Handicare Stairlifts for Straight and Curved Stairs
Choosing a Handicare stairlift starts with your staircase and the person who will use it. The Stairlift Store helps homeowners and families in Hamilton and selected Southern Ontario communities compare the Handicare 1100 for straight stairs and Freecurve for stairs with turns. We assess fit, configuration and current availability before confirming a quote.
- 30+ years in business
- 1,000+ stairlifts installed
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Compare Handicare Stairlift Models
The 1100 and Freecurve serve different staircase layouts. Start with the route the chair needs to follow, then compare the seat, rail and powered features that may help the user board, travel and get off.
| What to compare | Handicare 1100 | Handicare Freecurve |
|---|---|---|
| Staircase route | A single straight indoor flight | Indoor stairs with bends, turns or a landing requiring a curved route |
| Rail and drive | Straight rail with a friction-drive system | Custom single-tube curved rail with rack-and-pinion drive |
| Charging | Continuous charging along the rail | Charging at the top and bottom charging points |
| Features to discuss | Powered seat swivel, powered folding footrest and rail arrangements near doorways | Seat design, powered swivel or footrest options, rail route and parking position |
| What needs assessment | Stair width, seated clearance, landing space, user fit and the chosen rail options | Turns, landing and transfer space, seat configuration and the full custom rail route |
Features depend on the selected configuration. Ask us about a suitable model and current availability; a manufacturer specification alone does not confirm that a particular unit or option can be supplied for your home.
Handicare 1100 for Straight Stairs
The Handicare 1100 is an indoor straight stairlift with a friction-drive system and continuous charging along the rail. It is worth comparing when the stairs run in one uninterrupted flight and you want to understand the effect of rail position, folded clearance and powered features.
A powered swivel seat or folding footrest may reduce the manual movement needed to use those features. Where the rail would extend into a doorway or walkway, discuss the available rail arrangements, including slide-track or hinged-rail options, for the proposed configuration.
The assessment checks the space occupied by the seated user as well as the chair. A slim rail or folded chair dimension on its own does not establish that the lift will fit.
View the Handicare 1100 specifications.
Handicare Freecurve for Stairs with Turns
The Handicare Freecurve is an indoor curved stairlift with a custom single-tube rail. It can be considered when the route needs to follow bends, turns or a landing between flights.
Planning includes the full journey: where the chair starts, how it follows the turns, where it parks and how the user transfers at each end. Seat designs and powered functions vary by configuration, so these choices should be considered together with the rail route.
A curved rail is made for a particular staircase. The shape of another home’s stairs, its landing space and its parking arrangement may require a different rail even when the chair model is the same.
View the Handicare Freecurve specifications.
Handicare 1000 Manufacturer Information
Handicare also lists the 1000 as a straight stairlift. It uses rack-and-pinion drive and charges at the ends of the rail, giving it different features to compare with the 1100.
If you are considering this model, review the manufacturer’s Handicare 1000 information and ask us whether a suitable unit and configuration can be sourced. Supply and suitability need to be confirmed before it forms part of your quote.
Will a Handicare Stairlift Fit Your Home
Fit depends on the staircase, the rail arrangement and the user's seated position. The assessment should check the whole route rather than relying on a single width measurement.
| Part of the assessment | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Straight flight, turns and landings | Determines which rail routes can be considered and whether a continuous curved journey is needed |
| Space with the user seated | Knees, feet, seat position and the space needed by other stair users affect usable clearance |
| Top and bottom landings | The user needs an appropriate place to board, swivel and get off |
| Nearby doors and walkways | Rail ends, parking positions and folding or retracting options can affect access |
| Seat, controls and powered features | Compare transfer needs, control reach and whether swivelling or folding features can be managed comfortably |
| Weight rating and configuration | The exact unit, seat, rail and staircase arrangement need to meet the user's requirements |
| Charging and power access | The charging arrangement and a suitable power supply need to be planned for the selected model |
Tell us about any difficulty sitting, standing, turning or using the controls so those needs can be considered during the assessment. Individual suitability needs to be checked before ordering.
For more help, explore stairlifts for narrow stairs or compare straight and curved stairlift choices.
Handicare and Savaria Stairlift Options
Handicare is part of Savaria, but the models retain different rail systems, drive arrangements, seats and options. The useful comparison is between the configurations that fit your home and can be supplied with appropriate installation and support.
For straight stairs, you may also want to compare the Savaria K2 or K2 Plus with a suitable Handicare option. Our Savaria stairlift options page explains those models in more detail. You can also compare stairlift brands before narrowing down your choice.
Handicare Stairlift Prices and Quote Inclusions
Your Handicare stairlift price depends on the model and condition, rail, staircase layout, powered options and installation requirements. A written quote should identify the actual equipment and work being proposed for your home.
For general budgeting across stairlift brands, our installed planning ranges are approximately CAD $2,000–$5,000+ for straight stairlifts and CAD $10,000–$15,000+ for curved stairlifts. These are broad category estimates covering different models and conditions. A Handicare model price needs an assessment and a written quote; suitable pre-owned curved equipment can also fall below the general curved range.
Compare quotes on the same basis:
| Check in the written quote | Details to confirm |
|---|---|
| Model and condition | The exact model, whether it is new or pre-owned, and the agreed seat and capacity configuration |
| Rail and route | Rail length, turns, parking positions, fittings and any folding or retracting arrangement |
| Powered options | Which features are standard, which are optional and their individual costs |
| Delivery and installation | The work included, testing, user demonstration and any travel charge |
| Other work | Any electrical work, site preparation or removal of an existing lift, and who is responsible |
| Warranty and later costs | Components, labour, batteries, service-call coverage and charges after the included period |
| Final amount | Applicable taxes, the total payable, payment schedule and quote validity |
Our stairlift prices and installed-cost estimates guide gives more detail on new and pre-owned budgets and the factors that affect cost.
New and Pre-Owned Handicare Availability
Ask about new and pre-owned Handicare choices that suit your staircase. Availability depends on the model, unit condition, parts support, rail compatibility and the configuration required for the user.
A lower equipment price needs to be considered alongside the cost of preparing and installing the lift. For a pre-owned unit, establish what inspection, replacement components, rail work and written warranty are included. Curved rails need particular assessment because a rail fitted to one staircase may not work on another.
If the need may be temporary, ask about rental as well as purchase. Rental suitability depends on staircase fit, the hire period, service area and available equipment; confirm the model, setup, installation, removal and extension terms in the quote.
Explore pre-owned stairlift options or stairlift rental options.
Handicare Installation and Warranty
Installation follows the agreed model, rail and configuration. The assessment and written quote should establish the proposed route, power access, preparation and any separate work before fitting is arranged. The fitting process includes testing and a demonstration of the agreed equipment.
Ask about timing once the unit and rail requirements are known, particularly for a custom curved route. Read about our stairlift installation process.
The Stairlift Store Dealer Coverage
For new and pre-owned stairlifts supplied and installed by The Stairlift Store, our dealer coverage includes a lifetime warranty on the motor, gearbox and rail, plus free service calls during the first year from installation.
Ask for the written terms covering labour, batteries, other components, exclusions and later visits. The money-back offer is separate: ask about our 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee for straight stairlifts. That guarantee applies to the straight-stairlift offer.
See our warranty questions and confirm the coverage for your exact unit before purchase.
Handicare Manufacturer Coverage
Savaria’s current North America warranty lists 24 months of parts coverage for Handicare stairlifts, starting from factory or distribution shipment. It has purchase, installation and maintenance conditions, applies to the original purchaser and is nontransferable. Labour and batteries are among the exclusions.
Manufacturer terms and The Stairlift Store’s dealer coverage are separate. For a pre-owned lift, establish the dealer coverage in writing rather than assuming that the original manufacturer’s warranty transfers with the equipment.
Read the applicable manufacturer warranty terms for the full conditions.
Local Experience and a Practical Home Assessment
The Stairlift Store has 30+ years in business and has installed 1,000+ stairlifts. Mark Glenney brings 30+ years of industry experience to the discussion about your home, the equipment and the choices available.
The assessment gives you a chance to discuss how the user will board, sit, reach the controls and get off, as well as how the rail and parked chair will affect the household. It also helps establish which model, condition and powered features are worth including in a quote.
We serve Hamilton and selected Southern Ontario communities. Check our service area and read our customer reviews to learn about the company and customers’ experiences.
Get a Handicare Stairlift Assessment
Tell us your town, confirm whether the lift is for indoor stairs, and describe whether the stairs are straight or have turns or landings. Let us know whether you are considering new or pre-owned equipment. Mention any nearby doors, limited landing space or features the user may find difficult to operate. If the need is temporary, include the expected length of use.
We can discuss the next assessment step and check suitable Handicare options and current availability for your home.
