At Lift Services, we offer professional lift refurbishment services designed to restore, improve, and enhance the performance, safety, and appearance of existing lifts.
Refurbishment offers a cost-effective alternative to full replacement, allowing you to upgrade components, comply with the latest safety regulations, and improve the user experience while retaining much of the original lift structure.
Our team will assess your lift and design a refurbishment plan tailored to your building, budget, and operational needs.
Request a complimentary lift refurbishment consultation from our team of expert technicians today.
What Is Lift Refurbishment?
Lift refurbishment involves replacing or upgrading key mechanical, electrical, and aesthetic components of a lift to extend its service life and enhance its functionality. This may include installing a new control system, modernising the cabin interior, upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, and replacing worn drive systems.
The process is tailored to the condition and age of the lift, with the aim of delivering improved reliability and compliance without unnecessary structural works.
When Should You Consider Lift Refurbishment?
You should consider refurbishment if your lift is more than 15 years old, suffers from frequent breakdowns, has outdated controls, or no longer meets modern safety standards.
Difficulty sourcing replacement parts, declining ride quality, and rising maintenance costs are also strong indicators.
Refurbishment is particularly beneficial when the lift structure itself is still sound, but the components need upgrading to improve performance and reduce long-term running costs.
What Does Lift Refurbishment Include?
Refurbishment can involve a combination of mechanical upgrades, electrical improvements, and cosmetic enhancements. This may include replacing the lift controller with a modern microprocessor-based system, upgrading the traction machine or hydraulic pump, installing new door operators, and fitting energy-efficient LED lighting.
Aesthetic updates can involve new wall panels, flooring, and control buttons to enhance passenger comfort and improve the overall appearance.
Safety enhancements, such as overspeed governors and updated communication systems, are also commonly included.
What Are The Benefits Of Lift Refurbishment?
The benefits of lift refurbishment include improved reliability, compliance, and user experience, while keeping costs lower than those of full replacement.
Improved safety through updated compliance with current regulations
Lower running costs with energy-efficient systems and reduced maintenance
Enhanced appearance for improved passenger satisfaction
Extended lifespan of the existing lift structure
Fewer breakdowns and smoother operation from upgraded components
Better value compared to full replacement
How Much Does Lift Refurbishment Cost?
The cost of lift refurbishment is from £8,000 to £50,000 or more.
Minor refurbishments, focusing on control upgrades and interior finishes, may cost between £8,000 and £15,000.
Full modernisations, including mechanical replacements, safety upgrades, and cabin refits, can range from £20,000 to £50,000 or more.
Costs vary depending on the size, type, and age of the lift, as well as the scope of work.
We provide detailed quotations following a thorough site survey, ensuring the refurbishment plan meets both your needs and your budget.
How Long Does Lift Refurbishment Take?
Project duration depends on the level of work involved.
Cosmetic-only upgrades can be completed in a matter of days, while more extensive refurbishments involving major component replacement may take between three and six weeks.
We work to minimise disruption, often scheduling noisy or disruptive work outside peak hours.
Is Refurbishment Better Than Replacement?
In many cases, refurbishment offers a better balance of cost, downtime, and sustainability compared to full replacement.
It allows you to retain the existing shaft and structure, avoiding major building works while still delivering significant performance and safety improvements.
However, if the lift structure itself is damaged or beyond repair, full replacement may be more appropriate.
How Is Refurbishment Different From Modernisation?
Refurbishment focuses on cosmetic and user-facing upgrades, while modernisation targets mechanical and electrical systems to improve safety, performance, and compliance.
Refurbishment involves updating the interior finishes, lighting, control panels, and flooring to improve the look and feel of the lift.
It does not usually involve changes to the drive system, controller, or safety gear.
Modernisation, by contrast, involves replacing or upgrading critical components, such as the motor, control system, door operators, and braking mechanisms, to bring the lift up to current UK standards, including BS EN 81, LOLER 1998, and PUWER 1998.
In many cases, both approaches are combined, refurbishing the lift interior while modernising key systems, to extend service life, improve reliability, and enhance passenger experience.
Will The Lift Be Out Of Service During Refurbishment?
The lift will be out of service during refurbishment to ensure safety and allow unobstructed access for engineers.
Most refurbishment work, such as replacing panels, lighting, flooring, and control units, requires access to the lift car and landing areas, making it unsafe for users during the process.
The downtime is usually minimal, from 1 to 5 days, depending on the extent of the refurbishment and whether custom materials are involved.
At Lift Services, we can schedule work during off-peak hours, weekends, or school holidays to minimise disruption and maintain building accessibility.
Will Refurbished Lifts Meet Current Safety Standards?
All refurbished lifts are upgraded to meet the latest LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations), PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), and BS EN 81 standards.
We conduct thorough safety testing and provide full certification upon completion of the work, ensuring legal compliance and passenger safety.
Do You Offer A Warranty On Refurbishment Work?
We offer a warranty on all lift refurbishment work, covering both parts and labour.
Most refurbished components, such as car panels, flooring, lighting, and control interfaces, come with a manufacturer’s warranty, lasting 12 to 24 months, depending on the product specification.
Lift Services offers a workmanship warranty to ensure that all installations meet industry standards and are completed to the highest quality. This warranty gives you assurance that your investment is protected and that any issues related to the refurbishment will be addressed promptly and professionally.
Does Refurbishment Improve Safety Or Just Appearance?
Refurbishment improves both appearance and safety, particularly when it includes upgrades to lighting, controls, and accessibility features.
While the primary goal of refurbishment is often to enhance the appearance and user experience of the lift, it can also address safety-related elements, such as improved cabin lighting, non-slip flooring, and replacement of worn control buttons or indicators.
Refurbishment may also include the addition of Braille and tactile markings, visual floor indicators, and audible alerts, helping the lift meet current accessibility and safety standards under BS EN 81-70 and BS 8300-2:2018.
As part of our process, Lift Services ensures that any refurbished lift maintains compliance with LOLER 1998, PUWER 1998, and other applicable UK regulations.
Request a Free Lift Refurbishment Quote Today
A lift refurbishment is an efficient and cost-effective way to enhance the performance, safety, and appearance of your lift without the expense of full replacement.
We deliver tailored refurbishment packages that combine technical expertise, compliance, and high-quality workmanship to keep your lift running reliably for years to come.
Contact Lift Services today for a free consultation and a no-obligation quotation.