FAQ

Yes – in many cases you can have an elevator with doors that open in different directions depending on the floor. This is called a through-car design, where the lift cabin has doors on adjacent or opposite sides.

It’s a popular choice in:

• Apartments and townhouses – entry from the lobby, exit into a garage.
• Medical centres and aged care – smoother people flow and accessibility.
• Commercial sites – where each floor might face a different corridor or access point.

Accessibility note: If you’re planning a 90-degree side opening (for example, front entry on one floor and a side exit on another), and the lift needs to accommodate wheelchairs, the recommended minimum internal car size is 1400mm x 1400mm. Where possible, aim for 1500mm x 1500mm to give more room for comfortable wheelchair manoeuvring.

In short: It’s definitely possible, but it needs to be allowed for in the shaft and lift design from the start so that space, access, and usability are all optimised.

The space required depends on the lift type, but most compact home lifts in Australia can fit into an area as small as 800mm x 800mm for the lift car and 1000mm * 1000mm for the shaft. However, if you need wheelchair access, the recommended minimum internal car size is 1400mm x 1100mm.

It’s also important to allow for headroom and pit requirements, though many residential lift models today are designed with minimal pit (or even pitless) options to make installation easier in existing homes.

• Residential lifts: Car space minimum 800mm * 800mm | Shaft space 1000mm * 1000mm
• Residential lifts to fit a wheelchair : Car space minimum 1000mm * 1000mm | Shaft space 1400mm * 1000mm
• Residential lifts to fit a wheelchair & with a 90 degree door that needs turning space: Car space minimum 1400mm * 1400mm | Shaft space 1500mm * 1500mm

In short: The smallest lifts can work in very tight spaces, but for comfort and accessibility it’s best to allow extra room where possible.

Yes, most lifts require both a pit (space below the lowest floor) and headroom (space above the top floor).

Lift Pit: This is a recess at the bottom of the shaft that provides space for the lift’s buffer springs and maintenance access.

Residential lifts: The pit is usually 150–300mm deep.

Commercial lifts: The pit is typically deeper, around 1500mm, to meet higher safety and performance requirements.

When a pit is not possible: In some cases, such as post-tension concrete slabs, creating a pit can be very difficult or structurally risky. In these situations, a small ramp or door lip can be used as an alternative solution.

Headroom: This is the clear vertical space above the top landing that allows room for the lift car, its mechanisms, and safe access for servicing.

Residential lifts: Headroom generally ranges from 2300mm – 2800mm.

Commercial lifts: Headroom requirements are larger, usually 4000mm – 4500mm, to accommodate higher speeds and usage.

At Lift Experts, we also offer shallow pit and reduced headroom solutions for sites with space limitations. This means even if your building has constraints, we can still provide a safe and compliant lift solution tailored to your needs.

One of the first questions to consider is whether the lift will be installed inside or outside your building.

Indoor Lifts: These are often preferred for their convenience and seamless integration into a building’s design. Most residential lifts are installed inside the home, but space constraints can sometimes make this difficult. The Ideal situation is when you have an open void where it is easy to make modifications to install your lift, otherwise the challenge is not just to find the right place for the lift, but make more complex modifications to the house, such as floor penetrations and structural reinforcements. In the case of class 2 and class 3 buildings, this will require licensed architects, engineers and builders to adapt the building for the installation. At Lift Experts we are more than happy to give you the step by step process to achieve your project at the lowest cost possible, while achieving the necessary quality of outcome.

Outdoor Lifts: If you don’t have enough room indoors, an exterior lift might be the best solution. Outdoor lifts are built to withstand the elements and can be installed to access multiple levels from the outside of your home. The lift Shaft needs to be made with Galvanised Steel to withstand the elements, especially on the coast of Australia.

Our team of experts have faced every possible scenario in this regard, not only we have a wide range of lift providers, we also have an extensive network of building professional that we are happy to share with you, from architects, builders to engineers, we are happy to provide access to our network with you, so you can achieve your project completions at the lowest possible cost, as fast as possible and with the best possible quality.

If you or a family member uses a wheelchair, it’s essential to choose a lift that accommodates it. A standard passenger lift may not be large enough, so you might need a wheelchair-accessible lift. The Australian building standards recommend a minimum cabin size of 1.1m by 1.4m to comfortably fit a wheelchair.

Additionally, if the entry and exit doors of the lift face different directions, you’ll need extra space for turning the wheelchair inside the lift.

Budget is one of the most important factors when buying a lift. Prices can vary widely depending on the type of lift, the size, and the level of customisation. At Lift Experts, we can work within your budget to find the best solution. We offer options from several manufacturers to ensure you get the most value for your money. For example:

Basic lifts can cost $38,000, but increase to $65,000 depending on the size of the lift, and other factors. If you require a shaft to be built, that will increase the cost, especially if it’s a shaft made of steel and glass for a more architectural lift. Having a shaft made from masonry by your builder is a more cost effective approach.

Commercial Lifts or Lifts with all the bells and whistles, may start at $55,000 or more.
There is an additional cost you need to add for each additional floor of around $5,000 and up depending on if we are supplying the shaft as well as other factors.
A good rule of thumb is to consider that a 2 level lift will start at the cheapest being $38k, the installation from $20k ; you can also expect that your maintenance costs will average $1k per year.

By understanding your needs and budget, we can provide the best 2-3 options for you to choose from.

Choosing the right lift doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By answering these key questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of what type of lift suits your space and budget. If you’re ready to explore your options or need more guidance, feel free to reach out to us at Lift Experts. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

To get an estimate just click here. Its a quick 10 step process that takes under a minute to get a price that will be shown on the screen as well as emailed to you: https://estimate.liftexperts.com.au/

Installing a lift might negatively impact your home’s value if it’s placed in a way that disrupts its natural flow and functionality. Avoid mistakes like cutting off thoroughfares, creating awkward door openings, obstructing visual appeal, blocking light, or sacrificing bedrooms. A Lift Experts professional with the right measuring tools, spatial awareness, and architectural sense can make a significant difference.

Platform lifts or Through Floor Lifts are ideal for optimising cabin space, especially when your overall lift space is limited. Paired with sufficiently wide automatic doors, they offer practicality.

Conversely, if your home already has a lift shaft in place (or your builder can add a lift shaft) an enclosed cabin becomes a superior choice for practical reasons.

Many such factors exist to guide you toward the best alternative for your needs.

Always ensure you request clear instructions from your builder to prepare your site. This should encompass safety measures and any necessary modifications for lift installation. Additionally, allocate sufficient storage and working space for your installer, ensuring seamless access from storage to installation point. Prioritize the protection of your home and request post-installation cleaning. Coordination between your builder, installer, and equipment delivery is key.

Finally, ensure quality control by the manufacturer, verifying the inclusion of all lift components, and provide product manuals and installation support for your installer.

We help the buyer find the best product for his/her unique situation at no cost to you. We source original equipment from up to 10 independent (European and Asian) original equipment manufacturers, and present the best two or three back to you. The reason its only 2 or 3, is to keep the choice simple and to the right budget.

We also give you the option of getting an online quote in under a minute here: https://estimate.liftexperts.com.au/