M-209 Home Systems
Stairlifts and home elevators fitted to your house
A new straight stairlift typically costs $3,000 to $5,500 installed in Toronto and the GTA. A curved one runs $8,500 to $15,000, and a home elevator $25,000 to $70,000 or more, before HST.
- Typical cost
- $3,000–
$5,500 - Timeline
- 4–8 hours (stairlift)
- Permit
- ESA for electrical work
- Prices checked
- 2026
- In-house structural engineering
- Licensed electrical contractors
- Free on-site estimates
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
M-209.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for stairlifts and home elevators
A stairlift runs on a rail along the stairs and is usually installed in a day. A home elevator is a renovation: a floor opening or hoistway, framing, power and finishes. Our engineering department works out the floor opening and the structure, and handles any permit your municipality requires. We only use ECRA/ESA-licensed electrical contractors to perform any electrical work. The same company then finishes the walls and floors around the lift.
TSSA rules in a private house
Ontario’s elevating devices regulation (O. Reg. 209/01) does not apply to devices in a private dwelling house used only by the occupants and their guests, unless the owner asks in writing. In other buildings, stair lifts and platform lifts are regulated device types. We confirm which applies to your home.
M-209.2 Scope
What’s included
- M-209.1Straight stairliftsA chair on a stock rail cut to length for a single straight flight, with batteries.
- M-209.2Curved stairliftsA rail made to measure for stairs with turns or intermediate landings.
- M-209.3Outdoor stairliftsWeather-rated units for porch, deck and side-entrance steps.
- M-209.4Through-floor home liftsA two-stop shaftless lift through a framed and engineered opening in the floor.
- M-209.5Home elevatorsHydraulic, traction or pneumatic elevators in a hoistway, with two or more stops.
- M-209.6Structure, power and finishesFloor openings and hoistways engineered, the circuit wired and the surroundings finished.
M-209.3 Cost guide
What it costs
in Toronto & the GTA
Straight stairlift prices are well documented. Curved lifts and home elevators rest on fewer Canadian sources, so treat those ranges as a guide. Before HST.
New straight stairlift on a single straight flight, installed
A straight stairlift has a lead time of about 7 to 10 days, and a curved one 3 to 6 weeks while the rail is made. Installation takes two installers 4 to 8 hours. A home elevator follows a renovation schedule that depends on the structural work, any permit and the lift’s lead time.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
| Level of work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Straight stairlift, newRail cut from stock, chair, batteries and installation on a single straight flight. | $3,000– |
| Curved stairlift, custom railRail made to measure for stairs with turns or landings, installed. | $8,500– |
| Through-floor home liftShaftless two-stop lift through a floor opening. One Canadian source. | $25,000– |
| Home elevator with hoistwayHydraulic, traction or pneumatic, two or more stops; retrofits can exceed this. One Canadian source. | $30,000– |
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Outdoor stairlift, installed | $5,500– |
| Pre-owned straight stairlift, installed | $2,200– |
| Each additional step beyond a 12-step stair | $80– |
| Each intermediate landing on a curved rail | $500– |
| Power swivel seat | $500– |
Worked examples
- Example 1
Straight stairlift with a power swivel seat
$3,500–$6,400 - Example 2
Curved stairlift on a staircase with one intermediate landing
$9,000–$16,500 - Example 3
Home elevator retrofitted into an existing house, first year with maintenance
$30,500–$72,000
What moves the number
- 01Straight or curved
A straight stairlift runs $3,000 to $5,500 installed. A curved one runs $8,500 to $15,000, because the rail is made for your stairs.
- 02Stair length and landings
Each step beyond a 12-step stair adds $80 to $150, and each intermediate landing on a curved rail adds $500 to $1,500.
- 03Options and pre-owned units
A power swivel seat adds $500 to $900. A pre-owned straight stairlift runs $2,200 to $3,000 or more installed.
- 04Elevator type
A shaftless lift runs $25,000 to $50,000, a hydraulic elevator $30,000 to $60,000 and a pneumatic one $40,000 to $70,000.
- 05Retrofit or new build
An elevator in a new build runs $20,000 to $50,000. Retrofitting one into an existing house runs $30,000 to $70,000 or more.
Rebates, subsidies and tax credits
- Up to $20,000 of expensesHome Accessibility Tax Credit (federal, line 31285)
Non-refundable credit for a qualifying individual: 65 or older at year end, or eligible for the disability tax credit. The work must allow access or mobility or reduce the risk of harm, and be a permanent part of the home. Confirm your device with the CRA.
Program rules
Stairlift ranges are installed prices before HST. Elevator ranges come from one undated Canadian guide; ask what each quote includes for structural work, electrical work and finishes around the lift. Prices checked in 2026. Not a quote: your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Where these numbers come from
- O. Reg. 209/01: Elevating Devices, Government of Ontario (e-Laws) (2026)
- Am I Regulated? (Elevating devices), Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) (2026)
- 2026 Wiring Fee Guide, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (Effective April 1, 2026)
- Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- Line 31285 – Home accessibility expenses, Canada Revenue Agency (2026)
- Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit (2021 and 2022 only), Government of Ontario (archived page; program ended after 2022)
- Published 2026 price guides and GTA contractor price pages (2026)
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your lift installation
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Design + Permits
Our in-house designers model your project in 3D so you can see it and settle every choice. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
We order cabinets, tile, stone, pavers and decking from trusted suppliers such as Unilock, Techo-Bloc, TimberTech and Trex, and schedule deliveries around the work.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
M-209.4 Questions
Questions about stairlifts and home elevators
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How much does a stair lift cost in Toronto?
Typical cost in Toronto and the GTA: $3,000 to $5,500 (New straight stairlift on a single straight flight, installed). By level of work: Straight stairlift, new: $3,000 to $5,500; Curved stairlift, custom rail: $8,500 to $15,000; Through-floor home lift: $25,000 to $50,000; Home elevator with hoistway: $30,000 to $70,000. The shape of the staircase moves the price most: a straight flight takes a stock rail, while turns and landings need a rail made to measure. Home elevators are priced as a renovation, by type, number of stops and the structural work. These are typical ranges, before HST, with prices checked in 2026; your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Does a home stairlift or elevator have to be registered with TSSA?
In a private house, generally no. O. Reg. 209/01 does not apply to elevating devices in private dwelling houses used exclusively by the occupants and their guests, unless the owner requests it in writing. In other buildings, such as multi-unit buildings, stair lifts and platform lifts are regulated devices. Tell us how the house is used and we will confirm which applies.
Is there a tax credit for a stairlift or home elevator?
Possibly: the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit lets a qualifying individual, someone 65 or older at the end of the year or eligible for the disability tax credit, claim up to $20,000 of eligible expenses a year. The work must allow access or mobility in the home or reduce the risk of harm, and generally must become a permanent part of the dwelling. The CRA page does not list specific devices, so confirm your project with the CRA or a tax adviser. Ontario’s Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit applied to 2021 and 2022 only.
Will a stairlift fit my staircase?
A single straight flight takes a stock rail cut to length, which is why straight lifts cost less and arrive sooner. Stairs with a turn or an intermediate landing need a curved rail made to measure. Outdoor steps take an outdoor unit, at $5,500 to $11,000 installed. We measure the stairs at the estimate.
Do I need a building permit for a home elevator?
A through-floor lift or a hoistway cuts into the floor structure, so we confirm the permit requirements with your municipality’s building department before design starts. Our engineers prepare the structural drawings either way. The electrical connection is reported to the Electrical Safety Authority; the 2026 fee for a licensed contractor is $86 for the first piece of equipment, subject to a $92 minimum.
Stairlift or home elevator: which makes sense?
A stairlift is the lower-cost and faster option for someone who can sit and transfer to a seat: $3,000 to $15,000 and a few hours to install. A through-floor lift or elevator moves a person between floors without using the stairs at all, costs $25,000 to $70,000 or more, and involves structural work. We can price both for the same house.
What does upkeep cost?
Published figures put a stairlift service contract at $200 to $400 a year and home elevator maintenance at $500 to $2,000 a year. Ask the supplier what the contract covers and how quickly they respond to a breakdown before you buy.
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