Should You Install Your Automotive Lift Yourself or Hire a Pro?

January 9, 2023 (updated January 9, 2023)

Congratulations on your decision to purchase an automotive lift! It’s a valuable addition to any garage, offering immense utility for auto repairs.

Now that you’ve made the purchase, you might be contemplating whether to undertake the installation yourself. While it’s not a solo endeavor and requires assistance to maneuver the Car Lift Repair Near Me lift into place, installing it without professional help is feasible, albeit not without its challenges and risks.

DIY Installation:

With the right tools and assistance, a capable DIYer can tackle the Car Lift Repair Near Me installation. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential dangers involved, considering that the lift will bear the weight of a vehicle. Ensure you have adequate tools, equipment, and support before embarking on the installation process.

Pros:

– Cost Savings: Avoiding professional installation fees can save you a significant amount of money.

– Flexibility: You can choose when to perform the installation without being bound by technicians’ availability.

– Personal Satisfaction: Completing the installation yourself can be fulfilling, boosting confidence and providing a sense of accomplishment.

Cons:

– Concrete Reinforcement: You may need to reinforce the garage floor beneath the lift posts and consider ceiling clearance and accessibility.

– Tool Expenses: Acquiring or renting specialized tools can add to the overall cost.

– Risk of Damage: Improper installation can damage the lift or void its warranty, posing a risk to your vehicle.

– Safety Concerns: Working with heavy objects increases the risk of injury, especially if the lift is not installed correctly.

– Potential Delays: Unforeseen issues may prolong the installation process beyond your initial estimates.

Professional Installation:

While DIY installation is an option, there are compelling reasons to entrust the task to experienced Car Lift Repair Near Me professionals.

Pros:

– Expertise: Professional installers possess extensive experience and knowledge, minimizing the likelihood of errors and complications.

– Learning Opportunity: Observing professionals at work can provide valuable insights into lift maintenance and operation.

– Warranty Assurance: Professionals ensure proper installation and testing, preserving any applicable warranties.

– Peace of Mind: With professionals handling the installation, you can be confident in the quality and timeliness of the work.

Whether to install your Car Lift Repair Near Me automotive lift yourself or hire professionals depends on factors such as your expertise, resources, and risk tolerance. While DIY offers cost savings and personal satisfaction, professional installation provides expertise and peace of mind. Choose the approach that aligns best with your needs and capabilities.

Location Assessment

Before commencing the installation of your car lift, it’s imperative to conduct a thorough site evaluation. Consider the following:

Lift Placement: Utilize architectural plans if available, ensuring alignment with layout dimensions and floor plan prerequisites to confirm sufficient space availability. Additionally, ensure access to a 220v, 30amp, single-phase, grounded electrical source. Ample space should be accessible for safe lift operation without any constraints.

Overhead Clearance: The designated area for the lift should be devoid of any overhead impediments such as heaters, structural supports, electrical lines, doors, or lighting fixtures.

Floor Condition: Perform a visual inspection of the installation site to identify any cracks or defects in the concrete flooring.

Floor Criteria

A level surface is recommended to facilitate proper Car Lift Repair Near Me installation and even lifting. Minor variations in floor slopes can be rectified through appropriate shimming techniques. In cases where the floor’s slope is in question, consider conducting a site survey or contemplate pouring a new, level concrete slab.

Newly poured concrete must undergo adequate curing for a minimum of 30 days.

Concrete Specifications

All models MUST be mounted on 3,000 PSI reinforced concrete exclusively. Additional concrete requirements will vary based on the lift’s capacity.

For lifts ranging from 8,500 lbs to 10,000 lbs: Minimum Thickness of 4 inches.

For lifts ranging from 11,000 lbs to 15,000 lbs: Minimum Thickness of 6 inches.

Strict adherence to concrete specifications is crucial. Failure to comply could result in auto lift malfunction, potentially leading to personal injury or fatalities. Detailed floor and concrete specifications are provided in the manual accompanying our automobile lifts. Adhering to these specifications is vital for ensuring a safe and successful installation.

What prompts your interest in acquiring a car lift?

The primary inquiry revolves around understanding the underlying motivation behind acquiring the Car Lift Repair Near Me lift. Are you seeking additional storage space to accommodate another vehicle in your garage? Alternatively, is the intention to facilitate easier vehicle maintenance? Perhaps it’s a combination of both factors. Depending on your specific needs, the choice of lift type varies. For storage purposes, either a single post or four-post lift is suitable. If the aim is to work on vehicles without storage considerations, a two-post lift is preferable. For those desiring both storage and workspace functionality, a four-post lift with additional features for enhanced ease of maintenance may be ideal.

Can your garage accommodate a car lift?

Many individuals seeking a lift for their home garage primarily intend to utilize it for storage, typically opting for a single post or Car Lift Repair Near Me four-post lift. Maximizing garage space by fitting in an additional vehicle is a common desire. However, the feasibility of installation is often constrained by ceiling height. A general guideline involves measuring the combined height of the stacked vehicles and adding ten inches to accommodate the lifting mechanism and secure locking positions. Additionally, consider potential obstacles such as garage door openers or ceiling lights that may necessitate relocation. Four-post lifts typically pose fewer height-related challenges due to their modest post heights. However, ensure the lift’s length and width are compatible with your garage layout and other vehicles.

For those considering a two-post lift to streamline vehicle maintenance, ceiling height measurement is crucial due to the lift posts’ taller stature. Depending on the specific model, the connecting bracket may run across the top of the posts or along the floor. This factor influences ceiling clearance requirements. With the bracket positioned overhead, caution is warranted to avoid collisions when raising the vehicle (though some lifts may feature safety mechanisms).