Should You Install a Home Lift? Pros, Cons & Types for Landed Properties in Singapore

As more homeowners in Singapore rebuild or extend their landed properties, one question comes up frequently:

“Should I install a home lift?”

Whether it’s for aging parents, resale value, or future-proofing your home, a private lift offers many advantages — but it also comes with costs and compliance considerations.

This guide will help you weigh the pros, cons, and types of residential lifts, including practical examples from Singapore’s context.

Glass Lift w/Glass Shaft

Benefits of Installing a Home Lift

1. Future-Proof Accessibility

As we age, staircases become a challenge. A home lift:

• Enables barrier-free access across all levels

• Supports multi-generational living

• Makes it easier to move wheelchairs, strollers, groceries, or furniture

2. Adds Property Value

In today’s landed home market:

• Buyers are increasingly prioritising accessibility

• Premium homes (3-storey or with attic) expect lifts

• A lift can add 5–10% to resale value, especially in districts popular with retirees or overseas buyers

3. Daily Convenience

Even without mobility issues:

• Reduce trips up/downstairs

• Easier for domestic helpers or deliveries

• Helpful during injury recovery or pregnancy

4. Compact, Space-Efficient Options

New technology allows for lifts with:

• No machine room

• Minimal pit and headroom

• Shaftless or self-contained models

Drawbacks & Practical Challenges

1. Installation Cost

Estimated supply + install costs:

• Basic 3-stop lift: $40,000–$80,000 depending on brand and type

• Shaft construction: $30,000–$80,000 depending on material

2. Ongoing Maintenance

• Annual servicing required under BCA guidelines

• $1,000–$2,000/year typical maintenance contract

• Spare parts may need to be imported, depending on brand

3. Retrofitting Is Disruptive

Adding a lift to an existing home can involve:

• Hacking slabs or staircase areas

• Strengthening beams or foundations

• External hoistway structures (which may affect GFA)

4. Regulatory Compliance

• BCA approval for structural works

• SCDF regulations if fire-rated shaft is needed

• Proper electrical loading (some lifts need 3-phase power)

Types of Home Lifts Available in Singapore

Here’s a breakdown of the 4 common residential lift types you’ll encounter:

Type	Mechanism	Pros	Cons	Suitable For
Hydraulic	Uses fluid pressure with piston	Smooth ride, relatively quiet	Needs pit + machine room; more maintenance	New builds with space for shaft
Traction (MRL)	Steel cable & motor (machine room-less)	Energy efficient, common in condos	Higher cost than hydraulic	Homes with shaft space but no room for machine box
Vacuum / Pneumatic	Air pressure within vertical tube	No shaft needed, compact	Low capacity (~2 persons), max 3–4 stops	Tight space or retrofits
Screw/Nut Drive (HomeLift models)	Rotating screw shaft + carriage	Quiet, simple mechanics	Slightly slower; not ideal for frequent use	Cost-conscious homeowners or part-time use

When Should You Install a Home Lift?

Scenario	Recommendation
Rebuilding or major A&A	Plan lift from start — more affordable
3-storey layout with elderly or resale target	Strongly recommended
Already built home	Feasible but expect disruption and higher cost
2-storey home with long-term vision	Optional but great for future-proofing

Final Tips Before Installation

• Choose minimum 250kg load for 2 pax + wheelchair

• Plan shaft near stairwell

• Request local support and spare parts guarantee

• Always engage a builder and lift supplier early in design phase