The most common question we get surrounding homelifts is regarding the installation process. Many assume that the installation of a homelift is complex and can cause a lot of disruption in the home, but this is far from the truth.
There are many different types of home lifts available, including hydraulic, traction, vacuum, non-hydraulic, platform lifts, and home elevators. Each of these lift types has unique installation requirements and is suitable for different homes. For example, non-hydraulic home lifts, like the Stiltz home lift, have the smallest footprint and are ideal for a small home, while outdoor lifts are a practical solution when there is not enough room inside the house. Some models, such as platform lifts and home elevators, can be installed as outdoor lifts, but may require planning permission depending on your property and local regulations.
Home lifts can be installed in a variety of locations, including stairwell voids, living rooms, or even discreet spaces such as an airing cupboard or wardrobe, making them a great choice for small homes where space is at a premium. Compact models are designed to blend seamlessly with your home decor and can be tailored to fit your needs.
When it comes to installation and building work, site preparation and preparation work are important steps. A qualified technician or professional builder will assess the best location for the lift, considering enough room, floor-to-ceiling heights, and any necessary structural modifications. Most installations require only minor adjustments to the existing space, and the process typically takes between 2 days and 1 week.
Cost is a key consideration for any home lift installation. Lift prices vary depending on the type of lift, how many floors it will serve, installation complexity, and customisation options. For example, hydraulic home lifts cost between £23,000 and £28,000, traction home lifts may cost around £28,000 – £33,000, vacuum home lifts start from around £28,000, and non-hydraulic home lifts can start as low as £15,000 for installation. The typical starting cost for entry-level through-floor lifts in the UK is around £14,000 to £17,000. Additional costs may include building work and ongoing maintenance.
Safety features such as obstruction sensors and battery backup are standard in modern home lifts and are checked during safety inspections. Regular maintenance, typically once or twice a year, is essential for the safety and reliability of your lift, and most home lifts require at least annual maintenance.
Installing a home lift can increase a property’s market value by up to 25%, help individuals maintain independence, and improve quality of life. Home lifts provide a safe alternative to stairs for those with limited mobility, reduce the risk of falls, and make it easier to transport heavy items or accommodate standard wheelchairs. Models like the Trio+ are specifically designed for wheelchair users.
The installation of vertical rails is essential for the stability of the lift system, and non-hydraulic home lifts travel on self-supporting rails. Stiltz home lifts, for example, can be installed almost anywhere in your home without the need for load-bearing walls due to their dual-rail design. The Duo+ Home Lift is designed for individuals or couples, transporting two people between floors in under 30 seconds, while the Trio+ model is larger, with a small footprint of 1.25m2, and can comfortably carry three people or a wheelchair and up to two standing users. Cibes home lifts can be installed without a lift pit, reducing the amount of construction work needed.
Maybe you’re thinking about purchasing a residential lift, and you might want to have some idea of the installation process before you decide if it’s the right home mobility solution for you?
In this article, we aim to provide you with a simple guide that takes you through what to expect with your homelift installation.
Introduction to Domestic Lifts
Domestic lifts, often referred to as home lifts, are innovative solutions designed to improve accessibility and convenience within residential properties. Whether you live in a family home, a compact apartment, or a multi-storey house, domestic lifts can make moving between multiple floors effortless and safe. Thanks to advancements in technology, today’s home lift options are more compact, energy-efficient, and affordable than ever before, making them accessible to a wider range of homeowners across the UK.
One of the most significant developments in the market is the rise of non-hydraulic home lifts. These lifts operate on self-supporting rails and do not require a traditional lift shaft or a separate machine room, which means they can fit seamlessly into tight spaces and existing homes with minimal building work. Many non-hydraulic lifts can be powered by a standard household socket, offering low energy requirements and reducing installation costs. Their compact design allows for installation in areas such as stairwell voids, airing cupboards, or even rooms with limited space, making them ideal for both new builds and older properties.
Through floor lifts are particularly popular for their flexibility, as they can be installed almost anywhere in the home without the need for a load-bearing wall. This makes them a future-proof choice for homeowners looking to improve accessibility and add value to their property. For wheelchair users, a dedicated wheelchair lift or residential elevator can provide the freedom to move independently between floors, accommodating standard wheelchairs and offering peace of mind for families.
Safety is a top priority in modern home lift design. Features such as air pressure sensors, emergency stop buttons, and battery backup systems ensure that the lift operates safely, even in the event of a power cut. Many lifts also include transparent panels to allow natural light into the lift car, enhancing comfort and visibility.
With a wide range of home lift options available on the market, from compact homelifts to larger residential elevators, homeowners can choose a solution that fits their needs, budget, and the unique layout of their property. Professional builders and lift installation experts can help assess your home, plan the installation, and ensure that your new lift is working correctly and fits seamlessly into your living space.
By investing in a domestic lift, you not only improve accessibility and convenience but also future-proof your home, making it a more comfortable and inclusive space for everyone. Whether you’re planning for the long term or seeking immediate solutions for mobility challenges, a home lift can offer the freedom, safety, and peace of mind you deserve.
Ready to transform your home with a hassle-free lift installation? Get in touch with our expert team today and take the first step towards effortless mobility and comfort!
How long does a homelift installation take?
The actual time to install a home lift varies depending on where you wish to place the home lift and, consequently, the building work involved. Most installations can be completed with only minor adjustments to your existing space. The number of floors the lift needs to travel (how many floors) can affect the installation time and complexity. Installing a home lift typically takes between 2 days and 1 week, depending on the type of lift and site conditions. A straightforward installation with no need for major building work can typically be done in as little as one day! But if there is a need to move any pipes and electricals, this can take longer. Your qualified home lift installer can let you know an approximate timeframe.
The Homelift Installation Process:
Step 1: Book a Home Survey
Once you’ve decided on your make and model of stairlift, you can then book a home survey where a qualified domestic lift installer will come to your home and will work together with you to decide where you’d like your home lift to be installed. A visit by a qualified technician is essential to assess the best location for the lift, ensuring there is enough room and evaluating factors like floor-to-ceiling heights and structural requirements. The great thing about the Stiltz Homelifts that we stock is that they have a small footprint, so they can be installed just about anywhere that you like. But your home survey/assessment is a great time to ask questions about this and confirm you are happy with its location.
Step 2: Prepare your home
Once you have decided where you’d like your homelift to be installed, a date can be arranged to start the work! In the meantime, this is a good time to start preparing your home for the installation. Preparation work and site preparation are important steps, as some lifts require only minimal preparation work, which helps keep costs down and streamlines the installation process. If structural changes such as floor openings or pits are required, a professional builder may be needed to ensure these elements are properly constructed. During the installation, the area directly around the home lift location will be out of bounds, but the rest of your home will be unaffected. Therefore, we recommend moving any furniture or essential items from the working area or into another nearby room.
On the day of installation, a small team of qualified builders will carry out any necessary alterations to your home.
Our installers will arrive with everything they need, so there is no need to hire any external contractors or builders.
Step 3: A Hole is created in the Ceiling
So that your home lift can move up and down between the levels of your home, we need to create a hole in the ceiling to allow the home lift to pass through. A small hole is measured to the exact dimensions of your home lift, which is then reinforced to support the home lift. Some lifts require a shallow pit (5cm to 10cm) for flush entry, while others are pitless and sit directly on the floor. The installation of vertical rails is essential for the stability of the lift system, as these rails support and guide the lift car, and can be adapted to different ceiling types, including vaulted or pitched roofs. Electrics and water pipes that need to be rerouted are done at this stage, too.
Step 4: The Track is fitted
The next step is to fit the track in place. This track system, also known as vertical rails, supports and guides the lift car as it moves up and down through the created hole in the ceiling.
Step 5: The lift platform is assembled to the track
When the hole is created and the track is fitted, it’s ready to fit the actual platform lift onto the track.
Step 6: Testing
Nearly done! Now that everything is in place, the homelift needs thorough testing from our expert installers to ensure smooth and correct functioning.
During safety inspections, important safety features such as obstruction sensors and battery backup are verified to ensure secure operation and protect users.
Step 7: Installation Complete
Once the home lift has passed its testing, the installation is complete! Your domestic lift installer will handover your owner’s manuals and show you how to confidently operate your new home lift.
We hope this article has helped answer all of your questions about how to install a homelift. If you have any further questions, please see our frequently asked questions about homelifts, or we have another handy article if you are a first-time buyer who would like more info on the complete domestic lift purchase process from start to finish. Alternatively, please feel free to contact our friendly expert team for advice or a personalised consultation.