Your home needs a lift? Here’s what you need to consider

Thinking About Getting a Lift at Home? Read This First

Adding a lift at home can change your life.
It can help you move safely and easily between floors.

But it’s not as easy as just choosing one and turning it on.

You need to stop and think carefully first.

• Do you use a wheelchair and want to reach every floor?
• Do you have good and bad days with your mobility?
• Are you planning for the future?

Every house is different.
Every disabled person has different needs.

Here’s what to think about before you get a lift..

Key Takeaways

Lifts Can Transform a Home—But They’re Not a Quick Fix

It’s a big undertaking with potentially huge structural changes to your home and loss of room space. Let’s discuss the options.

1. Decide What Type of Lift Works for You

There’s more than one kind of lift, and choosing the right one depends on how you move through your home.

• Through-floor lifts (also called vertical lifts) travel directly between floors, often with minimal structural change.
• Platform lifts are slower and more exposed, but ideal for short distances or split levels.
• Stairlifts can be a good option for some, but aren’t suitable for wheelchair users you can transfer easily and only need to go up one floor.

Think about whether you’ll be using a mobility aid in the lift, whether you’ll need space for someone to travel with you, and how quickly you need it to move. It’s also worth testing different models in showrooms if possible—what feels smooth to one person might feel jerky or claustrophobic to another.

2. Check If Your Home Can Take It

Not every home is lift-ready, and retrofitting can bring surprises.

A standard through-floor lift usually needs:

• A solid floor and ceiling that can support the lift and its track.
• Enough room on both levels—you’ll need space for entry and exit, plus safe clearance around the lift.
• Consideration of where existing wiring, pipes, or radiators might get in the way.

Some lifts can be installed without a pit or shaft, but others may require major structural work. In a tight space, that might mean sacrificing a storage room or even reworking a bathroom.

Lifts require a level, firm base that supports the system’s weight. If the surface is uneven or needs added strength, you can create a level foundation using an aluminium plate to improve stability and weight distribution.

3. Understand Your Legal and Safety Responsibilities

In the UK, lifts in domestic homes don’t require planning permission unless your home is listed or in a conservation area—but you’ll still need to follow building regulations.

• Lifts must meet BS 5900 standards for vertical lifting platforms.
• Fire safety is key: if you rely on the lift to get out, your evacuation plan needs to reflect that.
• If carers or other family members are helping you in an emergency, that needs to be part of the planning too.

If you’re using a Disabled Facilities Grant, your local authority might also have specifications you’ll need to meet.

4. Make Sure It’s Genuinely Accessible

Not all lifts are designed with disabled people in mind—even the ones advertised as such.

Look out for:

• Control buttons you can reach easily, with tactile markers or audio feedback.
• Landing areas with room to turn safely in a wheelchair.
• Lighting inside the lift that doesn’t create glare or shadows.
• Doors that open wide enough—and stay open long enough—for you to get in and out comfortably.

Some lifts even offer voice-controlled panels or backup battery systems for power cuts, which can add peace of mind.

5. Don’t Forget Maintenance

Like any machine, home lifts need looking after. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about staying safe.

• Ask your installer what’s included in the service contract.
• How often will they come out for checks?
• What happens if the lift breaks down at 10 pm on a Sunday?

Check the warranty, and ask whether you’re tied to one servicing company or can shop around later.

6. Plan for the Long Haul

You might be thinking about how you move around your home today, but what about five years from now?

• Will your needs change as you age or as your condition progresses?
• Is the lift easy to adapt if you switch from sticks to a chair?
• If you move, will a future buyer see the lift as a bonus or a problem?

The more flexible the installation, the better it is for long-term use. Some disabled people also choose lifts that blend with their home décor, especially in shared family homes.

7. Consider the Cost—Then Double-Check It

Depending on the type and layout, installing a home lift can range from £4,000 to over £30,000. That figure doesn’t always include electrical work, reinforcement, or building adjustments.

If you’re in the UK, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant, which covers up to £30,000 in England. Applications go through your local authority and often involve an occupational therapist’s assessment.

There are also charities, such as Independence at Home, that may help with a small grant towards architects’ plans if you’re on a low income or facing urgent need.

Final Thoughts