Handicap lifts – costs, prices & experience – Used, New, Rent

Lifts are suitable for overcoming vertical heights. They allow people who are limited in their mobility to be safely transported to a height of up to 3 meters. Lifting Platforms are very suitable for wheelchairs, as they have a sufficiently large platform and a high load-bearing capacity. However, lifting platforms can also be used by pedestrians. Many models can be equipped with appropriate folding seats, which provide a particularly comfortable and safe transport..

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Wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments have the opportunity to remain mobile and independent through stair lifts. A special form of stairlift is the lift. It is used especially for smaller height differences up to a maximum of 3 m. The Lifting Platform does not move along the course of the stairs, but vertically. Lifting Platforms are especially appreciated by wheelchair users. Their large platform provides them with a sufficiently large standing area. But pedestrians can also use Lifting Platforms.

Photo: Lana839 / Shutterstock

House entrances often have an access level that is above the floor level surface. About 0.5 to 1.2 meters is common. To move a larger load or a wheelchair user to this level, Lifting Platforms or platform lifts are used. They consist of a carrier system with a platform, a drive system and a control unit. Lifting Platforms are very similar in their construction to lifting platforms, which are known, for example, from the TÜV main inspection.

Compared to platform lifts, lifting platforms perform only a vertical change of position, but not a horizontal one. A prerequisite for installation, in addition to the free space on the lower level for the support system, is free access to the upper level, to which the platform must be lifted close enough. In addition to the above-mentioned components, a Lifting Platform may have additional elements such as movable traversing flaps, locks, railings or weather protection devices. Lifting Platforms must be able to transport the weight of the wheelchair user and at the same time his (possibly electric) wheelchair. Accordingly, the load capacity should be at least 300 kg.

Prices and costs

A lifting platform enables older people to enjoy a new lease of life. The initial cost depends on many different factors, so depending on the equipment and customization, the lift can be much cheaper or more expensive than previously thought.

Factors Affecting Price

The cost of a lift platform is made up of many different factors. Here it depends among other things on which model one decides on, which drive is needed and which additional equipment the lift should have. Furthermore, the price is also calculated according to the height to be overcome and the load capacity. In addition, the lift must be adapted to the customer’s structural and personal situation. Basically, therefore, a lifting platform is in most cases a custom-made product. So, in summary, the following factors further drive up the overall price:

The above factors thus ensure that manufacturers generally cannot give a blanket price information. At the current time, the average price range for a lifting platform over one floor is around 5,000 to 10,000 €. Used models can be had for less than 3,000 €, but it is important to pay close attention to whether the model is suitable at all. When buying a new lift, a manufacturer can only provide a cost estimate after an on-site inspection. In addition, you should consider in advance whether the lifting platform must also have special or adapted equipment. This will allow the manufacturer to provide a quote perfectly tailored to your needs.

Acquisition costs

A Lifting Platform allows barrier-free access often without extensive remodeling of the living environment. It can be installed within a short period of time and is less expensive to purchase than conventional elevators. One should expect costs of at least 5,000 € when purchasing a lifting platform. These prices are standard market prices and do not refer to a single manufacturer. In the case of a single-family house with 1 floor and larger conversion costs, prices of up to 10,000 € can quickly arise. If the Lifting Platform is installed for a wheelchair user, up to 4,000 € subsidy can be applied for and claimed from the care insurance, if a corresponding nursing care degree is available.

The price of a lifting platform depends on various factors such as load capacity, travel speed, number of stopping points, height, type of drive, model and appearance. Lifting Platforms with rain protection are understandably more expensive than those with an open cabin. The real purchase costs can be determined very accurately by obtaining several cost estimates from different lift manufacturers -and service providers. An incalculable size remains however the costs of the necessary rebuilding measures at the single-family dwelling. If larger excavations are necessary at the single-family dwelling, additional costs can develop. Therefore, before buying a lift, find out about “all” the costs involved and financial subsidies. In addition to the care cost subsidy for measures to improve the individual living environment, the state-subsidized KfW Bank promotes measures to reduce barriers with favorable loans of up to 50,000 €.

Prices and customization options vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. There are no blanket price quotations such as a price per 1 meter of height or square meter of cabin area. Generally speaking, the higher a lifting platform is and the more weight it can carry, the more expensive it is. For each additional meter, you should expect to pay at least 2,000 € more, not including costs for conversion work. A lifting platform that is attached to the outside of the facade, is around 2 meters high, has 2 holding points, moves via a hydraulic drive and can be used by one wheelchair user or a maximum of 4 people at the same time should cost at least 8,000 € including installation. The purchase is costly and should be carefully planned. With a price comparison over treppenlifto.de much money can be saved. You will receive up to three free and non-binding offers from lift providers in your region with a request, which you can compare at your leisure and without risk.

Costs for maintenance and servicing

Lifting platforms are low-emission, durable, lightweight and space-saving. A lifting platform only needs to have its oil and seals changed every 5 years. The material required for this is freely available and costs around 100 €. For the professional implementation of the oil -and seal change, one should expect costs of about 500 €. The cost of labor for maintenance is about 1,000 €. As a rule, a partial or full maintenance contract is concluded with the lift manufacturer from whom the lifting platform is purchased to cover maintenance for a period of five or ten years. The costs for maintenance, inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment work and the replacement of wear parts are then usually regulated on a flat-rate basis.

Energy costs

The energy costs for a lifting platform are made up of consumption during travel and standby times. For a lifting platform in a single-family house with 1,500 trips per year, i.e. approximately 4 trips per day, one should expect energy costs of 200 kWh standby power and 100 kWh travel power. At an electricity price of 0.26 €/kWh, this results in annual costs of approximately 78 €. Lifting platforms in single-family homes stand still 99% of the time.

The energy costs therefore depend primarily on how much the elevator is used, whether the installed drive is suitable for the particular usage situation and what height the lifting platform has to overcome. As a rule, more than 50% of the electricity consumed by lift platforms is used in standby (idle) mode. In order to save energy costs, one should make sure when purchasing that LED lamps are installed instead of halogen or incandescent lamps and that a timer function exists for lighting and electronics.

Rent or pay in installments

Many manufacturers also offer the possibility to rent the lifting platform or to pay it off monthly by installments. Here it is advisable to compare the prices of the various providers in detail and in peace with each other – this saves money. Furthermore, it can’t hurt to talk to your bank advisor about a financing model. In some cases, a bank loan may have lower interest rates than a loan through the respective lift manufacturer. In addition, an on-site inspection and estimate should be non-binding and free of charge.

Applications of aerial lifts

Trolley lifts are used to overcome differences in height. They are primarily used for short staircases, such as those found in front of an entrance door. However, the scope of lift applications is not limited to outdoor use, as Lifting Platforms can also be used inside a home to make stairs passable. Unlike stair lifts, which follow the course of the stairs, Lifting Platforms move vertically.

Source: tkelevator.com

Their principle of operation is therefore similar to the normal lift. Lifting platforms can also access an entire floor, but multiple floors are not possible. The maximum height that can be reached is usually 3 m. Lifting Platforms are preferred by wheelchair users because the platform is easy to drive on. The lift can therefore be used completely independently. However, pedestrians can also use lifting platforms. Many models can be equipped with appropriate folding seats, which allow for particularly comfortable and safe transportation.

Advantages and disadvantages of lift platforms

Trolley lifts require only a small amount of space. As a rule, a footprint of about 1.5 square meters is quite sufficient. Their installation also requires little effort. They are thus faster and easier to install than a stair lift. Structural changes to the building are only necessary in rare cases, for example if a new access to the upper floor is to be created. Since Lifting Platforms can be used from several sides, their location can be chosen relatively freely.

Lifting Platforms do not require a shaft. The mechanics or control system also takes up no space outside the lift area. Because there is usually a small height difference in front of the platform, the lifting platform often has to be accessed via a small ramp. However, this is easy to negotiate. However, heights of more than 3 m are unsuitable for a lifting platform. Therefore, if there are several floors, a vertical elevator or a stair elevator is more suitable.

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Outdoor aerial lifts

Aerial lifts can be used outdoors. They are designed to be very robust and have suitably durable materials. However, the control system, mechanics and electronics must always be protected from the weather. It is also advisable to prevent unauthorized third parties from using the hoist outdoors. This can be done, for example, by controlling it with a key.

Photo: © Thyssenkrupp AG

Because assembly of lift systems is fairly simple, they can be retrofitted with relative ease. This is not only true for the home. Lifting Platforms are also used on many public buildings to make them passable for people with mobility impairments. However, Lifting Platforms are also used indoors. Since weather protection can be neglected here, they are slightly cheaper.

Wheelchair Lifting Platforms

Hoist lifts are always suitable for wheelchair users. The platforms of the offered models have a sufficient size to safely transport a wheelchair. In addition, lifting platforms are particularly strong: load capacities of 200 to 300 kg are the norm for lifting platforms. Access to the platform is usually via a short ramp, which can be used as an automatic roll-off guard during transport.

The operation of lift is very simple. Therefore, in any case, the lift can be used alone and without assistance. However, pedestrians can also use Lifting Platforms. This is particularly safe and comfortable with a folding seat. In addition, Lifting Platforms are suitable for transporting loads or baby carriages.

Follow-up costs after purchase

Simple Lifting Platforms are already available from about 5,000 €. However, depending on the desired equipment, structural requirements and depending on the height difference to be overcome, the cost can increase threefold. A favorable alternative is used aerial lifts. They, too, are offered. Since installation is relatively easy, this can save up to 50 percent. Another option is to rent. This comes into question in particular if the lifting platform is only needed for a limited period of time.

Of course, there are follow-up costs after purchase, because the Lifting Platform requires regular maintenance. In this respect, the Lifting Platform hardly differs from a normal stairlift. Outdoor installations are usually more heavily used and therefore require more maintenance. Overall, however, the follow-up costs are rather low and can in no way be compared with an elevator.