Also known as a home elevator, a home lift is an excellent long-term investment that allows you to access all the rooms in your house without using the stairs. Home lifts are especially recommended for those living with disability or having mobility problems.

How much will it cost to install a home lift?

Home elevators come in different models, sizes, finishes and prices to suit each homeowner’s personal requirements, design preferences and budget. Based on the purpose – be it luxury or practical – home lifts are available in many different types and price ranges.

When it comes to cost, there are several variables that can affect pricing including model, location, size and height, and finishes among others.

Home lifts from Direct Lifts Australia are available from A$38,000 up to A$65,000.

Canberra

Home lift in Canberra ACT

The Linea lift in this installation is perfect for people to carry heavy items to a higher floor as well as for those who have mobility problems. It has a capacity of up to 400kg and stops on three floors. Four downlights in the cabin ceiling provide illumination. The wood flooring completes this luxurious look.

Best residential lifts for new homes

Value option: Linea Hydraulic with Swing Doors | Prices start at $38,000 +GST

Swing doors

Linea lift with a swing door

The Linea lift with hydraulic drive and swing doors is a well-proven design that has a reduced amount of components vis-à-vis a traction model. You can choose the lift in compact or large models to suit your requirements. Your architect or builder will simply create a 4-sided vertical space for the lift (called a shaft), with one of the walls being structurally suitable for the lift drive to be installed.

With a budget-friendly price tag, this hydraulic model offers value for money and is easy to keep in great condition well into the future.

Premium option: Linea Gearless with Sliding Doors | Prices start at $48,000 +GST

Bellevue Hill NSW

Actual home lift installation in Bellevue Hill, New South Wales

A Linea lift with a gearless traction drive and automatic sliding doors provides unrivalled energy efficiency and ride quality via a VVVF controlled gearless drive system. Being a gearless drive type, it has no gearbox as seen on other residential lifts in the Australian market, which consume extra power and create an extra point of maintenance.

Gearless motors have the same design and type found in high-speed high-rise lifts that are required to run 24 hours, 7 days a week. Lifts of this type need the ultimate longevity and power efficiency.

Similar to the hydraulic lift model, an architect or builder will provide a vertical shaft for the lift.

Best residential lifts for existing homes

Value option: Flex-E | Prices start at $39,000 +GST

Vaucluse NSW

Small home lift installed in Vaucluse NSW

The Flex-E home lift is a highly adaptable model, which is suited to existing homes thanks to the easy installation process.

The lift model can be designed to the space available in the house. You can choose from:

  • a compact one-person model measuring 860 x 960 mm
  • a larger wheelchair-capable model accommodating up to 5 people measuring 1460 x 1540 mm

Another drawcard is that the Flex-E model includes the shaft, which can be ordered with panoramic glass sides and also in hundreds of colours to suit your design preferences.

Mostly aluminium in construction, the shaft is lightweight and can be placed directly onto an existing floor. An additional benefit is that in most cases, this eliminates the need for excavation or setdowns for lift pits that can increase the builder’s work and disturb your current slab.

The versatility of door options is a major advantage – you can select the doors to be placed on up to three of the sides, at any height, left or right hinged and also in unique sizing.

When you have settings with low ceiling heights at the top or if you are looking to minimise the appearance, a half top gate option measuring 1100mm is available for the top level.

Key competitive advantages over other home lift providers:

  • Safer (don’t risk having a home lift with just supporting rails)
  • Longer lifespan – as durable as a commercial lift
  • Quicker
  • Stronger capacity (400kg)
  • Larger with full 1100×1400 mm platform
  • Different door sides are available
  • Smaller pit (other providers have a 100mm ramp in their lift car entry, making it difficult for wheelchair users)
  • Can be colour matched at extra cost
  • Looks stylish and modern adding better value to your home
  • Can be custom sized if required at extra cost

Premium option: Linea Gearless with Glass Structure by Direct Lifts | Prices start at $65,000 +GST

Wavell Heights

Linea home lift in Wavell Heights QLD

The Linea gearless elevator with optional glass structure (shaft) can be an ideal solution for owners seeking commercial-grade quality and features within a residential environment. A glass structure can exhibit the inner workings of the Italian-designed drive system to become a showpiece of any high-end home.

The Linea model is highly versatile with three installation options:

  • Shaft by builder
  • Structure by Direct Lifts ready to be enclosed by the builder
  • Structure with glass or another panel by Direct Lifts to provide a finished product

The latter two options with structures can be ideal for retrofitting the lift into existing homes as they substantially reduce the builder’s work, or in some cases, completely eliminate it.

Best residential selections for round lifts

Value option: PVE 30 | Prices start at $55,000 +GST

Potts Point Sydney

Penthouse lift installation in Potts Point Sydney

The air vacuum home elevator is now a proven technology that requires a minimal footprint for installation.

The pneumatic vacuum elevator allows the user to seamlessly move between floors with the bonus of an unobstructed 360-degree view.

This personal home lift is available in three models:

  • 30 inch – 1 person
  • 37 inch – 2 persons
  • 52 inch – 3 persons

No pits are required, making it easy to install in new or existing homes.

Premium option: Giotto | Price: Made to order so pricing can vary

Giotto

Round home lift installed in Turramurra, NSW

The Giotto circular elevator with glass structure is a proven feature item in premier residences across Europe.

Now available in Australia, the Giotto lift is customised to your preferences in size, door type and finish to suit the project’s décor and installation requirements.

With the bespoke design, each lift’s price will vary based on preferences.

Direct Lifts is an Australian-owned and operated company offering the most innovative and diverse residential lift range in Australia.