How to Choose the Right Lift for Building Projects

Choosing the right lift is one of the most important decisions when you plan a building project. Whether it is a residential complex, a commercial office, or a mixed‑use structure, the lift you select affects safety, comfort, space efficiency, long-term maintenance, and overall value. A wrong choice can lead to wasted resources, higher running costs or retrofit complications.

With growing demand for elevators, especially in cities like Chennai, it’s essential to make an informed decision factoring building type, usage patterns, space constraints, and budget. As a trusted local manufacturer based in Chennai, Steven Elevators brings you expert guidance to help you pick a lift that truly fits your building’s needs.

Types of Lifts – What Fits Which Building

Different buildings have different requirements. Understanding available elevator types helps narrow down your choice:

Hydraulic Lifts: These use a piston-and-fluid system, ideal for low‑rise or mid‑rise buildings (up to 5–6 floors). They’re cost-effective, simpler in mechanics, and perfect for residential buildings, small offices, or low-rise commercial buildings.
Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators: A modern variant using traction technology without needing a separate machine room. Good for mid-rise residential or commercial buildings where space is limited.
Other Types (Pneumatic/Vacuum, Freight, Goods Lifts): For special requirements such as limited shaft space, goods handling, or low-capacity use. Not always ideal for mainstream residential or commercial projects.

Each type has strengths and ideal use cases. There’s no one-size-fits-all the choice depends on your project’s size, usage, and constraints.

Key Factors to Consider Before You Decide

When selecting the right lift for your building, consider these essential criteria:

Building Height & Number of Floors: For low-rise (2–5 floors), hydraulic lifts are often ideal; for mid- to high-rise, traction or MRL lifts offer better performance and efficiency.
Load Capacity & Passenger Traffic: Residential buildings with fewer residents may suffice with hydraulic lifts. For high footfall — like offices, malls, or taller apartments — traction or MRL lifts handle demand better.
Speed & Frequency of Use: Traction and MRL lifts deliver higher speed and smoother operation for frequent travel. Hydraulic lifts tend to be slower but acceptable for moderate traffic.
Space & Structural Constraints: Some lifts require machine rooms or shaft overhead (traction), while hydraulic lifts need pit space but no overhead — suitable for buildings with low headroom.
Budget & Long-Term Costs: Hydraulic lifts generally have lower upfront costs, simpler installation, and easier maintenance. Traction and MRL lifts may cost more initially but offer lower long‑term energy and operational costs in high usage scenarios.
Maintenance & Operating Costs: Consider energy consumption, maintenance frequency, and the availability of qualified technicians. Maintenance and safe operation are vital over the lifetime of the lift.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety Standards: Always ensure the chosen lift meets national and local safety codes. In India, lifts must comply with standards set by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — such as IS 14671 for hydraulic lifts — to guarantee safety and regulatory compliance.

What’s Changed in 2024–2025: Trends Influencing Lift Selection

Shift toward space‑efficient designs: Many modern residential and commercial buildings in India are moving toward compact architectures. This has increased demand for MRL elevators and compact lifts instead of bulky traditional systems.
Rising awareness of energy efficiency and sustainability: Traction and MRL lifts are gaining popularity because they consume less energy and have lower environmental impact compared to hydraulic systems, which use fluid pumps and may have higher maintenance.
Cost‑sensitive mid-rise developments: For low to mid-rise buildings (2–5 floors), hydraulic lifts remain popular due to lower installation and maintenance costs, and simpler requirements.
Greater emphasis on safety and compliance: With updated BIS norms and stricter regulation enforcement, builders now prioritize certified installation and compliance — making it more important to work with reputed lift manufacturers.

These evolving trends make it more important than ever to choose a lift that aligns with your building’s future use, energy goals, space constraints, and budget.

Why Choose Steven Elevators trusted Local Manufacturer

When it comes to selecting and installing the right lift, local expertise matters. Steven Elevators offers:

Deep understanding of Chennai’s structural norms and building regulations, ensuring smooth approvals and compliance.
Wide range of lift solutions — hydraulic, MRL, and traction lifts — enabling tailored recommendations based on your building’s type, size, and usage.
Transparent consultation: Site evaluation, shaft planning, capacity assessment, and clear cost estimates.
Quality & safety compliance: All lifts follow BIS standards and use quality components; focus on safety and long-term reliability.
After‑sales support & maintenance: AMC plans, quick service response, and maintenance support — important factors often overlooked by builders.

With local presence and expert insight, Steven Elevators ensures your lift choice and installation are efficient, safe, and future‑proof.

Installation, Maintenance & Long-Term Considerations

Installation Timeline: Hydraulic lifts typically have simpler installation and shorter lead time for low-rise buildings. MRL or traction systems may take longer due to shaft preparation, machine-room planning, or mechanical requirements.
Maintenance & Operating Cost: Hydraulic lifts have simpler mechanics and lower maintenance frequency, but higher energy consumption. Traction or MRL lifts offer better energy efficiency and long‑term savings in buildings with high usage.
Adaptability & Future Use: If you plan to increase usage (e.g. convert building to mixed use), choose a lift type that can handle increased load, traffic, and meets evolving safety standards.

Space Planning: Shaft, machine room, pit, and overhead clearance must be planned carefully, depending on lift type — avoid retrofit complications later.

Conclusion

Selecting the right lift for your building project is not just about picking a model — it’s a strategic decision that impacts safety, comfort, long-term cost, and property value. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best choice depends on your building’s size, expected traffic, space constraints, energy goals, and budget.

For projects in Chennai and surroundings, working with a local, experienced lift manufacturers in Chennai like Steven Elevators ensures you get expert advice, safe installations, regulatory compliance, and reliable after-sales support.