Lift installation
from shaft to handover

Shaft dimensions. It is the single biggest constraint, and the one that is most expensive to change. Shaft width, depth and pit depth determine the car size, the door width and the capacity you can offer. On a new building this is a drawing decision; on a renovation it becomes a survey.

Machine room, or machine-room-less. A traditional lift needs a plant room above the shaft. A machine-room-less (MRL) design puts the drive inside the shaft itself, freeing the space above for a room you can actually sell or rent. Not every building allows it — headroom, structure and budget all play a part — but where it works, it is usually the better answer.

Capacity and speed. Residential buildings rarely need more than a standard passenger car; a hotel or an office tower needs traffic analysis, because the wrong speed turns a good lobby into a queue at 8am. We size this on duty cycle and expected traffic, not on guesswork.

Specification and finishes. Standard equipment is delivered quickly and costs less. Bespoke car interiors, glass doors, custom ceilings and matched finishes cost more and take longer, but they are what a client remembers about a building. This is also the decision with the widest price range — specify the finishes before you compare quotes, or you will be comparing different things.