Looking to enhance your quality of life at home? Installing a home lift is a great way to transform your space into an accessible environment that’s easy for everyone to navigate. Whether you’re aiming to address current mobility concerns, plan for the future, or simply looking to increase your resale value, home lifts are a versatile solution with lots to offer homeowners.
At Ram Elevators + Lifts, we believe North Americans deserve a space that meets their current and future needs and should be able to find solutions they can trust. With decades of experience behind our team, we’re here to help you find the right fit for residential and commercial lifts and elevators.
Below, we’ll cover five essential things you need to know to ensure a smooth and successful installation process.
Understanding Your Needs and Space Requirements
Before installing any kind of home lift, you’ll need to thoroughly assess your specific needs and the available space in your home. Home lifts come in various sizes and configurations, and choosing the right one depends on several factors:
Mobility Needs
Consider the primary users of the lift. If it is being used predominantly as a mobility aid for seniors, wheelchair users, or other concerns, these factors are the top priority. If it is being used for general convenience, such as transporting items or overall efficiency, this should be factored in as well.
Space Constraints
Evaluate the space where the lift will be installed, as well as what additional accommodations may be needed for installation. Our Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) is designed to be compact and easy to integrate both indoors and outdoors, helping deserving homeowners make the most of their space!
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is a vital factor when selecting your lift. Make sure your lift is able to accommodate the required weight for your purposes, whether it’s multiple passengers, heavy items, or single use.
Compliance with Local Building Codes and Regulations
Installing a home lift is a significant (though accessible!) home alteration. It’s crucial to make sure that your installation is done in adherence to all local building codes and regulations, which is why working with an experienced team like RAM Elevators + Lifts is essential for success. Our team brings decades of knowledge to each project and is well-versed in all current codes, permits and necessary inspection standards to ensure a hassle-free end result!
Preparation and Installation Process – What to Expect
The preparation and installation process for a home lift varies depending on the type of lift you need, as well as the specifics of your home. In general, the installation process typically looks something like this:
Site Assessment
The RAM team will assess your home’s layout and foundation to determine the most effective location for placement and make any necessary modifications.
Structural Modifications
Depending on the structure of your home (and whether your elevator is being installed in an existing structure or a new build), some alterations may need to be made to the building to accommodate a lift. The most common alterations include cutting through floors and reinforcing walls to accommodate the lift. Luckily, our Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) is designed to be installed with as little site modification as possible.
Installation
Installation can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the project, but with the RAM team on your side, you can rest easy knowing that your project will move forward as quickly as possible.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
Once your home lift is installed, it’s crucial to stay on top of regular maintenance and care to reduce the chance of issues and to keep things running in top condition. Routine inspections, scheduled servicing, and addressing issues as quickly as they arise are essential to ensuring the longevity of your lift and safe usage.
Discover our Vertical Platform Lift Today
For over 30 years, RAM Elevators + Lifts has proudly partnered with property owners and developers across North America to offer residential and commercial lift solutions. Each of our products is fully customizable and comes with the RAM Advantage. Read more about our Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) on our website, or reach out and talk to us today at (780) 484-4776.