Vertical lifts: compare prices & costs

Vertical lifts are among the most comfortable stair aids. They allow people with mobility impairments to overcome large height differences of several floors. Vertical lifts are particularly well suited for wheelchair users, as they have a large platform and high load capacity, and can be comfortably navigated. Elevators are an inexpensive and easily retrofitted solution compared to classic elevators. However, the costs are higher than for a stair lift. For small height differences, lifting platforms may also be considered.

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Wheelchair users are dependent on a stair assistance to master steps. A particularly convenient solution is the vertical lift. Vertical lifts can be easily retrofitted and still offer maximum safety and comfort. They are also suitable for accessing and connecting several floors. The cost of a vertical elevator is significantly below a normal elevator, but above other stairlift solutions.

Prices and costs

A vertical lift allows older people to experience a new way of life. The initial cost depends on many different factors, so depending on the equipment and customization, the lift can be significantly cheaper or more expensive than previously thought.

Cost factors

The cost of a vertical 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 and the load capacity. In addition, the lift must be adapted to the structural and personal situation of the customer. Basically, therefore, a vertical 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 vertical 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 vertical lift, a manufacturer can only provide a cost estimate after an on-site inspection. In addition, you should consider in advance whether the vertical lift must also have special or adapted equipment. In this way, the manufacturer can prepare an offer perfectly tailored to your needs.

Many manufacturers also offer the option of renting vertical lifts or paying them off monthly in installments. Here it is advisable to compare the prices of the various suppliers in detail and at your leisure – this will save you 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.

Acquisition costs

A vertical lift allows barrier-free access often without extensive reconstruction of the living environment. It can be installed within a very short time and is cheaper to purchase than conventional elevators. When buying a vertical 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 vertical 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.

The price of a vertical lift depends on various factors such as load capacity, travel speed, number of stopping points, height, type of drive, model and appearance. Vertical lifts with a rain cover 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 vertical 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 vertical lift is and the more weight it can transport, 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 vertical lift that is attached to the outside of the facade, is about 2 meters high, has 2 holding points, moves via a hydraulic drive and can be used by a 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 vertical lift providers from your region with an inquiry, which you can compare at your leisure and without risk.

Costs for maintenance and servicing

Vertical lifts are low-emission, durable, lightweight and space-saving. With a vertical lift, oil and seals only need to be 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 vertical lift is purchased to regulate 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 vertical lift are made up of consumption during travel and standby times. For a vertical 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 about 78 €. Vertical 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 drive installed is suitable for the particular usage situation and what height the vertical lift has to climb. As a rule, more than 50% of the power consumption of vertical 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 there is a timer function for lighting and electronics.

Differences between vertical elevators and elevators

Elevators function like regular elevators. So the transport is not along the stairs, but directly in the vertical. The person to be transported is on a platform, which is transported up or down by the vertical lift’s drive. Elevators differ from the elevator primarily in that they can be easily retrofitted. Vertical lifts can thus be installed in a particularly space-saving manner, for example.

PhotosSource: tkelevator.com

A masonry shaft is not necessary for this. The entire drive and the control can be integrated into the shaft, so that the installation hardly takes away any space. For the electrical supply usually a conventional socket is sufficient. Complex cabling can thus be avoided. It is also important that legal regulations and the required maintenance effort are considerably lower. The operation of a vertical lift is therefore significantly more favorable than that of an elevator.

Application areas of vertical lifts

In principle, vertical lifts can be constructed very flexibly. Most suppliers offer a kind of modular system. Based on this modular system, buyers can have an individual lift put together. Equipment and appearance can therefore usually be freely determined, as can the respective installation options. On the one hand, this facilitates integration into the living environment, and on the other hand, the vertical lift can thus be adapted to any structural situation.

For example, the vertical lift can be installed directly on the wall or as a free-standing unit. The access can also be designed as a corner or as a passageway. High-quality materials ensure that vertical lifts can be used both inside and outside a building. Vertical lifts can also easily connect several floors in apartment buildings or public buildings.

Vertical lifts for wheelchair users

Vertical lifts are particularly appreciated by wheelchair users. There are several reasons for this. First, the platforms are sufficiently large to transport even larger wheelchairs without any problems. The high load capacity ensures that vertical lifts can also be used with heavy power wheelchairs. Vertical lifts also offer wheelchair users maximum comfort. The platform is usually easy to reach and moving is completely unnecessary.

PhotosSource: © ThyssenKrupp AG

But vertical lifts are not only suitable for wheelchair users; on the contrary, they can also be used by pedestrians without any problems. Most models can be equipped with seating in the form of folding seats. The advantages of the vertical lift also benefit pedestrians. Due to the size and carrying capacity, for example, loads – such as luggage, shopping or strollers – can be easily transported.

Shapes of vertical lifts

Other variants of the vertical lifts are lifting platforms or handicap lifts. Such lifts manage entirely without a shaft. They usually consist only of an open platform that can be moved up or down. Lifting platforms are particularly suitable for overcoming small differences in height of a few steps. Their other properties and features are essentially the same as those of the vertical lift.

Lifting platforms are therefore particularly suitable for wheelchair users. They offer a high level of comfort and a high load-bearing capacity. Compared with vertical lifts, lifting platforms are even easier to retrofit. Structural changes are usually not necessary at all, so that only a few hours should be calculated for assembly. The cost is also significantly lower. Prices already start at under 10,000 €.

Prices, costs and offers

Vertical lifts are among the more expensive stair lifts. The actual price differs significantly from solution to solution, as vertical lifts usually always have to be individually designed. In addition, buyers are free to choose many equipment details. These details concern, for example, the appearance of the stairlift. But safety elements can also be added as desired. Vertical lifts, for example, can be equipped with an automatic emergency call system. However, a five-figure budget must always be taken into account when purchasing a vertical lift.

In addition, vertical lifts are rarely used or even more rarely offered for rent. Due to the individual adaptation to the structural situation of a building, higher follow-up costs must also be calculated when buying a used stairlift. With other stairlift solutions one can save by the second-hand purchase however up to 50 per cent. Renting is usually worthwhile if it is clear that the stairlift will only be needed for a limited period of time.