The 5 things you need to know when considering a lift refurbishment.
1. How much will the cost be?
Depending on the amount of work involved, the costs could run from a few thousand pounds up to tens of thousands of pounds or more for larger lifts.
A simple car re-line on a small lift – changing the look of the inside of the car, could be as little as a four to five thousand. Changing the control panel for the lift could be between ten and twenty thousand. Extensive refurbishment work on a group of lifts could run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds. All will depend on the size and speed of the lift and other technical considerations.
It is important to clearly understand what you want from a lift refurbishment and to then specify it correctly.
2. Which lift contractor to use?
The lift industry in the UK has many lift companies form large multi-nationals, to medium to large size national and, to smaller independent lift companies. Many of them will have the skills and knowledge to undertake this kind of work. As a basic requirement they should be a member of the Lift and Escalator Industry Association. Be wary of any smaller lift contractors who are not a member.
Do some basic due diligence
- Understand the company set up and resource levels
- Ask them for examples of similar projects
- Get references and follow them up
- Put a contract in place to protect yourself
3. How long will it take?
Minor refurbishment works might take a few days, but more substantive works will take several weeks. And the lift will not be useable during this period.
Discuss this with the lift contractor and get a detailed program which clearly breaks down and identifies the items of the work along with the time to complete them.
4. The applicable Standards and Codes
There are a range of standards and codes of practice that are applicable to lift refurbishment works. Your lift contractor should confirm that their quotation includes for adherence to all relevant ones. Listed below are some of the more common ones.
- BS EN81 Part 80: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Existing lifts – Rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger and goods passenger lifts
- BE EN81 Part 82: Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Existing lifts. Rules for the improvement of the accessibility of existing lifts for persons including persons with disability
- BS 5655 Part 11 – Lifts and service lifts – Code of practice for the undertaking of modifications to existing electric lifts
- BS 5655 Part 12 – Lifts and service lifts – Code of practice for the undertaking of modifications to existing hydraulic lifts
5. What are the alternatives to a lift refurbishment?
To refurbish something means to renovate or redecorate it. Where renovate means to restore (something old) to a good state of repair.
One alternative is a lift modernisation. This involves replacing rather than renovating equipment. Often when a lift is at the end of its useful life expectancy, the appropriate things to do is to modernise it.
A further alternative is a lift replacement. Often enough, if the extent of the lift refurbishment or lift modernisation is great, then it can be more cost effective to replace the lift.
If you need advice on lift refurbishment, lift modernisation or lift replacement please get in touch
Find out more about lift refurbishment and lift modernisation on the following links.
Lift Modernisation, lift refurbishment and lift replacement
Lift Refurbishment and Lift Consultants
Lift Modernisation – Integrating new and old technology
Modernising lifts in occupied buildings and loss of lift service
