Home Lift

Trade: Electrician

⭐ Introduction

A home lift can make a significant difference if stairs are becoming difficult to manage or if you want to improve accessibility within your home. Unlike stairlifts which follow the staircase, a home lift (or domestic elevator) moves vertically through the building, offering easy access between floors for mobility-impaired individuals, people with heavy loads, or simply for added convenience.

Home lifts are often considered in homes with multiple storeys, particularly where a permanent, safe, and comfortable option is needed. They can be useful in family homes, bungalows adapted for ageing in place, or for anyone looking to future-proof their home. Because installing a home lift involves both electrical and structural work, it’s typically carried out by professionals including electricians.

🔧 What the job involves

Installing a home lift is a specialised electrical job combined with some building work. Here’s what it generally includes:

Electrical connection and wiring: The lift needs a dedicated power supply capable of handling its electrical load safely. This involves running cables, installing control panels, switches, and possibly integrating with your home’s main consumer unit.
Safety and control systems: Modern lifts have emergency alarms, lighting, automatic door sensors, and sometimes backup batteries, which the electrician configures and tests.
Compliance with UK regulations: Installation must meet Building Regulations, especially Part M (accessibility) and any relevant electrical safety standards.
Coordination with builders and lift engineers: Electricians work alongside lift installation specialists and builders who prepare shafts or enclosures.
Testing and certification: After installation, the electrician and lift engineer carry out tests to ensure the lift operates safely, providing certificates where required.

As the electrician, the focus is on ensuring the lift is safely wired, adequately powered, and complies with all current regulations.

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

Initial enquiry and consultation: Contact a qualified electrician or a company offering home lift installations. They will discuss your needs and the property details.
Site survey: A professional visits to assess your home’s electrical system, space for the lift, and access for wiring.
Quotation: You receive a detailed quote covering labour, materials, and any additional work like upgrading your consumer unit if needed.
Booking the works: Agree on a start date and confirm the scope of work.
Pre-installation preparation: Prepare the areas (e.g. shaft, structural openings) with your builder or lift installer.
Installation day(s): The electrician installs wiring, control systems, and connections. This usually runs alongside the lift fitters completing the mechanical assembly.
Testing and commissioning: The electrician tests circuits, safety systems, and checks everything works correctly. You may see demonstrations on operating the lift.
Handover and certification: You receive paperwork including electrical safety certificates, building regulation compliance documents, and manufacturer guidance.
Aftercare: Discuss servicing schedules and warranty support with the installer.

💷 Main costs to expect

Labour: Qualified electrician’s hourly or fixed rate covering wiring and testing.
Materials/parts: Electrical cables, switches, dedicated circuit breakers, control panels, emergency lighting.
Lift equipment: Usually supplied by the lift company but may affect what electrical work is needed.
Building work extras: If upgrade to your consumer unit or additional security devices are required, these add cost.
Disposal: Removing old lift equipment or wiring if relevant.
Certification: Costs for electrical safety certificates and building regulation inspections, often included in labour.

Example itemisation:

Electrical labour: £700–£1200
Materials & components: £200–£400
Certification/testing fees: £100–£200
Additional consumer unit upgrade (if needed): £300–£600

📊 What affects the price

Access and installation complexity: Difficult access or unusual building layouts add time and cost.
Existing electrical infrastructure: Older properties may need upgraded wiring or consumer units.
Lift size and system type: Larger lifts or higher-specification systems require more complex electrical work.
Regulations/certification requirements: More comprehensive testing can increase labour time.
Remedial or structural work: If walls need cutting or shaft preparation involves complex work.
Location of the property: Costs vary by region and travel time for tradespeople.
Project timeline: Urgent installations can attract premium charges.

⏱ How long does it take?

A straightforward lift installation in a newly prepared shaft generally takes 2–4 days for the electrical side, working alongside the mechanical fitters.
Complex installations involving upgrade of electrical systems or difficult access can extend the timeframe to up to a week or more.
If electrical work is a simple swap of an old lift’s control system, this could take a day or two.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

Home lifts are not a DIY job. Several important reasons include:

Electrical safety: Working with high-current installations without proper certification risks serious injury, fire, or non-compliance.
Regulations: Electrical installations linked to lifts must meet Building Regulations, requiring qualified electricians to carry out and certify the work.
Complexity: Integrating control systems, safety features, and emergency mechanisms demands specialist knowledge.
Liability: Incorrect installation can invalidate manufacturer warranties and affect your home insurance cover.
Safety of users: A professionally installed lift ensures reliable and safe operation for all users.

For these reasons, always hire a qualified electrician and reputable lift installer for your home lift.

💰 Typical UK price range

As an estimate, the electrical installation element of a domestic home lift typically costs between £1,200 and £2,500 + VAT. This price depends on the system’s complexity and any additional electrical upgrades needed.

Note that this excludes the cost of the lift system itself, shaft preparation, and any related building work.

✅ Handy tips before you start

Plan early: Speak to both electricians and lift companies as soon as possible for feasibility and design advice.
Check qualifications: Ensure your electrician is registered with a competent person scheme (e.g. NICEIC or NAPIT).
Clear access: Prepare the installation site and shaft area for easy access to reduce delays.
Keep paperwork: Retain all certificates and manufacturer documentation. They’ll be important for future servicing, insurance, and resale.
Arrange ongoing servicing: Schedule regular maintenance for your lift’s electrical and mechanical parts to ensure safety and longevity.
Notify your building control: Depending on the project, your installer may notify local authorities or you may need permission under Building Regulations.
Consider future needs: Discuss options like battery backup or emergency systems for added peace of mind.

Taking these steps will help ensure a smooth installation and many years of safe, convenient use of your home lift.