How To Review A Home Lift Quotation – Key Sections To Check: Shaft, Installation, And After-Sales

When you receive a quotation for a home lift, do not simply compare the total price. The shaft, installation boundaries, and after-sales warranty are the areas where hidden charges are most common. Many owners only discover after signing that key items were not included, leading to significant budget overruns. Below is a step-by-step guide to reviewing your quotation.

A proper quotation should include the following core sections:

① Lift Equipment Cost

• Drive type clearly stated (screw-drive / traction / hydraulic)

• Cabin materials (stainless steel, leather, glass, etc.)

• Door system type (manual swing / automatic)

• Brand and origin of key components

Key points to check:

1. Be wary of quotations that include only the equipment, with the shaft frame (an extra £3,000+), power supply connection (£1,500+), and other items listed separately.

2. Insist on a “full-package contract” that clearly states it includes: equipment + transport + installation + first year‘s maintenance.

② Shaft Construction Cost

• Shaft survey and design fee

• Shaft material cost (steel structure: approx. £2,000-3,000; aluminium panoramic shaft: approx. £5,000-6,000)

• Shaft construction labour

• Shaft finishing

Details to check:

1. Confirm whether the quotation includes the shaft – for integrated panoramic lifts, check the shaft frame material: aluminium alloy or standard steel? Is the glass laminated safety glass? What is the glass thickness, is it toughened, and how many panoramic sides are included?

2. Scope of shaft work: does it include internal panelling, sealing, and waterproofing? For outdoor installations, confirm weatherproofing and corrosion protection.

3. Clearly stated exclusions: structural openings, wall reinforcement, and floor removal are building works – are these the owner‘s responsibility?

Common trap: Some suppliers quote only for the lift equipment, with the entire shaft charged separately – adding an unexpected £3,000-5,000 to the total.

③ Installation and Transport Cost

• Installation and commissioning (typically £1,500-2,500 per lift)

• Transport and lifting (£200-800)

• Building works (floor cutting, etc. – £100-2,000)

Details to check:

1. Are transport, lifting, and handling included? If site access is poor, additional lifting costs may apply – these should be noted in advance.

2. Does the quotation include installation, on-site materials, site protection, waste removal, and initial testing?

3. Clarify the installation boundaries: electrical work, dedicated supply, and sockets are usually the owner‘s responsibility – the quotation should make this clear.

4. Lead times: the quotation should state the manufacturing and installation lead times, and any penalties for delays.

④ After-Sales and Warranty Terms

• Warranty period (complete unit: how many years; key components: how many years)

• Fault response time (e.g., on-site visit within 24 hours)

• Number of annual maintenance visits (2-4 times per year)

• Are spare parts prices clearly listed?

Details to check:

1. How many years of warranty are provided for the complete lift? What is the separate warranty period for key components (drive unit, control system)? Get this in writing – do not rely on verbal promises.

2. Distinguish between the free maintenance period and what it covers – which parts are chargeable?

3. Once the free period ends, what is the annual maintenance charge and the response time for service calls?

4. Can the owner choose a third-party maintenance provider in future? Is the control system encrypted to prevent third-party servicing?

5. A list of wear-and-tear parts and their supply lead times – for brands with key components sourced from overseas, confirm that local parts stock is available, to avoid waiting months for parts.

ZADIM‘s official quotations clearly itemise the shaft materials, glass specification, scope of installation, warranty periods for the complete unit and key components, and the maintenance plan. Items that are the owner‘s responsibility are clearly marked, and a full specification list is provided – making it easy to compare quotes from different suppliers.