Home lift cost 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

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.

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

It is important to get quotes for your home lift installation so you can 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. It will also be affected by factors like:

• The size of the lift
• The distance it has to travel
• Construction work to create space for it
• Electrical work required

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 your neighbours recommend. They will then reach out to you with a quote.

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.