The Most Frequently Asked Questions When Buying a Lift: A Simple Guide

Purchasing a lift for your home or commercial building is a big decision, and it often raises many questions. Whether you’re adding a lift for convenience, accessibility, or future-proofing your space, it’s essential to understand the basics. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions people have when buying a lift to help you get started.

Is the Lift for Inside or Outside?

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.

How Much Space Do You Have for a Lift?

Space is a critical factor when selecting a lift. The available space will help determine the size and type of lift you can install. For example:

• Compact Lifts: Some lifts require very little space (as they don’t require a shaft) such as capsule or platform lifts. These are great options if you’re tight on space, From under 1m² of total space will allow you to install a lift for 2 people. These come in rounded or square shape according to your preference.

• Standard Lifts: Full cabin lift that includes a shaft, needs more space but they offer more comfort and can fit multiple passengers. The best starting option is to get a 1000x1300mm cabin (w*d) with 400kg capacity, this will allow you to fit 4 grown ups or 80% of Wheelchairs in Australia. Even better and highly recommeded as minimum size is a standard wheelchair capacity cabin, which is 1100x1400mm (w*d).

Should you go for a standard wheelchair cabin, the recommended shaft clearance is at least 1800mm², which will give you plenty of options in the market.

Be sure to measure the area where the lift will go, including the footprint (width and depth) and the headroom (distance from the floor to the ceiling on the top level). Knowing these dimensions will help you narrow down your options.

Generally speaking, if you have above 1m² space for your Lift – you will be fine. The more space the better, as this will give you more options.

What Type of Lift Should I Install: Electrical, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Screw and nut drive or other?

The type of lift you choose depends on several factors, including your space, budget, and preferences. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common types:

• Electrical Lifts: These are the most common types of residential and commercial lifts. They run on electricity and are efficient, quiet, and reliable. Electrical lifts are a good fit for most homes and small buildings.
• Hydraulic Lifts: Hydraulic lifts use a piston and fluid to move the cabin up and down. They’re known for their smooth ride and are ideal for buildings with lower headroom since they don’t require a tall overhead space. Hydraulic lifts start at a cheaper price of purchase, but have higher long term maintenance costs.
• Air Lifts (Pneumatic): Air lifts work by using air pressure to lift and lower the cabin. These are great for homes with limited space because they don’t need a machine room or deep pit. They also have a sleek, modern look.
• Screw and Nut Drive Lifts: One log grooved rod that goes through a nut, when the rod turns in one direction, makes the nut travel up, and vice versa. This system works well for short distance travel and for under 500kg total weight, which makes it popular for platform configurations and for scenarios where cutting costs is what matters.

What Are the Dimensions Available for the Lift?

Knowing the dimensions of the available space is key to selecting the right lift. Most lifts need a specific amount of room to function safely and comfortably. You’ll need to provide:

• Width and Depth: How much space do you have for the lift’s footprint?
• Travel Distance: The height between floors or levels.
• Headroom: The height available from the top floor to the ceiling.

Do you need a Lift to Fit a Wheelchair?

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.

What Is Your Budget?

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 $35,000 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.
• Customised or more advanced options, like glass lifts or larger hydraulic lifts, may start at $55,000 or more.
• There is an additional cost you need to add for each additional floor of around $1,200 – $5,000 depending on the lift spec you require.
• A good rule of thumb is to consider that a 2 level lift will start at about $35k, the installation from $20k; you can also expect that your maintenance costs will average $1k per year.
• *This is as of the time of writing, and will change over time

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!