Half of all lifts in the UK have been running for over 20 years. In lift terms, that’s the equivalent of a car with 200,000 miles on the clock. Ageing lifts are slower, less reliable, and increasingly expensive to maintain. Every day you delay upgrading, you’re accepting higher costs, safety risks, and potential downtime.
For property managers, facilities professionals, and building owners, lift performance isn’t just a matter of convenience. It’s a matter of safety, compliance, and reputation. Whether you manage a high-traffic commercial site, a public sector building, or a residential development, your lift needs to work every time, without fail.
At Alliance Platform Lifts, we’ve transformed outdated, underperforming lifts into modern, efficient, and fully compliant systems for buildings across the UK. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to act, the answer is simple: if you’re asking the question, you’re already close to needing an upgrade. Here’s exactly what to look for, what you’ll gain, and how to do it right.
Signs Your Lift Needs an Upgrade – Now
The worst time to plan an upgrade is after a major failure. You lose operational continuity, risk tenant complaints, and potentially face costly emergency repairs. The smartest operators act before that happens. Watch for these red flags:
- Age – Most lifts have a working life of 15–25 years. If yours is past 15 years, performance will inevitably start to decline.
- Frequent Breakdowns – If you’re calling out engineers more often than you’d like to admit, you’re wasting budget on repeat fixes rather than long-term solutions.
- Sluggish Performance – Jerky starts, slow door operations, and extended travel times signal mechanical wear and outdated control systems.
- Outdated Safety Features – No modern sensors, no auto-rescue, no compliant emergency communication? You’re behind current UK safety standards.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance – BS EN 81-80 and accessibility requirements evolve. If your lift hasn’t been updated, it may now be a compliance liability.
- Increased Traffic Demand – If your building’s usage has grown, your current system might be struggling to cope with the extra load.
These signs aren’t just inconveniences. Ignore them and you’ll pay more in the long run.
Why Lift Upgrading is a Strategic Advantage
Upgrading isn’t about simply making things look nice. It’s about ensuring your building stays competitive, safe, and cost-efficient for years to come.
A well-planned upgrade delivers:
- Regulatory Compliance – Protecting you from penalties and ensuring accessibility for all users.
- Lower Operational Costs – Modern components are more energy-efficient and less prone to failure, cutting both your utility bills and maintenance spend.
- User Satisfaction – Happy tenants and visitors are more likely to stay, return, and recommend.
- Extended Asset Life – Postponing a full replacement by 10+ years saves substantial capital.
It’s not just maintenance. It’s future-proofing.
The Hard Benefits of a Lift Upgrade
1. Safety That Meets Today’s Standards
Your lift carries lives, not just loads. Upgraded systems integrate advanced braking, precise floor levelling, intelligent sensors, and instant emergency communication devices. These eliminate outdated hazards and meet or exceed current UK regulations.
2. Zero-Tolerance for Downtime
Older lifts are inherently less reliable. A modernised lift uses robust, proven components, drastically reducing unplanned outages. This keeps traffic flowing in commercial spaces, prevents tenant frustration, and maintains productivity.
3. Immediate Energy Savings
With regenerative drives and low-energy LED lighting, your lift consumes less power from day one. That’s lower utility costs, reduced carbon footprint, and improved ESG reporting.
4. Premium Passenger Experience
Smoother starts, whisper-quiet operation, consistent floor levelling, and intuitive controls. Users notice the difference, and in high-end properties that difference adds value.
5. A Unified, Modern Look
An upgrade can align your lift’s appearance with your building’s brand. From opulent finishes in luxury apartments to sleek stainless steel in corporate towers, we design lifts that enhance your property’s aesthetic appeal.
What to Consider Before a Lift Upgrade
A lift upgrade is an investment, and like any investment, it needs a clear plan. Before committing, assess:
Current Condition & Age
If your lift is 15–20 years old, modernisation can extend its life by a decade or more. Beyond 20 years, replacement may be more cost-effective.
Safety & Compliance
Conduct a full compliance audit. Look for gaps in emergency communications, fire resistance, and accessibility features. Closing these gaps during an upgrade avoids liability.
Maintenance Costs & Parts Availability
If replacement parts are difficult or costly to source, that’s a clear sign modernisation is overdue.
Performance Goals
Decide what matters most: speed, capacity, aesthetics, or energy efficiency. These priorities will shape the scope of the upgrade.
Budget & Phasing
Full modernisation delivers maximum benefit, but partial upgrades (such as replacing the control system first) can spread the cost over time.
Impact on Building Users
Minimise disruption by scheduling work during low-traffic periods and maintaining clear communication with tenants.
Our Approach at Alliance Platform Lifts
At Alliance Platform Lifts, we don’t just replace parts. We engineer complete solutions that integrate seamlessly with your building and your operational needs.
Here’s how we work:
- Comprehensive Condition Surveys – We assess every component to identify exactly what needs replacing or retrofitting.
- Bespoke Design – Our solutions are tailored to your building’s architecture, traffic patterns, and aesthetic.
- Precision Installation – Our engineers work to strict timelines, minimising downtime and disruption.
- Aftercare That Works – Through our service and upgrade packages, we keep your lift in peak condition, with nationwide 24/7 support.
We combine technical precision with collaboration, working alongside architects, developers, and facilities managers to deliver the best configuration of space and a system that performs flawlessly.
Why Acting Now Pays Off
Delaying a lift upgrade might feel like you’re saving money, but you’re not. You’re simply deferring cost while increasing risk. Here’s what inaction costs you:
- Higher maintenance spend as parts fail more frequently.
- Lost productivity when lifts are out of service.
- Damage to your reputation with tenants, clients, or the public.
- Potential fines or legal exposure for non-compliance.
An upgrade flips those costs into gains – reduced spend, improved service, and stronger compliance.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for Failure
Every day with an outdated lift is a day you’re accepting unnecessary risk, higher operating costs, and dissatisfied users. A lift upgrade delivers measurable gains in safety, performance, and building value.
The best time to modernise is before problems force your hand. The right partner for the job is Alliance Platform Lifts.
FAQs
How do I know when it’s time to upgrade my lift?
If it’s over 15 years old, breaking down more often, or failing to meet current safety regulations, it’s time to plan an upgrade. A professional condition survey will confirm your next steps.
What are the benefits of upgrading instead of replacing?
Upgrading retains your existing structure, is less disruptive, and often costs significantly less than a full replacement, while still delivering modern performance.
How long does a typical lift upgrade take?
Minor upgrades can be completed in days; full modernisations may take several weeks. We work around your operational needs to minimise downtime.
