Question 1

What is a home lift?

Accepted Answer

A home lift is very much like a commercial lift that you regularly come across in a hospital or hotel, but they are designed to take fewer people allowing the lift mechanisms to be simpler and smaller. Home lift mechanisms can be hydraulic or electric. Hydraulic lifts need a small separate pump unit, which is usually sited outside but can be located inside your home. Electric lifts have a motor box that fits on the upper-level ceiling above the lift. Home lift sizes vary from one person sitting or standing up to three people, or a wheelchair and attendant. They can even accommodate heavy battery-powered mobility chairs. Note:Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) the 'lifting operation' is referred to as 'an operation concerned with the lifting or lowering of a load. A 'load' is the item or items being lifted, which includes a person or people, and 'lifting equipment' means equipment for lifting and lowering loads.  Home Lifts and Stairlifts installed in private dwellings are not subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, but we believe it makes perfect sense, and good practice, to follow the Regulations and HSE guidance as closely as possible.  We only supply and install home lifts designed and manufactured to BS5900:2012.

Question 2

What types of Home Lift are there?

Accepted Answer

A Home Lift will fall into two categories: those that require a shaft and those that don't. Those that don’t need a shaft are called ‘ through the floor’ Home lifts and can be electrically or hydraulically driven. A hydraulic Home lift usually requires an external ‘power pack’ to house a small pump and hydraulic fluid. These types of Home Lifts are relatively new to the domestic market, but they have been around long enough to iron out any teething issues.       A Home Lift requiring a shaft will either be an electric, hydraulic, traction or a vacuum lift. These types of lifts are more robust than a 'through the floor' Home Lift, but they have a larger footprint and are more costly to install and maintain.

Question 3

Where can they go?

Accepted Answer

A Home Lift with a small footprint can be installed into most homes. The easiest solution is usually between the living room and the bedroom directly above, as the building work required is relatively straight forward. Other options can include, between the hallway and landing, the hallway and an airing cupboard or a utility room and a bedroom. Where there isn't a natural place for a Home Lift, we can create space by, relocating appliances such as boilers and hot water storage cylinders, moving cupboards or changing existing room layouts. If required, we can build a lift shaft onto the side of your property.

Question 4

How many people can fit in a Home Lift? Can they accommodate a wheelchair?

Accepted Answer

Domestic hydraulic and electric through-the-floor Home Lifts vary in size; they can accommodate one person sitting or standing, up to three people or a wheelchair and attendant. They can even accommodate heavy battery-powered mobility chairs. A home Lift should work for all family members regardless of ability, and when sizing a Home Lift, it is always good practice to imagine how you may want to use it in the future.

Question 5

How much does a Home Lift cost?

Accepted Answer

The price of a Home lift will depend on the type, make and model of home lift you choose, along with the amount of work required to install the lift into your home. So it’s difficult to provide an exact cost, but as a guide:   An electric ‘through the floor’ home lift starts from £9,500 An electric platform lift in a non-fire retardant shaft typically starts around £11,000  A hydraulic 'through the floor' home lift starts from £11,000  A vacuum home lift starts from £25,000 A traction home lift starts from £28,000    Our lift assessor will be more than happy to discuss prices and options with you during your free no-obligation survey.

Question 6

Is there much work involved? Is it safe to cut a hole in the floor?

Accepted Answer

The amount of work involved depends on the chosen location of the Home Lift. Usually, the most straightforward installation is when a 'through the floor' Home Lift is located between a living room and a bedroom.  There's still quite a bit of work involved as we have to expose, trim and strengthen the floor joists to create an opening for the Home Lift to pass through, but this is probably the most complex part of the Home lift installation process and can be done without much disruption to the room below.

Question 7

How long would it take to install a Home Lift?

Accepted Answer

Many websites claim a Home Lift can be installed in one or two days, but this just refers to the Home Lift itself, not the preparation or the decoration. The type of lift and the amount of building work will determine the length of time. Generally, a straight forward installation will require a minimum installation time of three days. Our assessor will be happy to discuss the installation process with you in more detail, during your Home Lift survey.

Question 8

What about the carpets and painting?

Accepted Answer

Straight forward ‘through the floor’ Home Lifts do not affect the existing décor. The upper-level carpet will be rolled back to create the lift aperture; the opening in the ceiling below is carefully made so as not to affect the rest of the ceiling. For larger projects, we take care of everything, so you don't have to worry about coordinating different trades. We'll manage the whole Home Lift process, and on request, we can arrange for your rooms to be decorated and carpeted before we are finished.

Question 9

Are Home Lifts noisy?

Accepted Answer

There is a small element of noise when a Home Lift is in operation; this will vary between the different types of lift mechanisms, but on the whole, Home Lifts are very quiet.

Question 10

What if there's a power cut or the Home Lift breaks down?

Accepted Answer

You will never be caught between floors or get stuck in a Home Lift as they are designed to safely descend to the ground floor in the event of a power cut. Some Home Lifts have the option of onboard battery backup, so they continue to work in the event of a power cut.

Question 11

How long does it take to move between floors?

Accepted Answer

A Home Lift moves more quickly and safely than a stairlift between floors. The duration will depend on the Home Lift manufacturer, but it is likely to be less than 40 seconds.

Question 12

Fire safety and BS5900:2012

Accepted Answer

Safety is of utmost importance to us, and we only supply and install home lifts designed and manufactured to BS5900:2012. BS 5900:2012 is a British Standard specification that covers many aspects of a home lift installation, which includes the requirement to maintain the fire rating of your property whether the lift is parked in the upper or lower position. Be aware that there are home lifts on the market that do not comply with this safety standard. So when looking to purchase a home lift, always ask for evidence of compliance with BS5900:2012

Question 13

Can I use a Disabled Facilities Grant to pay for a home lift?

Accepted Answer

If you or a family member is disabled or chronically ill, then you could apply for a DFG to help pay towards or for a Home Lift. You can find more information here. You may also be entitled to a zero VAT rate. You can find more VAT information here.

Question 14

Who manufactures Adaptmyhome lifts?

Accepted Answer

We currently use the following Home Lift manufacturers. Stiltz Terry Lifts Pollock Lifts Access BDD

Manufacturer	Model	Drive System*	Internal Dimensions	External dimensions - Door Closed	Weight Capacity**	Wheelchair accessible
Stiltz	Duo Classic	E	629mm x 587mm	692mm x 1040mm	170 kg	No
Stiltz	Duo Vista	E	629mm x 587mm	692mm x 1040mm	170 kg	No
Pollock Lifts	Elevator - Compact	H or E	542mm x 750mm	790mm x 1063mm	255 kg	No
Pollock Lifts	Seat unit	E	542mm x 700mm	688mm x 1085mm	255 kg	No
Pollock Lifts	750 x 1100	E	750mm x 1100mm	896mm x 1425mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	750 x 1175	E	750mm x 1175mm	896mm x 1500mm	255 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Lifestyle	H	597mm x 854mm	733mm x 1142mm	250 kg	No
Terry Lifts	Harmony FE - C	H	745mm x 726mm	910mm x 914mm	325 kg	No
Terry Lifts	Harmony S	H	755mm x 1026mm	920mm x 1265mm	280 kg	Yes

Manufacturer	Model	Drive System*	Internal Dimensions	External Dimensions - Door Closed	Weight Capacity**	Wheelchair Accessible
Stiltz Lifts	Trio+	E	773mm x 1074mm	1040mm x 1241mm	250 kg	Yes
Stiltz Lifts	Trio ThruCar	E	773mm x 1074mm	1040mm x 1241mm	250 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	Elevator - Large	H or E	850mm x 1250mm	1098mm x 1563mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	850 x 1175	E	850mm x 1175mm	946mm x 1575mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	750 x 1250	E	750mm x 1250mm	996mm x 1425mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	800 x 1250	E	800mm x 1250mm	996mm x 1500mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	850 x 1250	E	850mm x 1250mm	996mm x 1575mm	255 kg	Yes
Pollock Lifts	850 x 1400	E	850mm x 1400mm	996mm x 1740mm	200 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony FE - S	H	745mm x 1045mm	910mm x 1235mm	325 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony FE - L	H	745mm x 1245mm	910mm x 1435mm	325 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony FE - LW	H	880mm x 1245mm	1045mm x 1435mm	325 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony L	H	890mm x 1026mm	155mm x1265mm	280 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony W	H	755mm x 1226mm	920mm x 1465mm	250 kg	Yes
Terry Lifts	Harmony LW	H	890mm x 1226mm	1055mm x 1465mm	250 kg	Yes

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