Moving a lift from one bay to another — or from one building to another — is more than disconnecting it and picking it up. A lift that was professionally installed, leveled to millimeter precision, anchored to tested concrete, and calibrated for your specific floor conditions does not simply transfer those qualities to a new location. The new spot has different concrete, different floor conditions, different electrical, and different spatial constraints. A relocated lift needs a full reinstallation, not just a reassembly.
At Auto Lift Services, we relocate lifts for Iowa shops that are expanding, reconfiguring, or moving to new buildings. We also relocate lifts that shops buy used from other locations. The process is a complete removal, transport, and reinstallation — with a full inspection built into the project.
When Shops Relocate Lifts
Bay reconfiguration. A shop adds a new service — alignment, tire work, heavy-duty — and needs to rearrange equipment to fit the workflow. The existing lifts are fine; they just need to be in different bays.
Building expansion or renovation. The shop is adding square footage, moving walls, or reconfiguring the floor plan. Lifts need to come out, construction happens, and lifts go back in — potentially in different positions.
Moving to a new building. The shop is relocating entirely. The lifts are in good condition and worth moving rather than buying new. This is the most complex relocation because the new building’s floor conditions, electrical capacity, and bay dimensions may differ significantly.
Buying a used lift. A shop purchases a lift from another location. The lift needs to be removed from the seller’s site, transported, and installed at the buyer’s site. This is functionally identical to a relocation, with the added variable that the buyer may never have seen the lift in operation.
The Relocation Process
Pre-Move Assessment
Before any wrench turns, we assess both locations. At the current site, we document the lift’s condition, configuration, and any issues that should be addressed during the move. At the new site, we verify:
Concrete quality. The slab at the new location must be tested for thickness and compressive strength. Just because one shop had adequate concrete does not mean the next one does. Iowa has shops in buildings spanning from the 1940s to last year — concrete quality varies enormously.
Bay dimensions. The new bay must accommodate the lift’s footprint, plus required clearances for arm swing, door opening, and vehicle access. A lift that fits perfectly in a 14-foot bay does not fit in a 12-foot bay, no matter how hard you try.
Electrical capacity. The new location needs the correct voltage and amperage circuit. If the previous location had 208V and the new one has 230V, the power unit wiring may need adjustment.
Ceiling height. This matters for 2-post lifts with overhead beams and for any lift where the vehicle’s height at full extension approaches the ceiling.
Removal
The lift is removed from the current location following our standard removal procedures: lock-out, fluid drain, de-tension cables, disassemble components, extract anchors, and clean the slab.
Transport
Lift components are loaded for transport with proper protection. Hydraulic cylinders get capped to prevent contamination. Chrome cylinder rods get wrapped to prevent scratching — a scratched rod will cut through new seals within weeks. Columns and runways are secured to prevent shifting during transport. Smaller components (hardware, fittings, arm pads) are bagged and labeled.
For cross-town moves, a flatbed truck handles most lifts. For longer distances, enclosed transport protects components from weather and road debris.
Inspection During the Move
This is the critical step that separates a professional relocation from a simple move. While the lift is disassembled and every component is accessible, we perform a thorough inspection:
Hydraulic cylinders. With the cylinders off the lift, we can inspect the rod surface for scoring and check for seal weepage that is not visible during normal operation. This is the ideal time to rebuild cylinders if the seals are aging — replacing seals while the cylinder is already off the lift costs a fraction of what it costs to do it as a separate service call later.
Cables and chains. Full-length inspection for broken strands, kinks, corrosion, and stretch. If cables are marginal, this is the time to replace them — before the lift goes back together.
Lock mechanisms. Teeth condition, spring tension, release mechanism function. Worn locks get repaired or replaced during the move.
Arm pads and adapters. Worn pads are cheap to replace and this is the easiest time to do it.
Hydraulic hoses. Hoses that are aging or show signs of deterioration should be replaced during relocation. New hoses are cheap insurance against a hydraulic failure six months after the move.
Power unit. Pump condition, motor condition, reservoir cleanliness. The power unit gets a full service while it is on the bench.
Reinstallation
The lift is installed at the new location following the same procedures as a new installation: layout, client approval on positioning, anchoring to torque spec, leveling (with transit for scissors and 4-post lifts), hydraulic connection, electrical hookup, and full-cycle testing. Three complete raise-lower-lock cycles minimum before sign-off.
The reinstalled lift gets new inspection stickers and full documentation of the relocation, inspection findings, and any components replaced during the move.
Recertification After Relocation
A relocated lift must be re-inspected and recertified. The previous inspection sticker is void — it certified the lift in its previous installation, not in its new one. The new installation gets a full inspection that certifies the lift as installed in its current location with its current anchor points, leveling, and hydraulic connections.
Cost Considerations
Lift relocation typically costs less than buying new equipment — but not always dramatically less. The removal, transport, inspection, and reinstallation labor adds up, especially if the inspection reveals components that need replacement. As a rough guideline, relocation costs run 30-60% of new equipment cost. If a lift is old enough that it will need major work during the inspection anyway, buying new and having it installed once may be more cost-effective.
We give honest assessments. If a lift is not worth relocating — because of age, condition, or the cost of addressing what the inspection finds — we will tell you before you spend the money to move it.
Lift Relocation Across Iowa
Auto Lift Services handles lift relocations across Iowa — within a shop, across town, or between cities. We manage the complete project: removal, transport, inspection, and reinstallation at the new site.
Call us at 800-674-9302 or email info@autoliftserv.com to discuss your relocation project, get a site assessment at the new location, or get a quote that accounts for the full scope of work.
Our Clients Include: