My advice is unless someone can not access upstairs in your townhouse without a lift, don’t install one.
If it is indeed necessary, leave it as long as possible before installing. Be prepared to continue paying money for the life of the lift for maintenance and repairs. This is over and above the installation cost and one year warranty period. Ours requires an annual service, regardless of the usage, which costs a minimum of $400. If parts need replacing then that is extra cost (for parts and labour).
Two thing to check for each business is how long they have been in business; and do they resell or do they produce the lift? Many domestic lift businesses go out of business leaving the owners with no support and no way to repair because each company uses proprietary software and hardware which other lift businesses can not work with. If they resell, is the equipment Australian or from overseas? We are now all aware of the supply issues related to getting material from overseas.
In summary, a domestic lift is just a fancy hole you keep chucking money into. So think very carefully before you decide to buy.
As per @meltam comments have you considered how imperative the need for a lift is considering the needs of those using it and the costs involved. From the web there’s a variety of designs and manufacturers. Some may better suit your situation (home) and needs. Some models may be inappropriate for your situation. It will be difficult for anyone to share their experiences as needs may be different. EG number of passengers, wheel chair friendly, house construction, intended location and budget.
The advice suggests a very simple one person standing lift could alternately purchase a modest full spec SUV. ($55k)
It may be useful to write out a list of what you expect the lift to be able to do and have a definite location in mind for your property. IE A wheel chair capable lift with 2nd passenger and installation on an external wall will be many times the cost (and possibly require building approvals). It’s likely an expensive solution compared to a simple pneumatic tube lift that is self supporting, providing there is an adequate foundation.
Some questions I’d consider important.
What happens if the power is lost to the home? How does the lift respond? Does it wait for the passenger to act? Do you need an emergency phone installed? The lifts should come with a backup system that can return the lift to a safe floor level and open the door if the power fails. Some may do this automatically, which is great if they are for one person and the passenger has a memory issue. Some may need the passenger/s to take some action, which may not suit.
Does the supplier have a long business history? One with multiple branches perhaps. Does the supplier offer 24hr call out service? Something more likely the larger and better established the business. Does the supplier offer just the one product range for home users or does it also have a larger business with residential high rise and commercial premises? The trade off might be a smaller business that has a narrow customer base with a sole owner. Low overheads, but greater risk of the business not being there in the future.
What supporting foundations does the lift require? The cost will depend on your type and age of home. Larger lifts require more substantial foundations. What do the local council building regulations require? These may be minimal through to a building permit and certifier if structural work is required.
Have I purchased a home lift?
No. I’ve ridden in a few. At least one appeared to be very home made, hence just the once in ignorance. Any other experience relates to use in industrial settings. If you have a sizeable budget, have you considered seeking out the assistance of a registered Architect for some guidance and assistance?
