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Uplifts Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about homelifts

Whether you’re exploring the benefits of installing a homelift, curious about how they work, or looking for guidance on choosing the right model for your home, you’ve come to the right place. We understand that investing in a homelift is a significant decision, and you may have questions about everything from installation and maintenance to safety and customisation options. That’s why we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions our customers ask, to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. If you don’t see your question here, our friendly team is always on hand to help, so feel free to reach out!

What is a homelift?

A homelift is a residential lift that is designed specifically for a private home. They have been around for decades, however, recent innovations have seen improved designs, lower costs, and easier installs, allowing homelifts to fit in almost any home. 

The key difference between a homelift and a residential elevator is that a homelift is shaftless, avoiding the complex and expensive building work needed to install a lift shaft.

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Can homelifts improve mobility and accessibility in my home?

One of the most common motivations when purchasing a homelift is to improve mobility and accessibility within the home. As people age or face mobility challenges, using stairs can become difficult or even impossible. Homelifts allow improved home mobility, whether your legs are starting to go (as happens to everyone, eventually!), or simply you want to continue living in your home without the physical strain of navigating stairs. 

For those in a wheelchair, a homelift can provide essential access to all levels of the home, ensuring independence and safety, for wheelchair users we recommend the S3 homelift.

Who is a homelift suitable for?

An Uplift’s homelift is an ideal solution for anyone looking to enhance the comfort, accessibility, and value of their home. Whether you’re a homeowner planning for the future, someone with mobility challenges, or simply looking to add convenience to everyday life, an Uplift homelift fits seamlessly into any lifestyle. Stylish, compact, and versatile, Uplift homelifts cater to a wide range of needs and homes.

How many people can fit in the homelift?

Uplift homelifts are designed to offer the perfect balance between space, efficiency and comfort. Depending on the model you choose, our homelifts typically accommodate up to two to three adults. With a focus on safety and ease of use, each homelift ensures ample room for passengers while maintaining a sleek design that integrates harmoniously with your home’s interior.

What is the maximum weight that an Uplift homelift can carry?

Both homelifts in our range have a weight capacity of 250 kg. This makes them ideal for transporting multiple people, shopping bags, or mobility aids with ease. Our homelifts are rigorously tested to meet stringent safety standards, ensuring reliable performance and peace of mind for all users.

Can homelifts make my home safer?

Yes, homelifts can significantly enhance the safety of your home. Installing a homelift can help prevent accidents, especially in homes with steep or lengthy staircases, or for individuals who may struggle with balance or mobility. Falls on the stairs are a leading cause of injury in the home, but with a homelift, you can minimise this risk and create a safer living environment for all family members. By investing in an Uplift homelift, you’re choosing peace of mind and prioritising safety without compromising on style or comfort.

Can homelifts improve convenience in my home?

Yes! Another big reason people invest in homelifts is for convenience. Homelifts make it much easier to move heavy or bulky items, like groceries, laundry, or furniture, between floors without the hassle of stairs. We even hear stories from customers with aging pets, who use the homelift (with the help of their owner!) to continue sleeping at the end of the bed. Some homeowners also install lifts as a precaution, anticipating future mobility issues or simply to add an extra layer of convenience to their daily lives.

What are the main reasons to invest in a homelift?

The main reason that people invest in a homelift, is so that they can stay in the home they love when the stairs get tough. They improve mobility and convenience, especially for elderly or disabled individuals who find stairs challenging. They enhance safety by reducing the risk of falls and make it easier to move heavy items between floors (or elderly pets that still want to sleep at the end of your bed!). Additionally, home lifts add a touch of luxury and modernity to homes, which can increase property value helping recoup some or all the initial investment. In multigenerational households, they can cater to the needs of all ages, providing versatility. Overall, homelifts are a practical, safe, and valuable addition to modern homes.

Is a Uplifts homelift a good investment?

Yes, a Uplifts homelift is a highly beneficial investment. Beyond the advantages of enhanced mobility, convenience, and safety, an Uplift homelift can also add value to your property. Often regarded as a luxurious feature, a homelift brings sophistication and modernity to your home, making it more appealing to potential buyers. This can help recover some or even all of the installation costs over time. By choosing a homelift, you’re not just investing in your home’s functionality but also increasing its long-term marketability.

Where can I install my Uplifts homelift?

One of the great things about our homelifts is that installation is highly flexible, meaning it can fit in almost any room of any home. Whether it’s from a living room to a bedroom, a hallway to a landing, a dining room to an office… the opportunities are limitless and our architects will help you choose the perfect position for your home. Additionally, our homelifts can be installed with minimal structural modifications, making them suitable for both new builds and more commonly now being retrofitted into existing homes!

Is there any building work needed?

Yes, but very little. Usually our homelifts can be installed with minimal structural modifications. The main piece of work is for the aperture to be cut out by one of our trained builders. Every home is different, and sometimes other work is needed (for example, sometimes pipes may need to be moved) but this is often minimal, and all taken care of by us!

Do I need planning permission, like with normal home elevators?

This is one of the brilliant things about Uplifts homelifts, no planning permission is needed, due to their innovative shaftless design! The maximum requirement needed to install an Uplifts homelift is the Homa standard building notice application which involves an inspection by an authorised independent body, usually during the building phase. Don’t worry, the Uplifts team organise all of this for you, if and when it’s required.

How long does installation take?

Something we are really proud of at Uplifts, is how we’ve designed our homelifts to be super easy to install. We’ve innovated on existing installation processes, and our installation time once the building preparation work has been done, is less than a day.

How many floors can a Uplifts homelift travel?

Uplift homelifts are designed to travel between two floors, making them an excellent solution for improving accessibility and convenience in your home. Whether you need to move between the ground and first floor or another two-level configuration, our homelifts provide a seamless and reliable experience.

How are Uplifts homelifts powered?

Uplifts homelifts can plug into a standard wall socket (however, our installers will often opt for a simple, neat and tidy fused spur to connect your homelift directly to mains power). Our drive system is an innovative roped-drum drive system powered by a braked motor-gearbox that is discreetly contained in the top of the lift, meaning there is no need for noisy hydraulic pumps installed in nearby cupboards, or unattractive motor boxes attached to your ceiling.

How are Uplifts homelifts controlled?

When you’re in the homelift, the Uplifts homelifts are controlled with our simple push buttons on the control panel. From outside the lift, there will also be a remote control on both the bottom and top floor so you can call the lift to wherever you are.

Do you need to hold the button throughout the duration of the lift travelling between floors?

Yes, the button needs to be held throughout the journey up or down. This can be either the button inside the lift or on the remote control, one of the two must be continuously held to ensure safe and controlled operation.

Do I need to fix my homelift to a wall?

The Uplifts range have an innovative self-supporting structure. All of the weight of the homelift is taken in either the middle floor, or the lower floor, minimising the burden on your home, meaning no wall fixtures are required. 

Our S2 and S3 homelift models work on guide rails that stand independently and do not need to be fitted to a wall. This innovative design allows for greater flexibility in installation, making them suitable for a wide range of home layouts.

What happens in a power cut?

Don’t worry, all Uplifts homelifts have a back-up battery system that means that in the event of a power cut, you can still drive your homelift safely down to the lower.

Do the Uplifts homelifts use a lot of electricity?

No, all of our Uplifts homelifts are very energy-efficient, one journey uses the same amount of electricity as boiling a kettle.

How much space does an Uplifts homelift take up?

Our homelifts are some of the most compact on the market, taking up as little as is 0.6m2. Despite this, our innovative cabin design which sees our guide rails integrated into the cabin means that almost all the external footprint is internal usable space, unlike other models which have bulky guides protruding from the back or the side of the homelift.

Do you comply with any compliance or international standard codes?

Absolutely. This is not negotiable. All Uplifts homelifts fully comply with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. This compliance allows all Uplifts homelifts to have a CE mark, allowing the products to be legally sold throughout Europe.We also comply to the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC and the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

To further ensure that we are designing top quality, reliable and safe homelift, we also design and manufacture our homelift in accordance with harmonised European standards: Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Lifts – Specialised Lifts for the transport of persons and good. Vertical lifting platforms intended for use by persons with impaired mobility BS EN81-41:2010.

What happens if I don’t want my homelift anymore or I move home?

Unlike other hydraulic homelifts, or a home elevator with a shaft, our Uplifts homelifts are easy to remove due to the minimal building modifications needed for the homelift, and the self-supporting structure. This means that if you are moving home, we can simply remove it, and you can take it with you. It is easy to reverse the aperture opening and seal it and your home will look as if the lift was never there.

How long does it take to get my homelift?

Typically the process from order to installation takes 12 weeks, which gives us enough time to work with you on the architectural drawings of your home, organise the building works, get the aperture cut, and install the homelift.

What is the warranty on an Uplifts homelift?

We offer a 2-year comprehensive warranty on parts and labour, and you can purchase an extension to this any time during or after the  2-year period.

Is VAT charged on a purchase?

VAT is chargeable on all Uplifts homelift unless you are disabled or have a long-term illness. In this case you may be exempt from paying VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use.  If you believe you are exempt, the Uplifts team can talk you through the process and offer an exemption form.

What safety measures are in place for children and pets?

At Uplifts, safety is our top priority. Our homelifts are equipped with advanced safety features to ensure a secure ride for everyone, including children and pets. These include:

  • Safety edges that immediately stop the lift if an obstruction is detected.
  • Overload detectors to prevent operation if the weight limit is exceeded.
  • A patent-pending independent braking system for enhanced reliability.
  • A back-up battery to keep the lift operational during power outages.
  • An integrated phone for quick communication in case of emergencies.

Every detail is designed to provide peace of mind and ensure the safety of your loved ones, furry friends included.

How often should homelifts be serviced for safety?

Uplifts products include one free service per year, which is sufficient to keep your homelift operating at full capacity. Regular servicing ensures optimal performance, longevity, and safety, giving you peace of mind throughout the year.

I’m a wheelchair user. Do you have a lift for me?

Let us introduce you to the S3 Uplift! Stylish and spacious, the S3 will accommodate a full sized wheelchair, and even some powered wheelchair models, giving you freedom and independence in your home, and making your home truly yours.

Do you have a fail-safe solution?

Safety is our number 1  priority. Our homelifts are supported by two strong steel cables, and we have purposely chosen 8mm steel cables vs the 6mm that other homelift companies use. In the highly unlikely event that these cables were to break or lose tension, our patented, independently acting fall arrest system inside the lift will activate and not allow the lift to move. We’ve taken the technology that commercial elevators use, and miniaturised it, ensuring the system is completely fail-safe.

Can I choose the colour and finish of my homelift?

While it’s not currently possible to customise the colour and finish of your homelift, this is an exciting feature we plan to offer in the future. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates and announcements about this and other enhancements!

Are there different models or sizes available to fit unique spaces?

We offer two versatile models to suit your needs. The Uplifts S2 is designed to comfortably carry 1-2 people, while the Uplifts S3 can accommodate up to three people or one person in a wheelchair. Both models have a weight capacity of 250 kg, ensuring they are practical and reliable for various requirements and spaces.

What financing options are available for purchasing a homelift?

Currently, we do not offer financing options. However, we are continually exploring ways to make our homelifts more accessible and will share updates if financing becomes available in the future.

Are there any ongoing maintenance costs after installation?

With your purchase, you’ll receive one free service per year for the first two years, covered under our two-year warranty. After the warranty period, you have the option to purchase an extended warranty for continued peace of mind. Regular servicing ensures your homelift remains in top condition, with minimal ongoing costs.

Can I get government grants or financial assistance for a homelift?

Yes, you may be eligible for government grants or financial assistance for a homelift. You can apply through your local council, which offers two different processes: the Disabled Facilities Grant and a general grant. Each has its own criteria and application process, so it’s worth checking with your council to determine the best option for you.

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For media enquiries, please contact: uplifts@themtmagency.com

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