How to plan a lift for your building.
Plan a lift early: decide who and what it will carry and how many floors it serves, then reserve space for the shaft, the pit below the lowest floor and the headroom above the top floor, and a power supply. A free survey confirms the measurements, the quote fixes the equipment and timeline, and installation follows the building programme.
Updated 7 October 2026 · Smartrise, CRB-registered · Elite Tower (Mezzanine Floor), Azikiwe Street, next to Mavuno House, Dar es Salaam
1. What will the lift carry, and how many floors?
Passengers only, goods, beds or cars? How many people at once, and how many stops? A house of up to 6 storeys usually suits a home lift; taller or busier buildings need a commercial elevator. These answers set the cabin size, load and speed.
2. Leave room for the shaft, pit and headroom
Most lifts need a vertical shaft, a pit below the lowest landing and headroom above the top landing. The exact sizes depend on the model — home lifts generally need far less — so share the drawings early and let the survey confirm them before walls are built.
3. Plan the power supply
Lifts need a dedicated supply and isolator near the controller. A battery-backed home lift keeps running in an outage; for commercial elevators, discuss generator or backup arrangements at the design stage.
4. Survey, quote and contract
Our engineers measure and photograph the site and complete a checklist of headroom, pit, power and access. You receive a line-item quote and a contract you can review and sign online.
5. Installation, handover and maintenance
Installation follows the building programme; home lifts take days once the shaft is ready, commercial elevators longer. Handover includes testing, training and warranty documents, and an AMC keeps the lift in service.
Questions people ask
When should I involve a lift company?
At the design stage, before the shaft and slabs are built, so the shaft, pit and headroom match the model you choose.
Can a lift be added after the building is finished?
Often, yes — especially home lifts, which are designed to retrofit into existing houses. A survey confirms it.
More answers on the FAQ page.
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Tell us about your building — we reply within one business day. Or walk into the showroom on Azikiwe Street.
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