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How much does a platform lift cost?

Platform lifts are priced to the property rather than from a fixed scale, so the honest answer is "it depends" — but a few clear factors decide where the figure lands. This guide explains what drives the cost of a home lift or commercial platform lift, and why an OnLevel through-floor lift usually costs far less to install than a traditional shafted passenger lift.

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What decides the price

The biggest factors are simple:

  • Travel height and number of floors — a two-storey home lift is the most common and the most economical; serving three or four floors costs more.
  • Domestic vs commercial — a home lift is generally less than a commercial passenger lift, which carries heavier duty ratings and higher usage.
  • Model and finish — glazed cars, bespoke cladding and premium finishes cost more than a standard enclosure.
  • Site preparation — OnLevel lifts need only a shallow 150mm pit and no machine room, so most homes need little structural work; awkward or listed properties can add to the figure.

Why a through-floor lift costs less than a shafted lift

A conventional passenger lift needs a deep pit, a separate machine room and weeks of masonry and shaft construction. An OnLevel through-floor lift arrives factory-built, sits in a 150mm pit, needs no machine room, and is typically installed in three to five days. That removes most of the building cost — the single biggest saving on a domestic installation.

Funding help

You may not have to pay the whole cost yourself. The means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant can contribute up to £30,000 toward a lift where it is needed for a disabled person, and VAT relief often applies. See our funding guide for the detail.

Get a free, no-obligation quotation

Every property is different, so the surest way to a firm figure is a free survey. Our own SafeContractor-accredited engineers assess your home or premises and provide a written, no-obligation quotation. Get in touch to arrange a visit, or see the areas we cover across the UK.