There are a number of factors to consider when retrofitting a home elevator to ensure that the ideal access solution for your home, providing convenient access to your home regardless of mobility level for years to come.
Axis Lifts is Queensland’s leading lift provider, with over 94 year of combined industry experience and more technicians than any other Queensland lift company. Call us today on 1300 002 947 for expert advice on choosing the right lift for your needs including a free quote.
Considerations When Retrofitting A Home Elevator
Location
One of the most important steps when retrofitting a home elevator is choosing the right location for your new lift. Unlike installing a lift as part of a new build, choosing a location to retrofit a home elevator can be more difficult as you have to work with the existing layout of the home.
In some cases, the home builder may have pre planned an elevator hoistway with stacked wardrobes on each level or other small rooms, such as a large pantry or small office, in a stacked formation. This has been a common practise in home building for decades in anticipation of home lifts becoming more common and affordable as they are today.
If there is no pre planned hoistway in your home, you’ll want to choose a location that is both convenient for the practical everyday use of the lift. The other key consideration is choosing a location that is largely unobstructed in order to minimise the amount of building works needed for installation, keeping costs down.
Keep in mind that different types of lifts will require a different amount of space. Additionally, some home lifts can even be installed externally if there is no suitable space inside your home. Talk to your local lift company for personalised advice on choosing the right location for your home lift installation.
Power Requirements
Many homeowners are wary of the power requirements of a home lift when considering a retrofit as utility bills continue to increase year upon year. Fortunately, many home lifts have been designed to be energy efficient, with similar power requirements to that of an electric rangehood.
However, it’s important to verify the power requirements of your chosen lift as they can vary with the type and size of the lift. For more information, talk to your Queensland lift supplier.
Safety Standards
Another consideration when retrofitting a home lift is ensuring that it is built and installed to meet Australian Standards for home lifts and lift installations. This is not only a legal requirement, it will also give you peace of mind that your family and friends will be safe when using your home lift.
If you’re not sure, ask your lift provider for more information on how your chosen lift is built to meet or exceed Australian Standards, and ensure that your lift installers are adequately trained and licensed.
Insurance
An often overlooked consideration when retrofitting a home lift is updating your home insurance. As installing a home lift is a significant modification that will increase the value of your property, it’s important to notify your insurance company of the installation and to find out how it will affect your liability coverage.
This simple step will ensure that your home is properly insured in the event that you have to make a claim against your home insurance policy.
Reliable Home Lifts Queensland & NSW
Axis Lifts is Queensland’s leading lift provider, offering quality home lift installations Queensland and NSW wide. With more technicians than any other Queensland lift company and a 24/7 response service, you can count on us to provide quality home lift services when you need them. Call us today on 1300 002 947 for a free quote or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
