What to Ask Your Lift Company Before You Buy​

10 Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Lift | Lift Shop

How To Vet Potential Suppliers

A home lift is a thirty-year relationship with the company that installs it. Three things are worth doing before you pay anyone anything.

01

Visit in person

Go to their showroom or work premises before paying anything to anyone. If there is nothing to visit, that is your answer.

02

Trust nothing online

Websites and the internet can fool many, and have. A polished site takes an afternoon. A showroom takes years.

03

Ride it, then meet them

Try the products before you buy them, and get to meet the team who will build, install and service your lift.

Check Any Supplier Independently

Every link opens a government or regulator register. Including ours.

Purpose Look It Up
Required by the QLD government QBCC →
Required to install lifts in New South Wales NSW Contractors Licence →
Required to install lifts in Victoria VIC Contractors Licence →
Required to install lifts in Queensland QLD Contractors Licence →
Required to install lifts in Western Australia WA Contractors Licence →
Required to sell lifts in Australia. Make sure the company you deal with is registered. Work Cover Registration →

Lift Shop holds lift contractor licences in every Australian state and territory. We are happy to be checked.

The Lift Shop Sydney showroom, with home lifts on display and running at full travel

Buyers Guide

Essential Questions to Ensure Quality, Safety, and Style

Not all residential lifts are the same. And not all quotes reveal the full scope. Before you make a decision, ask these essential questions to avoid hidden costs, safety gaps, or design compromises.

At Lift Shop™, we encourage you to compare, because we're confident in every answer.

1. What Kind of Lift Do You Need?

Think about who's using it, how often, and what matters most.

  • Is this for everyday use, future access, or resale value?
  • Do you need a small footprint, higher capacity, or premium design?

Why it matters: Clear goals help match the right lift to your home and lifestyle.

Lift Shop's edge: Niche specialist and the unchallenged market leader for mid to upmarket home elevators. Each lift is dynamically priced, and tailored for your property.

Cross-section showing traction and hydraulic home elevator types

2. What Safety Features Come Standard?

Real safety goes beyond compliance - it's built in.

  • Is there in-cabin self-rescue? (ICSR)
  • Are full-height light rays and battery backup included?

Why it matters: Not all lifts are equally safe. Look beyond the brochure.

Lift Shop's edge: Safety isn't extra, it's standard on every lift we sell.

Residential elevator with integrated ICSR and battery backup system

3. Can You Customise the Lift?

Your lift should feel like part of the home, not an add-on.

  • Can you choose cabin colours, glass, mirrors or textures?
  • Are floor, ceiling and door finishes included?

Why it matters: A customised lift blends in beautifully and adds value.

Lift Shop's edge: Tailored finishes, no upcharge surprises.

Custom-designed home lift cabin with glass, mirror, and stainless finishes

4. Can You Try Before You Buy?

Seeing specs is one thing. Riding the lift is another.

  • Can you feel the ride quality in person?
  • Are multiple models on display?

Why it matters: Comfort, silence, and style are best judged in person.

Lift Shop's edge: Visit a showroom. Ride real lifts. Feel the difference.

Customer testing a lift in a modern showroom

5. How Fast Is the Lift?

Speed isn't just a spec, it shapes how the lift feels.

  • What's the rated speed (m/s)?

Why it matters: A smoother, quicker ride adds comfort and flow to daily life.

Lift Shop's edge: From 0.30 m/s to 0.60 m/s across our full range, smooth, swift, and silent.

Modern home elevator in motion demonstrating smooth and fast operation

6. What Are the Payment Terms?

Know the numbers before you commit.

  • Is there a fixed price guarantee?
  • Are payments tied to clear milestones?

Why it matters: Clear terms avoid confusion and build trust.

Lift Shop's edge: Stage-based payments and a 12-month fixed quote. Read about our payment terms here.

Visual icon showing lift installation payment milestones

7. What's the Installation Timeline?

Timing matters - know what to expect.

  • How long from order to install?
  • Can timelines flex with your build?

Why it matters: Lift timing can hold up or unlock your whole project.

Lift Shop's edge: We work with your build, not against it.

Calendar and blueprint icon representing lift installation schedule

8. What Warranty Coverage Is Provided?

Warranties should offer real protection, not just promises.

  • How long is the warranty?
  • Are there servicing conditions to keep it valid?

Why it matters: Strong coverage lowers long-term costs and risk.

Lift Shop's edge: 8 years or 80,000 trips, including parts with regular servicing.

8-year residential lift warranty icon

9. What's Included in the Quote?

No one likes last-minute extras. Know what's covered up front.

  • Are scaffolds, drawings, or phones included?
  • What finishes or services add cost?

Why it matters: A complete quote protects your timeline and your budget.

Lift Shop's edge: Scaffold, detailed drawings, ICSR, and GSM phone (just add your SIM), all included.

Itemised quote showing included services and features in a lift project

10. What Else Should You Consider?

Key features that set Lift Shop™ apart.

  • Stylish integrated GSM phones
  • Touchless call controls
  • Super Mirror stainless steel (at regular pricing)
  • No hidden charges for essentials
GSM phone and touchless call lift button icon

Bottom line: Ask questions. Demand clarity. Then visit our showroom and see why Lift Shop™ is the preferred choice.

Try Before You Buy

See What a Smarter Lift Decision Looks Like

The cost of replacing a poorly chosen lift can be double the original. That's why a visit to a Lift Shop showroom is invaluable.

We only provide knowledge and never pressure. Knowledge will allow you to get your home lift purchase right, and that will lead to peace of mind and a transparent and smooth process.

You'll quickly see not all lifts are equal. The home lift market spans a wide range of quality, performance and price. Lift Shop™ stands apart. Our designs are exclusive. Our systems, proven. And what we offer simply can't be copied.

We invite you to visit our showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Canberra and experience first hand the difference one company, one system and one standard can make.

We won't take on a job unless we believe we'll delight you. With over 1,200 lifts sold annually, we'd rather walk away than deliver anything less than excellence. That's how we operate, and we think you'll agree.

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