Before you buy a home elevator in Australia, the most important questions to ask any supplier are about compliance, the all-in price, installation disruption, service support and warranty. The answers separate a trusted, long-term partner from a cheap quote you will regret. A lift is a 20 to 30 year investment that carries the people you love, so a little due diligence up front protects your safety, your budget and your home. Here are the ten questions worth asking every supplier, and why each one matters.
The 10 Questions
1. Is the lift certified to AS1735? This is non-negotiable. AS1735 is the Australian Standard for lifts, and compliance underpins safety, insurance and resale. If the answer is vague, walk away.
2. What is the all-in price? Ask for a figure that includes the lift, installation, permits, electrical work and finishes. A low headline unit price can hide thousands in extras, so insist on an itemised, complete quote you can compare fairly.
3. New build or retrofit, and what building works are needed? This drives cost and disruption more than anything else, so you want it spelled out before you commit.
4. How long will installation take, and how disruptive is it? Get the on-site days and a clear picture of which parts of the home are affected and for how long.
5. Do you handle permits and certification? A good supplier manages the building permit, engineering certification and inspections for your state, so you are not left navigating regulations yourself.
6. What are the ongoing service costs, and what do they cover? Expect roughly $900 to $1,200 a year, and ask exactly what a service includes and what counts as an extra.
7. How available are parts and technicians? Strong parts stock and local technicians mean faults are fixed in one visit, not several, and that the lift is still serviceable in fifteen years.
8. What warranty do I get, on the unit and the installation? Check the length and precisely what is covered, and what you must do (such as regular servicing) to keep it valid.
9. Can I see one working? Insist on visiting a showroom or a reference installation before committing. Riding a lift tells you more than any brochure.
10. Who am I actually buying from? Track record matters for a two to three decade relationship. Ask about years in business, number of installs, and genuine reviews.
Red Flags to Watch For
A handful of warning signs recur. Vague or incomplete pricing. No clear mention of AS1735. No offer to handle permits. Thin or unclear service support. No showroom and no references. And pressure to sign quickly before you have your questions answered. A reputable company welcomes all ten questions and answers them comfortably, in writing. Discomfort with any of them tells you something.
Why This Checklist Protects You
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value on a product that has to be safe, compliant and serviceable for decades. These questions surface the things that matter over the life of the lift, not just on the day of purchase: whether it is safe and legal, whether the price is real, whether installation will go smoothly, and whether you will be looked after long afterward. Asking them turns a leap of faith into an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask before buying a home lift? About AS1735 compliance, the all-in price, installation and disruption, permits, service costs, parts and technician availability, warranty, seeing one working, and the supplier’s track record.
How do I compare home lift quotes fairly? Insist on all-in pricing that covers the lift, installation, permits, electrical work and finishes, rather than comparing unit prices alone.
Why does AS1735 matter? It is the Australian Standard for lifts, essential for safety, insurance and resale. A compliant lift is a safe and saleable one.
How important is service support? Very. A 20 to 30 year lift needs reliable servicing, good parts availability and 24/7 help, so the provider’s longevity matters.
Should I visit a showroom before buying? Yes. Seeing and riding a lift, and checking references, is the best way to buy with confidence.
Ask us anything on the list. Talk to Easy Living, Australia’s number one home elevator company, with 28-plus years in business and more than 12,500 lifts installed.
