By the Home Lifts UK: Expert Buyer Guides & Honest Reviews Team · Updated May 2026 · Independent, reader-supported

Gartec vs Stiltz vs Terry Lifts: Side-by-Side Comparison UK (2025)

If you're considering a home lift to improve accessibility or property value, three names dominate the UK market: Gartec, Stiltz, and Terry Lifts. Each takes a different approach to design, cost, and installation, and choosing between them depends on your space, budget, and specific needs. This comparison cuts through the marketing to show what actually differs.

Quick Specs Comparison

| Feature | Gartec | Stiltz | Terry Lifts | |---------|--------|--------|------------| | Price band | £30k–£50k | £20k–£35k | £35k–£55k | | Footprint | ~1.4m sq | ~0.9m sq | ~1.5m sq | | Drive system | Hydraulic | Screw/electric | Hydraulic | | Typical rise | 3–12m | 3–15m | 3–14m | | Installation time | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 3–6 weeks | | Warranty (standard) | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years | | Annual servicing | £300–500 | £150–250 | £350–600 |

Gartec: The Established Choice

Gartec holds around 40% of the UK home lift market and is the oldest player here. Their lifts use hydraulic drive systems—oil pressure lowers and raises the cabin—which is smooth and reliable if properly maintained.

What works: Gartec lifts feel solid. Hydraulic systems are time-tested; there's less novelty risk. They handle heavier loads comfortably and feel less "budget" than some competitors. Five-year warranty is standard, and parts availability is good across the UK. They're popular in period properties where a traditional aesthetic matters.

Trade-offs: Hydraulics require annual servicing to manage oil condition and seal wear. The footprint is moderate—around 1.4m square inside the shaft—which is acceptable but not minimal. Installation takes 2–4 weeks because of the hydraulic system complexity. Upfront cost sits in the middle-to-upper range.

Best for: Listed buildings, larger homes, owners who prioritise reliability over installation speed, and those happy to budget for servicing.

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Stiltz: The Space-Saver

Stiltz home lifts use a screw-and-motor mechanism instead of hydraulics. The cabin is lifted by a rotating screw thread beneath it—simpler mechanically, and it shows in both cost and footprint.

What works: Stiltz is genuinely compact. Their footprint averages 0.9m square, making them feasible in homes where Gartec would be tight. Installation is quick—often 1–2 weeks—because there's no hydraulic plumbing to route. Servicing is minimal and cheaper (£150–250 annually), mostly visual checks and lubrication. The entry price point is lower, making them tempting for budget-conscious buyers.

Trade-offs: The screw-drive is less well-established in the UK market, so parts and service engineers are patchier outside major cities. Warranty is 3 years standard (shorter than competitors). The mechanism is audible—you'll hear the motor and screw working, which some people find acceptable and others don't. Screw drives also don't suit very heavy loads or frequent use as well as hydraulics.

Best for: Compact spaces, quick installation timelines, owners with modest mobility needs, budget-first buyers, and those in urban areas with established Stiltz service networks.

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Terry Lifts: The Premium Option

Terry Lifts are the newest major player and position themselves at the premium end. They also use hydraulic systems but with a focus on bespoke design and after-sales service.

What works: Terry customises heavily. If your shaft is an awkward shape or rise is unusual, Terry will often accommodate it. Their after-sales reputation is strong—personal service contacts, responsive engineers, flexible maintenance packages. Hydraulic reliability applies here too. Warrant is 5 years, and they're explicit about long-term support.

Trade-offs: You pay for customisation. Typical installations run £35k–£55k, often at the upper end if your requirements aren't standard. The footprint is the largest of the three (around 1.5m square) because of customisation tolerance. Installation is slower—3–6 weeks—partly because of bespoke engineering. Annual servicing costs are highest.

Best for: Non-standard spaces, owners who value personal service and customisation, larger homes, those planning to stay long-term and want a supplier who'll be responsive in year 5–10.

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Feature Breakdown: What Actually Matters

Drive noise: Gartec and Terry are quiet (hydraulic hum). Stiltz is noticeably audible. If your lift sits near a bedroom, this matters.

Installation disruption: Stiltz wins here by weeks. Hydraulic systems require more structural intervention and plumbing.

Long-term servicing costs: Stiltz cheapest, Gartec mid, Terry priciest over 10 years. Budget £3k–6k total over a decade for any of them.

Load capacity: All handle standard use (one person plus light goods). Gartec hydraulics have a slight edge for heavier repeated use.

Space efficiency: Stiltz is notably smaller. If your available shaft is tight, it might be the only option.

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Recommendation by Homeowner Profile

Budget-first (under £30k limit): Stiltz is your realistic only option. Accept some noise and slightly less established support infrastructure.

Space-constrained flat/townhouse: Stiltz. The 0.9m footprint often fits where competitors don't.

Period property, plenty of budget: Gartec. Reliability, aesthetics, and established UK supply chain.

Non-standard requirements (awkward shaft, unusual rise, custom finishes): Terry. You'll pay, but they'll make it work.

Wants everything except budget: Terry for customisation, Gartec as a solid second.

Plans to stay 15+ years, wants responsive support: Terry's personal service model pays off over time.

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Final Thoughts

There's no objectively "best" lift among these three—only the best fit for your situation. Gartec dominates because they're reliable and familiar. Stiltz appeals to space-constrained buyers and those willing to sacrifice some traditions for faster installation and lower running costs. Terry Lifts attract people who value customisation and personal service enough to justify premium pricing.

Get quotes from all three. Installation surveys are free, and they reveal specifics about your property that drastically affect price and feasibility. A survey might show that your space suits only Stiltz, or that a Terry custom solution is only £2k more than Gartec once you account for structural work. Those details matter more than any general comparison.