Understanding the Cost of Lift Installation
When planning to install a home lift in Singapore, your total investment is divided into three main components: statutory approval fees, civil/structural construction works, and the lift equipment and installation itself. Here is a clear breakdown of what to expect.
1. Statutory Approval
Before any construction can begin, you must get official permission from local authorities if a lift was not included in your property’s original building plans. Approval from authorities is one of the key components of lift installation cost.
• What it covers: Preparing and submitting building plans to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
• Estimated Cost: Roughly S$15,000 to S$30,000 (based on previous projects). This estimate generally covers the PE fee for submission but excludes separate BCA/URA application fees and Resident Technical Officer (RTO) supervision fees.
2. Civil and Structural Works
This covers the actual construction needed to prepare your home for the lift. The price of this step depends entirely on the type of lift you choose:
Traction hydraulic lift: Requires heavy excavation to build a deep pit (about 1.2 meters deep) and a solid concrete lift shaft.
Platform Lifts: Requires a very shallow pit (about 5 to 15 cm) or can be installed directly on the ground floor with a small ramp. Comes with its own shaft structure.
Cantilever Lifts: Requires only one side wall installation, can be easily mounted on one side wall or metal structure, saving construction cost and space.
3. Lift Equipment and Installation
This is the final cost to purchase the lift machine itself, deliver it to your property, and have the technicians fully assemble, test, and commission it for safe use.
The lift cost would vary based on the type of mechanism, make of equipment, origin, capacity, floors, customization, and finishes.
