There are many reasons why someone might explore adding a lift to their current residence. It could be a way to increase the property value or interest in the home. It could be that one of the resident’s experiences reduced mobility. It could be that the residents make frequent trips between stories carrying large or heavy items. Each situation is unique.
The benefit of a lift is no longer reserved for hotels or skyscrapers. There are affordable home lift installation services in Singapore that can assist in planning and implementing this feature. Here are a few of the fundamental decisions that will go along with adding a lift.
Needing a Professional
Installing a lift is not the kind of project that most homeowners can tackle on their own. It requires technical, engineering, and electrical expertise with a high degree of precision. The design and installation have to be done to exact specifications to ensure proper function. Conversely, the risk of not having the lift professionally installed is the potential for great harm if the lift fails.
Which Type?
Most home lifts installed will be one of two primary types: pneumatic or hydraulic. The hydraulic option is typically more affordable. A hydraulic lift features a piston inside of a cylinder to control the movement of the lift. This type of lift will rarely require a separate space for the mechanical components. A pneumatic lift is typically at the higher end of the expense range because they are the easiest to retrofit to an existing home. This type of lift uses a vacuum tube to pull the lift between the floors. It is difficult for a pneumatic elevator to be concealed owing to the fact that its installation consists of simply adding to the existing structure, typically an outside wall.
Hidden or Obvious
As a lift is incorporated into a pre-existing home, the inclusion needs to look intentional. Even if it is installed so that it seems part of the original build and design, you can still opt for the lift to be tucked away. Or, if you want the lift to appear as a feature, there are ways to install it so that it captures the design of the home. This is a question that you’ll have in mind though, in some situations, the necessity of where the lift needs to be may dictate its visibility.
Capacity
Most residential lifts are moving between two floors, which is why they are known as a two-stop lift. If the home has more floors to access, the cost will increase, and the space required to support the necessary mechanics may increase as well. Additionally, what capacity is the lift intended to support? The larger the lift, the more people it can carry.
Safety Codes
Remember to consult your local laws to determine which codes, permits, or inspections may be required for your intended project. This may or may not be a service that your hired contractor can cover for you. Either way, it may be helpful for you to know in advance if local ordinances will restrict your options.
