and anyone else who'll be using the stairlift — for a full demonstration and training session. This covers how to operate the stairlift using the toggle control, how to use the seatbelt, how to operate the swivel seat at the top of the stairs for safe entry and exit, how to fold and unfold the seat, armrests, and footrest, how to use the remote controls to send the stairlift to the top or bottom when it's not in use, and what the diagnostic display means if it shows any messages.



The installer won't leave until you're completely comfortable using the stairlift on your own. There's no rush — they'll walk you through it as many times as you need.

Will It Damage My Stairs or Home?

This is one of the most common concerns, and the answer is no — not in any meaningful way. The rail is fixed to the stair treads with brackets, which means small screw holes in the treads. If the stairlift is ever removed in the future, these holes can be easily filled and are typically hidden by carpet or a simple touch-up.



No walls are drilled. No structural changes are made. No redecorating is needed. The only visible additions to your home are the rail, the seat unit, and a small charging unit plugged into a power point.

What About Narrow Staircases?

If you have a narrow staircase, you might be worried about whether the stairlift will block the stairs for other people. Our stairlifts feature a slim folding design — the seat, armrests, and footrest all fold flat against the wall when not in use, leaving the staircase clear for other household members to walk past. Even on narrow staircases, there's usually enough clearance for someone to pass comfortably when the stairlift is folded.



For more on this, read our guide on stairlifts for narrow staircases in Sydney.

After Installation

Once your stairlift is in and you're using it daily, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Keep it charging. When you're not using the stairlift, park it at one of the charge points — usually at the top or bottom of the rail. This keeps the batteries topped up and ready to go.

Keep the stairs clear. Items left on the stairs can trigger the safety sensors and stop the stairlift mid-journey.

Book a service. We recommend an annual service to keep your stairlift in top condition. Read our stairlift maintenance and servicing guide for more on what routine care involves.



Call us if anything seems off. If the ride feels different, you hear an unusual sound, or the display shows a message you're not sure about, give us a call. Most issues are minor and easily resolved.

Areas We Service

Bespoke Mobility installs stairlifts across all of Sydney and NSW, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and regional QLD. Visit our areas we service page for full details on the regions we cover.

Book Your Free Home Assessment

If you're considering a stairlift, the first step is a free home assessment. We'll visit your property, measure your staircase, and walk you through exactly what the installation would involve in your home — no obligation, no pressure.

Call us on 1300 495 572, email info@bespokemobility.com.au, or fill in our contact form.

Bespoke Mobility is an NDIS registered provider, DVA approved, and the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts — winner of UK Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.