Planning on installing a car lift in your repair shop or garage? Here’s everything you need to consider, from cost to safety regulations!
Why car lifts matter
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Running an auto repair business means dealing with multiple services on a large number of vehicles. Having a garage that’s equipped to handle traffic means more revenue for your auto repair shop. That’s where car lifts come in! This incredible invention has revolutionized the way auto repair teams perform vehicle maintenance and repair.Â
However, whether you’re installing one for the first time or a returning buyer, selecting the right auto lift can prove challenging. This is especially true when you consider the different configurations and available pricing. Â
Let’s explore the different kinds of car lifts available in the market, their advantages, costs and what features to look out for before you make your purchase.Â
Before we move on to the obvious advantages of adding car lifts to your auto shop, let’s address one of the bigger questions.
How much are car lifts? Let’s discuss the costs.Â
Types of car lifts and their costs
The cost of car lifts can range between $1500 and $10,000. Some might even go beyond the $10,000 mark to about $15,000. It all depends on factors such as the lift type, brand, weight capacity, features, and installation requirements.Â
Generally, several types of car lifts are commonly used in auto repair shops and garages, each with its own price range. Let’s explore each of these.Â
1. Scissor car lifts
The most standard car lift type is the scissor car lift. Because they lie flat when not in use, scissor car lifts are a huge space saver. The drawback is that while they allow brake work and some under-engine jobs, they don’t allow you to work underneath a vehicle freely.Â
They are mostly for aerial work. It is designed to lift in a vertical direction. It also comes with multiple height adjustments. These are best for smaller cars, sedans, and vehicles with limited clearanceÂ
Their cost varies with the height. A scissor lift with a 19-foot lifting height will range between $8,000 to $12,000. But the one with a 26-foot lifting height can cost you up to $15,000. As you increase the height, the car lift pricing will also go up. It can go as high as $45,000 in some cases. Â
2. Two post car lifts
Most popular in auto repair shops, two post car lifts are becoming increasingly popular among DIYers as well. With two posts featuring a connecting brace for the vehicle, this car lift allows you complete access to repairs needed in the undercarriage. Â
Although they are also great in terms of taking up less space so you have open access to your garage or auto repair shop, two-post lifts are a permanent option. The posts need to be bolted down and require periodic maintenance and care. Â
These are ideal for cars, light duty trucks, SUVs, and vans. These can also be used for most sports cars.Â
For a two post car lift with a capacity of 10,000 pounds, the cost can range from around $5,500 to $6,500. A 12,000 pound capacity lift can cost upwards of $10,000. These are also available with a lifting capacity of 7,000 pounds. These cost around $5,000. Â
3. Four post car lift
Four post lifts are exactly as they sound. Four solid posts allow you to drive a vehicle over a set of tracks to be lifted and worked on. Â
These are perfect for raising heavy-duty powerhouses and larger vehicles and trucks. They create more space and are easy to use, so four post lifts are becoming the go-to choice for home garages. The only drawback is the inability to do brake or tire work, as the vehicle sits on the tracks.Â
A four-post car lift with a 7,000-pound lifting capacity starts from around $7,000. And the ones with 9,000 pound capacity start around the $8,000 mark.Â
4. In-ground car lift
For heavier vehicles like trucks and SUVs, heavy-duty lifts such as in-ground lifts are needed. In-ground car lifts fold completely into the ground and are by far the biggest space savers. But with great technology comes a great cost. According to their lifting capacity, these car lifts can cost up to $10,000.Â
Apart from the ones above, there are other car lifts as well. A parking lift is one where you can stack your vehicles. This helps when you have limited parking spaces. A tri-level parking lift will cost cost over $20,000. This allows you to park three vehicles at once.Â
Another is portable lifts. If your auto shop needs mobility and flexibility, this will be the ideal one for you. These are relatively cheaper compared to the others above. A 5000-pound capacity lift starts from around $1,700. The most expensive one is the Max Jax Portable car lift, which costs a little over $4,000. Â
Installation costs
After buying the car lift, what will you do? Install it, of course! That means you also have to account for the installation cost. Installation costs can vary depending on the lift type. Any additional requirements such as electrical work or floor reinforcement can also add up.Â
Here is an estimate of standard installation costs for the following car lifts.Â
- Two-Post Lifts: $300 to $500
- Four-Post Lifts: $700 to $1,000
- Scissor Lifts: $1,000 to $1,500Â
Two-post lifts are relatively cheaper to install, whereas scissor lifts are more expensive. In-ground lifts due to their excavation requirements have the highest installation cost. Â
And then after installation comes maintenance and inspection costs. You also have to consider those before adding a car lift to your auto shop. All the details discussed above should be factored in to ensure the automotive lift remains safe and operational over time.
Advantages of installing a car lift
There’s no two ways about it: car lifts make your life easier at the auto repair shop. Here’s how:Â
1. Easy car care
With the kind of extensive work often needed on vehicles, from engine to brake work, having access to the entire body of the car is crucial. Car lifts help auto repair shop workers conveniently perform vehicle repairs and maintenance. Â
2. Space saving
Vehicle lifts allow you to not only work on vehicles but also help you save space! When it comes to your auto repair garage, being able to accommodate more vehicles is a game changer!Â
What to look out for
As is true with any big purchase, research goes a long way. But with the amount of information out there, we decided to make it easy for you!Â
Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a car lift for your auto repair shop:
1) Is your garage up to par?
First things first, whether you’re planning on purchasing a two-post or four-post car lift, you need to first see if your garage can accommodate the automotive lift. A two-post car lift tends to be about nine feet in height. If your garage ceiling is high enough, you’re in the clear! You will also need to make sure the voltage required by the car lift to run is easily accessible.Â
2) Is the manufacturing company reliable?
Without knowing if you can count on the brand you’re planning to purchase from, you can face hurdles in the future. You need to first ask yourself how reliable the manufacturing company is and if the products are of the highest quality. The highest benchmark for international quality is an ISO9001 certified product. Look for that designation in your car lift research. Â
3) Is it safe to install?
Before you install any vehicle lift you buy, you first need to ensure all safety measures are adhered to. For auto repair shop owners, this will save you from putting your customers or employees in danger, which could lead to a lawsuit. Before purchasing your car lift, make sure you look out for:Â Â
- Safety enhancement features
- Proper training and installation
- ETL/ALI certification
- Safety testing from manufacturerÂ
4) Is there easy access to technical support?
If you’re running a business, you know time is money! If you’re left waiting on technical support to help you with a broken/malfunctioning car lift, you’re losing customers. This is why it’s extremely important to have access to the manufacturer’s tech support team for speedy repairs. Â
5) Are parts readily available?
This is another important thing to consider before purchasing your car lift. You don’t want to endlessly wait for parts to repair your car lift. Using generic parts isn’t the solution, as it can only add to the problem. Look for details on the parts replacements process for any car lift before you make a purchase. Â
6) Do they offer a warranty?
A good warranty should cover you for about three years. This coverage is important, as some sub-par products can show their true colors in a matter of months. Since repairs are covered in your warranty, make sure to read the fine print so you know what to expect. Car lift companies that are tried and tested include Dannmar, Bendpak, and Maxjax.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best car lift depends on your specific needs and budget, but reputable brands like Bendpak, Dannmar, and Maxjax are often recommended.
The price of a good car lift ranges from $1,500 to $15,000, depending on the type, brand, weight capacity, and features. It can even go higher, based on the specifications you require.Â
A single car lift can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000, with factors like lift type and specifications influencing the price range.
