Blog>Cost Guides>Home lift installation cost guide
Last updated: 11 July 2023
Home lift installation cost guide
Having a lift installed at home will make your life, or your loved one's life, easier when moving upstairs or coming downstairs. Find out how much a home lift costs to install in this guide.
There are several reasons why you might be interested in home lift prices. Having one in the house can be very handy if you or a family member is elderly or disabled. But, even if you’re young and fit, it can make moving around your house easier and is a much safer option for your children to get up and downstairs.
Of course, you might be concerned about the installation costs of a lift in your home. So, here they are.
Domestic lift cost
| Cost provided items | Unit | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic home lift cost | Per installation | £23,000 | £28,000 | £25,500 |
| Traction home lift cost | Per installation | £28,000 | £33,000 | £30,500 |
| Vacuum home lift cost | Installation starting from | £28,000 | - | - |
| Non-hydraulic home lift cost | Installation starting from | £15,000 | - | - |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
When considering home lift prices, you first need to determine exactly what you need. There are different types of lifts on the market and not all of them would be suitable for you. To help you decide, we’ve put together the different kinds of home lifts and their costs.
Hydraulic home lift cost
Hydraulic lifts are a through-floor type of lift that works with pumps that use hydraulic pressure to operate. They require a large amount of space, so might not be suitable for a small home. They also require frequent maintenance, which adds to their running cost.
Hydraulic home lifts cost between £23,000 - £28,000 to install.
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Traction home lift cost
Traction lifts operate using cables and counterweights instead of hydraulic pressure. For a standard installation, you may spend around £28,000 - £33,000.
Vacuum home lift cost
Vacuum home lifts use air pressure to move up and down. If you want these in your home, your home lift installation costs will start from around £28,000.
Non-hydraulic home lift cost
Non-hydraulic home lifts, like the Stiltz home lift, have the smallest footprint out of the four lift types. These are also significantly cheaper, starting as low as £15,000 for an installation.
Home lift quotes
Getting multiple quotes for your home lift installation is important to get the best price for your requirements. That’s because the cost of a home lift installation depends on a number of factors based on your needs.
Your home lift price estimate may depend on the type of lift you want and the technology it uses.
Home lift installation quotes will be affected by factors like:
Installation and building work – if any key fixtures or fittings such as pipework or wiring are in the way of the lift, this may require additional work and costs to re-route
The number of floors in your home and how many floors you would like the lift to travel
Access issues for the installation team
Customisation – you can add extra features to your home lift if required
Another key factor is the configuration of the lift you choose.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three different companies so you can compare quotes and choose the right tradesperson for you. We also suggest providing a detailed job description so the quotes are accurate.
Use our request a quote feature if you don't have time to find a company on our search. You submit the job to us and we'll send it to lift installers who people near you recommend. The lift experts will then reach out to you with a quote.
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FAQs
Do home lifts need a lot of maintenance?
The short answer is yes.
Whilst the amount of maintenance needed will depend on the type of lift you install, we do recommend following the right maintenance procedure as and when required. However, in general, most home lifts would need at least annual maintenance.
Do I need planning permission for a home lift?
You may not need planning permission for a home lift that is indoors unless you live in a listed property. You may, however, need permission for an outdoor lift.
We recommend checking with your local council to find out for sure.
Can I fit a lift inside my old property?
With the range of home lift options available, you should be able to find one that is compatible with an older property. Non-hydraulic lifts, for example, don’t need a supporting wall as they operate on vertical rails.
You can also choose an incline platform stairlift, which operates along your stairs. You might need to check with your local council though.
I’m thinking of getting a home lift installed - what do I do next?
You’ll need to contact our tradespeople to arrange a full site survey.
At this visit, your individual needs and property can be assessed, and a personalised quotation can be provided.
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