What is a wheelchair lift?
A wheelchair lift is an accessibility lift with a flat, open or enclosed platform large enough to take a wheelchair and its occupant together. The user simply rolls on, the platform rises, and they roll off at the next level — no standing, no transferring to a seat, and no need for a carer to lift anyone. That single feature is what separates a wheelchair lift from a stairlift, and it is why it is the right choice for anyone who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter day to day.
Types of wheelchair lift
Wheelchair lifts come in two broad forms, for both domestic and commercial settings:
- Short-rise (step) lifts — for a small change in level, such as a few steps at an entrance or between split levels. They rise a short distance on an open platform and suit shopfronts, surgeries and homes with a stepped threshold.
- Vertical platform lifts — for a full floor-to-floor rise. These carry a wheelchair between storeys and can be open or fully enclosed. In a home this is often a through-floor lift; in a commercial building it is a vertical platform lift.
Wheelchair lift vs stairlift vs through-floor lift
The right option depends on who is travelling and how far:
| Carries a wheelchair? | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Stairlift | No — seated user only | A person who can transfer to a seat; tight budgets |
| Short-rise wheelchair lift | Yes | A few steps at an entrance or between levels |
| Through-floor lift (home) | Yes | Full floor-to-floor access in a house |
| Vertical platform lift (commercial) | Yes | Floor-to-floor access in a public or commercial building |
Our platform lift vs stairlift guide compares the seated and wheelchair options in more detail.
How much does a wheelchair lift cost, and can it be funded?
Like any lift, a wheelchair lift is priced to the property — the rise, the setting and the finish are the main factors, and our cost guide explains what drives the figure. The good news is that funding is often available. For a home, the means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant can contribute up to £30,000 where the lift is needed for a disabled person, and mobility lifts installed at home are usually zero-rated for VAT. For a commercial building, the cost sits against a legal duty to provide access under the Equality Act.
Real wheelchair lift installations
Real OnLevel installations. See the full gallery.
Wheelchair lifts and the law
For a commercial or public building, a wheelchair lift is a recognised way to meet Part M of the Building Regulations and the reasonable-adjustment duty under the Equality Act 2010. An OnLevel wheelchair lift is certified to EN 81-41, meets the Part M 850×850mm platform minimum and aligns with BS 8300:2018. In a home there is no legal requirement, but the same standards give you a lift that is safe, dependable and built to carry a wheelchair user with confidence. Ask us which wheelchair lift suits your building.
Find a platform lift installer in your area
We install and service OnLevel platform lifts across England, with dedicated local pages for hundreds of towns. Explore the areas we cover — including London, Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Essex — or browse the full list of locations across the UK.
Request a no-obligation quotation
Every property is different, so the surest way to a firm figure is to tell us about your project — the property, the floors you need to serve and what you want to achieve. Send us those details and our SafeContractor-accredited team will prepare a written, no-obligation quotation. Request your quotation on our contact form, or see the areas we cover across the UK.