Platformlifts for wheelchair users – costs, prices & experience

Platform lifts are often also called lifting platforms or wheelchair lifts. Compared to an elevator, they are an inexpensive alternative for wheelchair users and are used especially when a staircase offers little space. A platform lift is usually mounted on the wall rather than on the stairs. He must therefore not necessarily follow the course of the stairs.

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Platform lifts are a lifting device for goods and pearsonen. They consist of a platform, a drive, a support system and several control units. Structurally very similar are lifting platforms, inclined lift and vertical lift. Physically disabled people who are in wheelchairs can use these aids to make their daily lives more autonomous and are no longer dependent on a caregiver in public.

Stair lifts are usually mounted on the stairs, while platform lifts are mounted on the wall. However, there are other mounting solutions when there is no or insufficient space. A platform lift can be mounted both indoors and outdoors, and can be easily retrofitted to an existing building. Outdoor operation is usually done with a key system that protects against unauthorized use. The lift is controlled by the operating buttons (push button or hand switch), by radio or cable remote control.

Prices and costs

A platform lift 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 platform lift is made up of many different factors. Here it depends among other things on which model one decides, 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, the number of steps and the load capacity. In addition, the lift must be adapted to the structural and personal situation of the customer. Basically, therefore, a platform lift 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 can not give a blanket price information. At the current time, the average price range for a platform lift over one floor is around 5,000 to 10,000 €. Used models are already available 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 platform lift, a manufacturer can only provide a cost estimate after an on-site inspection. In addition, you should consider in advance whether the platform lift must also have special or adapted equipment. In this way, the manufacturer can prepare an offer perfectly tailored to your needs.

Acquisition costs

A platform lift allows barrier-free access often without extensive remodeling of the living environment. It can be installed within a very short time and is cheaper to purchase than conventional elevators. When buying a platform lift, you should expect to pay at least 5,000 €. These prices are usual in the market and are not related 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 platform lift is installed for a wheelchair user, up to 4,000 € subsidy can be applied for and claimed from the care insurance, if a corresponding care degree is available.

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The price of a platform lift depends on various factors such as load capacity, travel speed, number of stopping points, height, type of drive, model and appearance. Platform lifts for outdoor use are understandably more expensive than those for indoor use. The real initial cost can be very accurately determined by obtaining several estimates from different lift manufacturers -and service providers.

An incalculable size remains on the other hand 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 platform 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 €.

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Prices and customization options vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. There are no blanket price quotes such as a price per 1 meter height or per stair step. In general, you can say that the more steps are overcome and the more weight it has to carry, the more expensive it is. For each additional meter, you should expect to pay at least 2,000 € more, not including the cost of conversion work.

A platform lift that is attached to the outside staircase, has a rail length of around 2 meters, has 2 stopping points, moves via a hydraulic drive and can be used by a wheelchair user should cost at least 8,000 € with 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 platform lift providers in your region with a request, which you can compare at your leisure and without risk.

Costs for maintenance and servicing

Platform lifts are low-emission, durable, lightweight and space-saving. A platform lift 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 platform lift 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 platform lift are made up of consumption during travel and standby times. For a platform lift 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 approx. 78 €. Platform lifts 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 platform lift has to overcome. As a rule, more than 50% of the power consumption of platform lifts is consumed in standby (idle) mode. To save energy costs, you should make sure when buying 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 platform lift or to pay off monthly by installment. 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.

Differences between stair lifts and platform lifts

A sub-type of platform elevators are inclined stair elevators, i.e. stair elevators that are equipped with a platform. They can usually be operated up to a load of 200 Kg with a simple AC motor (connection by normal socket). For loads over 200 kg, so-called three-phase motors are used, which are more expensive to install and operate. The area of the platform is standardized and is 1m x 80 cm if the lift is to be suitable for a wheelchair user. If a platform lift is purchased as a “standing lift” smaller sizes are also possible. Each platform lift can be folded and stored without losing space. Even on stairs with a width of only one meter, installation is possible.

PhotosPhoto: tkelevator.com

To ensure that each wheelchair is transported safely from A to B, a platform lift usually has a safety bar, a red stop button and ramp flaps that are raised automatically before a ride begins. The ramp flaps prevent the wheelchair from sliding off. The safety bars allow the wheelchair user to hold on in an emergency, and the stop button can be used to interrupt operation during a ride until help arrives. In addition, non-slip floor plates prevent uncontrolled movement of the wheelchair, even during rain, snow or wet conditions. Modern platform lifts also have sensors that can detect objects and obstacles on the stairs and then automatically stop the lift.

Photo: © Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

Platform lifts are often used by wheelchair users because they are user-friendly, provide a large enough standing area, have a high load capacity, and fold easily. They are about 3 times less expensive than the average elevator and are installed at train stations, schools and government offices as part of efforts to improve accessibility in public spaces. Most “standard” platform lifts are not suitable for users with electric wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs are significantly heavier and require a larger footprint than single-handed wheelchairs.

Advantages and disadvantages of platform lifts

A platform lift is convenient. It is as easy to operate as a regular lift and can be easily integrated into an existing building. Its load capacity and size is much higher than that of a stair lift. While an average stairlift has a maximum load capacity of about 120 to 140 kilograms, a platform lift can usually carry a weight of 300 to 320 kilograms.

PhotosPhoto: © Copyright by Ascendor GmbH

Important with the purchase is finally always also the question: Does possibly the condition of the concerning in the future further worsen? Can the grandmother who is currently “only” dependent on a stair lift still operate it in five years? Is it likely that she will be dependent on a wheelchair at a later date? In summary: With a platform lift you are always on the safe side, because it can be used as a seat lift, wheelchair elevator and freight elevator. On a stair lift, on the other hand, only one person can be transported seated, who must be able to sit in the lift independently.

A platform lift can transport large electric wheelchairs and also several people. It is easy and quick to install and requires hardly any alterations to the house. The possible applications are very flexible. Platform lifts can be mounted both outside and inside and can easily be visually adapted to their surroundings. Since they do not have to be mounted on or against the staircase, they do not interfere with other people’s normal use of the stairs. Most suppliers sell the lifts in a modular design. They can therefore be delivered quickly and assembled quickly. The drive of a platform lift requires an electrical connection, but a conventional 230-volt AC outlet is usually sufficient for this purpose.

List of anieter companies and manufacturers

Installation and assembly

A platform lift can be installed both indoors in a family home and outdoors, for example, for access to your own terrace or garden. When it comes to the choice of color, most manufacturers offer a great deal of design freedom, ensuring the most inconspicuous integration into the living environment.

Platform lifts can be bought in all sorts of colors from red, to black, to gold. Access to the platform can usually be from multiple sides and also from corners. This flexibility allows for the assembly and installation of the lift a relatively free choice of location inside or outside a house.

Prices, costs and offers

At about 3 times less expensive a platform elevator is significantly less expensive than a standard elevator. However, it significantly exceeds the cost of an average stair lift. In any case, you have to factor in a five-figure amount when thinking about buying a new platform lift (starting at €10,000 for straight stairs and €15,000 for stairs with curves). In addition, there may be further costs that can be caused by alterations to the house.

A platform lift and its rail system is a custom-made product. Commercially they are used therefore hardly sold and if, then only as general overhauled variant with a warranty of two years. Prices here start from 4000 €. Because of the comparatively complex assembly and maintenance, it is in most cases not possible to rent a platform lift. However, the costs for service and maintenance are kept within limits. Compared to a conventional stairlift, the follow-up costs are also significantly lower. The energy consumption is also lower in most cases.