A wheelchair platform lift is undoubtedly a nifty tool that you should consider having in your home. Ideal for low-rise travel, these lifts make it easy for people with injuries or mobility challenges to access and navigate across all areas of their homes without breaking a sweat. 

With a wheelchair platform lift, you can move up and down different levels of your home without having to leave your wheelchair – or power chair or scooter. Whether you have an injury from an accident or you’re disabled, this is something you want to have in your home.

And with the different types of lifts available, you’re able to choose one that best suits your needs. 

However, choosing a wheelchair platform lift also requires weighing several factors and considerations. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most important considerations before buying a wheelchair platform lift: 

Factors to Consider When Buying A Wheelchair Platform Lift 

Type of Lift 

Without a doubt, the most critical factor to be considered when buying a wheelchair platform lift is the type of lift itself. 

Generally, there are three types of lifts to choose from: 

Vertical Platform Lift: The vertical platform lift focuses on making it easy to move up and down a distance. They can be used both outside and within a home, so they are quite versatile. As the name suggests, a vertical platform lift primarily helps you to get over challenges in height. These lifts are advantageous because they don’t require much additional installation space. 

Vertical platform lifts are arguably the most popular type available. They are great for home use, and they also work for commercial buildings like hotels and shopping malls as an accessibility advantage.

Inclined Platform Lift: Inclined platform lifts help you to move along staircases. They allow you to easily climb up and down a stairwell without having to leave your mobility device. Some of these lifts also come with fold-out seats, so you might not even have to rely so much on your wheelchair itself

Exterior Wheelchair Lift: If you’re outdoors and would need to overcome a height barrier to get into your home, then an exterior wheelchair lift is what you need. These lifts allow you to easily access a deck, porch, driveway, or some other external part of your home. Some of these lifts can even help raise you into your car and are used on public buses! 

Safety Features

The next step will be for you to consider the lift’s available safety features. Some of these features are built-in, while others can be added on request.

Generally, some of the common safety features you want to have in your lift will include safety arms, fold-up ramps, and gates. Some lifts could also come with locks that prevent you from opening the gates until the lift has stopped.

Load Capacity 

You want to select a lift option that offers optimal load capacity as well. This way, you’re sure that the lift will be able to carry you up and down the distance without breaking a sweat. 

Typical wheelchair platform lifts can carry up to 220 kg in weight. However, some top-of-the-line models tend to carry even more than that easily.  

Platform Length & Distance Traveled

Most wheelchair lifts are designed to follow specific codes and standards that allow them to accommodate mobility devices of all sizes. However, when choosing a lift, you want to ensure that the platform has enough length to accommodate your mobility equipment and move it from one level to another. 

Just as well, you will need to consider the distance needed for the lift to travel too. If your stairwell or porch is longer, then you may need a lift with more strength. 

Budget

As with every household modification you will make, cost matters when choosing a wheelchair platform lift. 

Generally, the prices of wheelchair platform lifts tend to vary. The final price quote will vary based on factors like distance covered, the type of lift, customisation, additional safety features, and more. And in some cases, you might also have to pay a separate charge for installation. You can learn more about the average wheelchair platform lift prices in Australia with Lifts For Homes.

We recommend that you get a price quote from your manufacturer or installer, so you know how much you’re expected to pay before proceeding.