When an elevator is installed into a property, the property may become convenient, become accessible and add value to the property. As much as you may be managing an apartment building, office complex or even a home, the knowledge of how to undertake the process of elevator installation should help you avoid surprises, manage the costs involved as well as have a smooth project up until end. I am going to outline my experience working with skyrise which is a reputable elevator brand in this guide and walk you through the main steps in simple English.

Why the Elevator?

Before plunging into the tech-wise analysis, it would be good to be aware of the purpose of having an elevator at all. An elevator:

• Makes it more accessible to people with disabilities, children, and seniors.
• Increases rentability and value of a property.
• Makes it easier to move heavy objects such as furniture and supplies around.
• Puts your building in a positive position to take the ageing needs of populations.

My parents had a two-story house when they had problems with stairs, after which I understood that the installation of elevators would allow them to remain comfortable and autonomous. Personal motive is what leads most of the owners to consider this upgrade.

Site Assessments and Preliminary Planning

Concerted site assessment is the initial process of any construction of the lift. I employed a structural engineer to take ceiling measurements, depth of pits to be constructed and wall thickness. All these measurements will indicate the location of the shaft. The optimum location of a shaft is often a low-traffic corner or an existing stairwell in most of the projects.

I also enquired at this point the quote interest plus an estimated cost (as gauged by skyrise online cost estimator) which gave me a realistic estimation of my budget. To have a ballpark figure of their estimations on a typical four-story building was very close to the estimates in my area of local contractors, so it made my planning more accurate.

Choosing the Right Elevator Type

Elevators come in three main types:

1. Hydraulic Elevators – Use a piston and cylinder. They need a deep pit but no overhead machinery room. Ideal for low-rise buildings with space underground.
2. Traction Elevators – Use ropes, counterweights, and a motor in a machine room above the shaft. They are energy-efficient and smooth, but require overhead clearance.
3. Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators – Compress machinery into the shaft itself. No separate machine room is needed, saving space both above and below.

Because my ceiling height was limited and I wanted minimal structural changes, the MRL option from skyrise seemed perfect. It fit into a compact shaft and avoided lengthy machine-room construction.

Designing and Securing Permits

As the type of elevators was predetermined, we proceeded to the stage of detailed design. The skyrise staff offered CAD drawings of the shaft sizes, the pit depths, door openings in every level and of the position of the control cabinet. These drawings were used as the core of our building permit.

Our plans were delivered to the local building department and structural calculations as well as equipment specifications were provided. The process of getting approvals on permits lasted approximately four weeks. Communication with skyrise staff which had experience with previous projects helped to determine that the submission was complete enough in terms of meeting all code requirements: fire safety, emergency egress etc.

The way to build the shaft and the pit

After obtaining permits, construction of shafts by contractors started. Among the key tasks, it is necessary to note the following ones:

• The process of demolishing existing walls or stair parts to form the opening.
• Constructing concrete thickened walls of the new shaft
• Digging and waterproofing of the pit at the bottom most level.

This construction takes less than six weeks to be completed by our builders. Given that the elevator rails and guides have to be absolutely accurate, accurate measurements were essential. I surveyed the site on a weekly basis to ensure that the measurements on paper were the same as what was on site.

Installation of equipment and electrical installation

By the time the shaft and pit were ready to go, the skyrise had delivered the elevator set up: guide rails, car frame, counterweight and cab panels. Laser levels were used by technicians to fix the rails in the shaft. Subsequent were the car frame and counterweight assembly and the hoist cables or hydraulic lines depending on the model.

The electrical department put in place special circuits and control rooms, lights, air conditioning and safety apparatus. The backup battery system and emergency alarm system were also linked together to avoid accidents in case of power supplies being interrupted.

The installation and wiring process took us a period of three weeks and we were finally ready to run tests.

Test, Inspection and Certification

Safety testing is essential The process involved

1. No-load tests to ensure smooth movement and operation of doors.
2. Perform the Load tests using weighted sandbags to ensure the lifting capacity and the brake performance.

Training and Handover

With certification in hand, we scheduled a training session. Technicians from skyrise walked our building staff through:

• Basic operations and ride procedures.
• Emergency stop and evacuation protocols.
• Routine cleaning and hazard inspections.
• How to request service and maintenance.

They left behind a detailed operation manual and a maintenance checklist to ensure smooth long-term performance.

Ongoing Maintenance

An elevator is like any other mechanical system—it needs regular care. Our maintenance plan includes:

• Monthly visual inspections for wear, debris, and leaks.
• Quarterly checks of lubrication, door mechanisms, and safety edges.
• Annual full safety tests, including brake performance and emergency systems.

skyrise offers flexible service agreements that include 24-hour repair response and genuine parts, making upkeep worry-free.

Final Thoughts

Elevator installation may seem daunting, but with the right partners, it becomes manageable and rewarding. Here’s the path we followed:

1. Assess space and budget.
2. Choose elevator type (hydraulic, traction, or MRL).
3. Design and secure permits with detailed drawings.
4. Build the shaft and pit precisely.
5. Install equipment and wiring accurately.
6. Perform rigorous testing and pass inspection.
7. Train staff and hand over operation manuals.
8. Maintain regularly to ensure safety and reliability.

For my family’s home and our small office building, elevator installation has renewed independence, increased property value, and simplified everyday life. Working with skyrise made the process smoother, from accurate cost estimates to timely support. If you’re considering an elevator upgrade, start planning early, involve experienced professionals, and commit to proper maintenance. Your future self—and everyone who uses the elevator—will thank you.