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Home lifts are a practical and stylish addition to for those looking to make adaptations to their home. They have been increasingly popular since featuring on home improvement television shows such as DIY SOS. Home lifts are compact elevators that take you between floors, add a touch of luxury, future-proof your home and make your life easier. So, how do they work and which model should you choose?
Hi, my name is Coral, and together with my husband Colin, we own 1st Choice Homelifts, a sub brand of 1st Choice Stairlifts. Between us we have over 60 years of lift experience, so let us be your guide.
Having a lift installed makes a massive difference to our users lives and makes travelling between floors so much safer. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions we get about having a lift fitted.
Why have a Home lift instead of a stairlift?
A home lift may be more suitable for users who require a wheelchair. They may also be suitable for those with progressive conditions who need a future-proofed, long term lifting solution. If you live in a multi-generational home, our lifts are the perfect solution to keep your staircase free for other users. Home lifts also have an increased weight capacity compared to stairlifts so are suitable for bariatric users. Although home lifts are more expensive than stairlifts, they are stylish and versatile additions to any home that allow you or your loved one to regain their independence and travel between the floors in their home more freely.
Which Home lift is best?
Here at 1st Choice Stairlifts, we offer lifts from Stiltz, Wessex and Access BDD. There are different home lift makes and models to suit specific needs. Models that are not fully enclosed carry a person either seated in a wheelchair or on a fold down seat. Fully enclosed models (with full height sides and doors) will carry up to two people, standing or a wheelchair user and their carer.
For larger homes and public buildings, we have a commercially rated small elevators that can be fitted in a purpose-built shaft or stylish glass enclosure. These lifts do not require a separate control room but do need a small pit to recess the platform into for level access entry. They can stop on multiple floors and can take multiple users.
All models have different size platforms and are fully customisable in multiple colour choices to suit your décor.
Our expert team will be pleased to discuss options with you to find the best solution for your needs and give you an idea of cost.
For larger homes and public buildings, we have a commercially rated small elevators that can be fitted in a purpose-built shaft or stylish glass enclosure. These lifts do not require a separate control room but do need a small pit to recess the platform into for level access entry. They can stop on multiple floors and can take multiple users.
All models have different size platforms and are fully customisable in multiple colour choices to suit your décor.
Our expert team will be pleased to discuss options with you to find the best solution for your needs and give you an idea of cost.
How are Home lifts installed and how long do they take to fit?
Firstly, we survey your home to identify a suitable area for the lift to be installed. This would normally be in a downstairs living area to an upstairs bedroom.
For the lift to go through the floor, building works must be done which we co-ordinate and project manage for you. During the building works, a hole is cut in the ceiling and the joists are reinforced to support the lift (this hole is called an aperture). Pipework or electrics may need to be rerouted if they are in the aperture. A dedicated electrical socket is needed nearby to power the lift. We clean up as we go so everything will be left neat and tidy for you. Normally, installations take around 4 days including the building works and lift installation. Once installed we vacuum, clean and sanitise the area and product and give you a thorough demonstration and test drive to make sure you can use it safely and confidently.
For the lift to go through the floor, building works must be done which we co-ordinate and project manage for you. During the building works, a hole is cut in the ceiling and the joists are reinforced to support the lift (this hole is called an aperture). Pipework or electrics may need to be rerouted if they are in the aperture. A dedicated electrical socket is needed nearby to power the lift. We clean up as we go so everything will be left neat and tidy for you. Normally, installations take around 4 days including the building works and lift installation. Once installed we vacuum, clean and sanitise the area and product and give you a thorough demonstration and test drive to make sure you can use it safely and confidently.
How long do I need to wait to have one fitted?
The lead times from order to installation is normally around 2-8 weeks, depending on the product, platform size required and building works. We project manage everything including co-ordinating all trades to get the job done quickly and efficiently so you don’t need to worry about a thing.
What are the buying options?
Normally these models come as new only, however we do occasionally have second-hand models available. Prices vary depending on the model, platform size required and what building works need to be done, so please call us to discuss your needs and we can give you an idea of cost. Normally our products are tax deductible, so you won’t pay VAT if you have a qualifying health condition.
What about maintenance and servicing?
We put the care into aftercare, giving you total peace of mind when you buy from us. When you need us just call. Our local engineers are on call for emergency repairs 24/7, 365 days a year. All models come with warranties that can be extended if you wish. You should have your lift serviced and safety checked twice a year.
We hope that we’ve answered your questions, but if you have any more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team who are happy to help.
To see which model would be best for your home, call us to book a survey. We will assess your situation and chat through all the options with you to provide a no-obligation quotation. With us, you will never experience high-pressure selling, meaning you will be in the safest of hands with our experts.
You can also visit our showroom by appointment at our headquarters in Calne, Wiltshire to try our models out for yourself.
Having a lift fitted can be life changing, so make that call to us today on 0800 019 22 10.
Have you got any questions? Call us or email us and we’ll be happy to help! We have a YouTube channel with lots of information on home lifts and installations, if you find us over there, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be notified each time we upload more helpful tips!
We hope that we’ve answered your questions, but if you have any more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team who are happy to help.
To see which model would be best for your home, call us to book a survey. We will assess your situation and chat through all the options with you to provide a no-obligation quotation. With us, you will never experience high-pressure selling, meaning you will be in the safest of hands with our experts.
You can also visit our showroom by appointment at our headquarters in Calne, Wiltshire to try our models out for yourself.
Having a lift fitted can be life changing, so make that call to us today on 0800 019 22 10.
Have you got any questions? Call us or email us and we’ll be happy to help! We have a YouTube channel with lots of information on home lifts and installations, if you find us over there, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be notified each time we upload more helpful tips!
