How Much Does a Commercial Lift Cost To Install?

From basic lifts to more complex installations, commercial lifts come in various sizes, capacities, and designs, and each one contributes to the comfort and safety of your customers and staff. Commercial lifts, although similar to residential, hotel and other lift types, require specific tests and inspections of each part of the mechanisms and digitalisation before installation begins.

Types of commercial lifts

These are the most common types of lifts used as a passenger lift in commercial spaces: If you own a commercial building with more than one floor, it’s probably a good idea to install a lift so your customers have a better experience, and so you can comply with building regulations and equality regulations for access.

Thankfully, the era of platform lifts and passenger lifts that were unsightly, utilitarian in design, and concealed from the public is long gone. Modern commercial lifts are sleek, built for smooth, quiet operation, and have extremely small carbon footprints.

This brings up the expense issue (how much does a commercial lift actually cost to install?) as well as how much remodelling your space would require to accommodate a quality commercial lift. 

While each lift installation is unique, and you can only receive an exact quote from a trained and licenced lift contractor, you can get a general sense of how much installing a commercial lift will cost.

Traction lifts

One of the most popular types of lifts used in commercial environments is the traction lift. These lifts are most frequently raised via suspension ropes or belts in a pulley system with a counterweight. Some lighten the stress on the lift mechanism by using a large counterweight. 

Sometimes, the machine room at the top of the lift shaft houses these parts. Machine roomless lifts (MRL) are types of lifts where a motor room is not available and is designed to be a great space saver within the building. With the gearless motor and drive unit located at the top of the shaft, these type of lifts are perfect if you are working within a more compact restraint.

Because they are quick, smooth and extremely dependable, traction lifts are perfect for usage by customers and passengers. They are fairly quiet, and you can choose from a variety of types and decorations.

Hydraulic lifts

Hydraulic lifts use a hydraulic piston to raise and lower their payload, which could be on an open platform or inside a closed cab. Since hydraulic devices require a pump and piston to function, a pit must typically be built beneath the lift to accommodate these parts.

Heavy weights can usually be transported using hydraulic lifts over short distances, almost invariably fewer than eight stories, and at a speed of about 200 feet per minute. 

Industrial lifts

Climbing, hoist, and inclination are the main three lifting mechanisms used by industrial lifts. Climbing lifts come in a variety of designs, but they all have a lift mechanism that is fixed to the cab or platform. 

Although it tends to limit capacity because the mechanism must support the entire weight, this can save a significant amount of room in small spaces.

Warehouses and loading docks frequently use hoist and incline lifts. These forms of equipment hoist very big payloads using leverage and counterweight systems, however they are typically not appropriate for indoor or public-facing applications. 

Hoists frequently roll or glide along slope planes rather than lifting vertically. This greatly increases the device’s maximum capacity and helps distribute heavy load weights. Because of their industrial nature, these systems are not often open to the public. Once you’ve decided on a lift type, you can talk to our advisors for information on the installation prices and maintenance costs.

What is the lift installation process for commercial lifts?

Initial quotes

When you’ve decided that you’re ready to install passenger lifts or vertical platform lifts you should contact a reputable lift company who will be able to give you a quote based on your specifications.

The extent of the project will determine how much labour, materials, and installation costs should be included in your initial quote. Naturally, if more work and expenses are needed later on in the project, your project manager will talk to you about it as soon as feasible.

Installing a passenger lift or platform lift requires a high level of knowledge, cooperation, and expertise from your lift engineer and any builders or designers participating in the project. 

There will probably be building-related expenses in newly constructed homes and business buildings in addition to the price of the lift installation.

In a new construction project, the lift specialists will collaborate with the architects and builders to ensure that the lift shaft is constructed according to the necessary standards (LOLER) and that everything is in place to install the lift.

Installation process

The best lifting mechanism for your project will depend on the lift’s location, the number of floors it serves, the speed at which it moves, and the size of the lift shaft.

The lift car will be assembled during this time (this can be done on-site or off-site, depending on the project’s needs).

The lift car will then be connected to the lifting mechanisms and installed last. After your lift experts have completed all necessary testing and inspections to guarantee the lift’s safety, it should be ready to go!

Lift maintenance

Depending on the type of lift you have installed, you are required as the building owner to ensure that your lift is safe and in good working order. You can do this by working out a lift maintenance plan with your lift company.

Any passenger lift that legally carries people needs to undergo an inspection at least every six months, whether it is a passenger lift or a hybrid passenger and good lift. 

How much do commercial lifts cost?

The cost of a commercial lift might vary depending on the lift’s size, travel, and capacity. For instance, a lift with eight people and 630 kg will cost less than one with 21 people and 1600 kg. A lift that makes more than 20 stops will probably cost more than one that makes only four stops. 

The same principle still holds for installation and labour expenses, which are taken into account along with the lift itself: the more labour necessary for the project, the more expensive you can anticipate your passenger lift installation.

Here are some things that will affect the price of your lift installation:

• Lift size
• Number of lifts
• Number of floors in your building
• Additional safety features or additional accessibility features
• Lift design
• Different weight capacities
• Whether it is a lift replacement or a new installation

Looking for expert lift installation in your commercial building?

Platform lifts and passenger lifts are great accessibility solutions for commercial buildings and can be fully modified to fit your needs and budget.

We are experts in lift installation, maintenance, and modernisation for all commercial and residential facilities throughout the United Kingdom. 

How much does a commercial lift cost FAQs

Which lift is best for commercial use?

A platform lift can be used anywhere substantial loads need to be transported from one level to another. It is widely used in numerous places, including workplaces, warehouses, schools, and hospitals.

Passenger lifts are the best solution for busting commercial buildings such as offices or shopping centres.

Do you need planning permission for a lift?

Usually, installing a passenger lift does not require planning permission unless it endangers the building’s structural integrity or affects a historically significant building.

How long does it take to install a lift?

In general, installing a lift can take several weeks to many months. Less-levelled structures typically take less time to construct than higher ones.