How much does a lifting platform cost?

What’s the difference between an elevator and a lifting platform?

Let’s start by saying that both elevators and lifting platforms can improve the usability of spaces and living comfort in buildings. What differentiates these two lifting systems are the reference standards, the possible areas of installation, as well as some technical and functional characteristics. Let’s try to distinguish them better by quickly reviewing their respective characteristics.

• Elevator: this is the ideal system for buildings with more than 4 or 6 floors, apartment buildings or public spaces. It is regulated by the EN 81-20/50:2014 standard. It can be internal or external. It always has a shaft, a cabin and cabin doors. It requires adequate pit and headroom. It moves at a higher speed and can be electric (also called rope or counterweight), battery-powered electric (self-regenerating like our Zen-0 elevator), or hydraulic.
• Lifting platform: perfect for homes, small apartment buildings and private buildings. It complies with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. It allows you to overcome small differences in height or to lift people one or more floors. It can be installed inside or outside the building and can be independent of the shaft, the cabin and the cabin doors. It involves reduced pit and headroom volumes. According to the relevant regulations, it cannot exceed a speed of 0.15 m/s and usually has an electric (also called rope or counterweight), battery-powered electric (self-regenerating like our Mangusta and Miniwatt platforms) or hydraulic (or oleodynamic) system.

For more information on choosing between an elevator or a platform, we recommend you read our dedicated article. In the meantime, let’s continue our in-depth look at the price of lifting platforms, with the variables that affect the cost.

Lifting platform cost: what the price depends on

There are several elements that can affect the cost of a lifting platform. Let’s review them one by one:

• the condition and characteristics of the building can greatly influence the construction and installation costs of the lifting platform, especially in the case where it is necessary to make important structural changes accompanied by specialized labor;
• positioning inside or outside the building: in the first case it is possible to use existing spaces (such as the stairwell), in the second it is necessary to build a masonry or metal containment structure at a higher cost;
• with or without a cabin: the possibility of replacing the cabin with a platform allows for lower costs while increasing the possibilities of integrating this type of system in the most diverse contexts;
• height of the difference in level: the greater the vertical displacement that the lifting platform has to cover, the higher its price;
• load capacity: the greater the load capacity, the higher the cost;
• access for the disabled: to guarantee mobility for people in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility, lifting platforms for the disabled must comply with specific characteristics established by the relevant legislation (Ministerial Decree no. 236 of 14/06/1989) which could increase the cost of the system;
• technology and functionality: choosing more sophisticated and advanced additional components can increase the starting price but can also offer advantages in terms of efficiency and comfort;
• design: materials, finishes, cabins or platforms, doors or gates, handles, displays, buttons, floor button panels, enabling, opening and closing systems. There are many ways to customize and adapt your lifting platform to your environment: each one has a different price;
• type of platform: we’ll focus on this in the next in-depth analysis.

Lifting platform price based on the type of system

There are different types of lifting platforms on the market that we can divide into two macro-categories:

• Inclined lifting platforms (also called stairlifts or stair climbers): these allow disabled people or those with limited mobility to move along an inclined plane by means of an electric motor and an open compartment platform hooked to the rail installed along the side of a staircase;
• Vertical lifting platforms: these allow the vertical transportation of people with or without mobility problems and are also called mini home elevators, suitable for single-family homes or low-rise apartment buildings.

The latter are the focus of this article and, in turn, can be grouped into two types:

1. platforms with automatic operation: they are activated by a button that starts the run, just like a common elevator;
2. man-present platforms: they are activated by holding down the button to start and stop the elevator’s movement. These models don’t have cabin doors, and are simpler and cheaper.

Beyond these characteristics, the cost of lifting platforms also depends on the operating system: systems operated by hydraulic or electric motors, or by the new technology of self-regeneration developed by us at ARE ascensori, have very different prices and energy consumption. We recommend that you also take this last aspect into consideration when making your purchase because, in addition to the initial cost, energy efficiency is an essential element in reducing the running costs of the system while respecting the environment.

Prices of indoor lifting platforms

To summarize what has been said so far, we can say that it is not possible to indicate the exact price of an indoor lifting platform without knowing the specific characteristics of the individual project. To obtain a detailed estimate, a specific quote is needed that takes into account the type of system (electric, self-regenerating or hydraulic), the space available, the height difference to be covered, the finishes and materials chosen, as well as any additional adaptation work.

Prices for outdoor lifting platforms

What we have just written also applies to lifting platforms outside the building. This is an option to consider in all homes that don’t have the necessary internal space for the travel compartment, or in all buildings located in scenic areas. A highly customized glass cabin allows passengers to fully appreciate the surrounding panoramic beauty during ascent and descent. These details, together with the preparation of the metal or concrete structure for the travel space, can greatly affect the cost of an outdoor platform.

Prices of lifting platforms for the disabled

As we mentioned in the list of variables that can influence the price of a lifting platform, the adaptation for disabled people or those with reduced mobility involves compliance with a whole series of legal requirements. In particular, the measurements of the platform and the cabin, the door opening and closing systems, as well as the positioning and height of the internal and external buttons, must comply with specific standards.

Costs that you can amortize by taking advantage of the bonus elevatori 2024 designed with a view to eliminating architectural barriers by creating increasingly accessible spaces. The incentive is valid until December 31, 2025 and allows you to obtain a 75% deduction on expenses incurred between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2025 for the installation or replacement of lifting systems, including lifting platforms. The important thing is to provide proof of the work and the costs incurred with the necessary documentation and traceability.

How much does it cost to maintain a lifting platform?

We conclude our special report with a focus on the expenses following the installation of the lifting platform, given that this type of lifting system also requires periodic checks to guarantee its efficiency and safety. We are referring to:

• six-monthly maintenance that allows you to assess the condition of the mechanical components by carrying out the essential cleaning and lubrication operations;
• two-yearly checks that guarantee the safety of the system in compliance with the law (DPR 162/99 and DPR 23/2017).

For your lifting platform, contact ARE

Contact us for a personalized quote: we will direct you to our nearest local dealer for the inspection that is essential to understand the specific characteristics of your home or property. We hope you found our advice useful and we look forward to seeing you at the next article on our blog.