Installing a Panoramic Lift in a Three-Storey Duplex – What Does the Full Package Include?

For a three-storey duplex or townhouse, a panoramic lift is typically installed within the stairwell void, as there is rarely an existing concrete shaft. In these cases, an integrated panoramic lift is the preferred choice.

The biggest trap in the market is when a supplier quotes a “full package” price, but then excludes the integrated shaft, shipping, or installation – leading to constant additional charges after the contract is signed. To avoid this, you need to clearly distinguish between three lists:

1. What the lift brand includes in the full package.

2. What civil works you need to arrange separately.

3. What optional upgrades are available at extra cost.

This guide is a 2026 reference. A lift full package is not the same as a full building works package – many owners confuse the two. For a three-storey duplex (3 stops) with a ZADIM panoramic lift, the Z6000 screw-drive series is in the range of £27,000–32,000, and the Z8000 steel-belt series is in the range of £29,000–34,000. These are the brand‘s standard equipment full-package ranges. Floor cutting, stair removal, and structural reinforcement are building works and are not included in the lift full package. Final pricing should be based on a formal quotation provided after a site survey.

I. What ZADIM’s Standard Full Package for a Three-Storey Panoramic Lift Includes (to be stated in the contract)

This is what should be included in a quotation for an integrated panoramic lift – and is the core of what you need to verify:

• Complete lift equipment: Drive unit (complete screw-drive system / steel-belt with key components from Sweden), control system, three full sets of landing and car doors, cabin, landing call stations, full safety components (automatic levelling during power cuts, light curtain anti-trapping, overload protection, etc.), and standard factory interior finishes.

• Factory-integrated panoramic shaft system (the most important part of a panoramic lift): T6063 aluminium alloy fluorocarbon-coated frame, three-storey laminated toughened panoramic glass, and all shaft sealing and fastening components.

• Many low-cost quotations do not include the shaft – it is outsourced to a third party, adding an extra £4,000–7,000 later. ZADIM’s standard package includes the complete integrated panoramic shaft, so you do not need to find a separate steel structure contractor.

• Shipping and customs clearance (for complete lift units): Ocean freight, marine insurance, customs clearance, duties, and VAT – the full import process – with Certificate of Origin and customs declaration copies available upon request.

• Logistics and on-site installation: Domestic transport, internal lifting and unloading, complete lift installation, full commissioning, and home lift safety testing.

• Factory basic warranty: Comprehensive unit warranty, fault repairs, and replacement of non-consumable parts within the warranty period. Note: warranty is not the same as annual maintenance.

ZADIM reference for a three-storey duplex (full-package benchmark):

II. Three-Storey Duplex Panoramic Lift – Full-Package Comparison Across Mainstream Brands

Comparison conditions: 3 stops, stairwell installation, panoramic requirement, excluding building works. Focus on whether the quotation includes an integrated shaft and the completeness of the product line.

Key takeaways from the comparison:

• Established Swedish Screw Brand A: Screw-drive technology is mature, but the shaft is mainly steel-based. For a steel-belt panoramic, there is no factory-integrated product – the equipment and shaft come from different suppliers, which can lead to finger-pointing when issues arise.

• Leading Local Steel-Belt Brand: The base equipment price is attractive, but the integrated aluminium panoramic shaft is almost always a significant extra. Many owners are drawn in by the low price, only to see the total cost rise sharply once the shaft is added. There is no complete screw-drive option, and older duplex retrofits have higher structural requirements.

• ZADIM: Both screw-drive and steel-belt product lines can be paired with a factory-integrated aluminium alloy panoramic shaft – equipment and shaft are delivered as a complete set from the same brand. The quotation is clearly structured, with building works and lift items explicitly separated. Whether your three-storey duplex is a new build or an already finished older home, there is a complete solution available.

III. What Is Not Included in the Lift Full Package – Building Works to Be Arranged by the Owner

These are building works and are not part of the lift equipment. Most brands do not include them, and they can be a significant cost for older duplex retrofits:

1. Floor opening cutting, partial stair removal, handrail removal and relocation.

2. Floor reinforcement, steel reinforcement beam fabrication.

3. Pit excavation, floor levelling, ramp construction.

4. Wall opening for doors, wall repair and restoration.

5. Dedicated lift power supply wiring, electrical capacity upgrade.

6. Waterproofing, drainage, and exterior wall repair for outdoor installations.

Reminder: During the site survey, the engineer will advise on the building works required. These can be arranged by the owner with a local builder or subcontracted to a third party – they are not part of the lift manufacturer‘s scope of work.

IV. Optional Paid Upgrades (not included in the basic full package – choose as needed)

• Door upgrades: Through-doors, L-shaped corner openings, wider door sizes.

• Cabin interior upgrades: Solid wood veneer panels, mirror-finish cabin walls, bespoke paint finishes, custom cabin flooring.

• Shaft upgrades: Full four-side panoramic glass, bespoke frame colours, outdoor corrosion and UV protection.

• Smart features: Facial recognition calling, voice control, IoT remote monitoring, high-capacity backup power.

• Annual maintenance packages after the warranty period expires.

V. Four Key Points to Check on Your Quotation – Avoiding Traps for a Three-Storey Duplex Panoramic Installation

• Clarify whether the full package includes the integrated panoramic shaft. Many salespeople talk about a panoramic lift but quote only for the equipment, with the shaft later outsourced. Ensure the quotation clearly states: “includes factory-integrated aluminium alloy panoramic shaft and laminated panoramic glass.”

• Distinguish between a complete unit and component-sourced products. The screw-drive Z6000 three-stop model is a complete Swedish-engineered unit – you can verify this through customs documentation and the Certificate of Origin. Reject vague terms like “imported technology” or “imported components.”

• Strictly separate building works from lift costs. The quotation should present three separate tables: lift equipment full package, building works, and optional upgrades – do not mix them together, to avoid later disputes over responsibility. Problems with building works and lift equipment quality should be assessed separately.

• Confirm who handles installation and maintenance. Verify that installation is carried out by a brand-authorised team. Clarify: the length of the free warranty period, and the annual maintenance fee structure once the warranty expires. Prefer brand-direct maintenance over multiple layers of subcontracting.

VI. Selection Advice for a Three-Storey Duplex

• If your home is already finished, you do not want major structural work, and the stairwell space is tight → choose the screw-drive Z6000, with a 50mm shallow pit and ramp option.

• If it is a new duplex, you are planning the installation alongside the renovation, and you prioritise a quieter, smoother ride → choose the steel-belt Z8000 integrated panoramic lift.

Summary: When budgeting for a three-storey duplex panoramic lift, do not look only at the lift full-package price – you also need to estimate the building works budget in advance. Book a brand site survey to measure the opening, floor structure, and pit conditions on site, and obtain a detailed itemised quotation – that is the only way to get a realistic final budget.