Frequently Asked Questions

General

Do you have a warranty?

Yes, our elevators come with a standard 2-year parts warranty that can be extended up to 7 years. Our stairlifts offer a standard 2-year warranty on parts with the major components having a lifetime warranty (providing the original owner is in possession of the lift). For porch lifts, you can expect a 2-year warranty for the parts.

Do you offer after-hours service?

Yes, give us a call after hours and we will answer the phone. Should you require an emergency repair, we will be there to help you.

Does the quoted product have an emergency battery and manual lowering?

Yes, all our elevators have manual lowering and battery backup. On some elevators, battery lowering is optional but it is highly recommended.

What happens if my elevator stops between floors?

Unlike “through the floor lifts” you will not be trapped as the landing doors can still be opened. There is an egress key to bypass the door interlock allowing access. Battery backup, manual lowering, a phone, and 24-hour service should also give you peace of mind.

Are they COR or SECOR certified for safety?

Yes – we take the safety of our clients and our employees very seriously.

Where are your products manufactured?

We purchase our elevators and vertical platform lifts directly from Garaventa Canada which is located in Vancouver British Columbia. Using a Western Canadian company allows us to have quick production lead times and the peace of mind to know we are dealing with a company that truly understands the needs of Western Canadians. There is no outsourcing of technical support and parts can often arrive the next day. With our unique weather and local code restrictions, it just makes sense to buy Canadian.

Does the manufacturer have the necessary experience?

Yes – Our manufacturers have stood the test of time. Garaventa has been in the industry for close to 50 years.

Are you locally owned and operated?

At Uppercut Elevators and Lifts, we are proud to be 100% locally owned and operated. Ownership is present every day, and is made available to address any issue or concern. We answer to clients, not shareholders.

Do you have the experience necessary?

We do! Many of our employees have more than 10 years of experience in the elevator and lift industry. Our owner started out doing repairs and installations over 26 years ago, and has worked in almost every position throughout the company. This ensures that each phase of your experience with Uppercut is treated with the respect you deserve. The service doesn’t stop after the contract is signed!

What is your primary focus?

We deal in residential elevators/lifts, and commercial accessibility lifts – that’s it. Experience tells us that companies that try to blanket the market can often fall short. We work within a network of home medical suppliers, and B44 elevator mechanics, and can redirect anything that is not our sole focus.

What can I expect for ongoing maintenance and repairs?

We believe in supporting products that are reliable and have stood the test of time. We are an independent dealer so have a choice of what products we represent. If you purchase a product from Uppercut Elevators and Lifts, the servicing component will be minimal once we turn the device over to you. Preventative maintenance is recommended, but the frequency will depend upon the type of device and how often it is used. Most maintenance visits will run 1-2 hours.

What can I expect for extra contractual costs beyond the purchase of my elevator or lift?

If you purchase a residential elevator from Uppercut Elevators and Lifts you will not require a machine room, and will only need a minimal 6″- 2″ pit. The blocking requirements can be achieved with standard wood construction. A home elevator may require the builder to provide standard household doors while in a commercial application, they are often included in the price. Electrical will need to be brought to the location of the device, but sometimes this is as simple as a 120 VAC source. We do not require a pit drain as long as the area is water tight and no hydraulic oil separator is necessary. We can provide a detailed contract requirement list so that you can calculate all the costs associated with the elevator or lift.

Home & Residential Elevators

Do you offer residential elevators?

Yes. We work with you to customize your residential elevator to fit your needs and the aesthetics of your home. Our selection of home elevators are safe, quiet, and operate at 40fpm with up to 50 feet of travel. Your home elevator comes complete with an enclosed car, a ceiling, automatic operation, and will continue to function even during a power outage.

How much is a home elevator?

Home elevators range anywhere from $25,000 – $75,000, with the vast majority being under $35,000.

Where are your home elevators made?

Our home elevators are ordered directly from Garaventa Canada, located in British Columbia, Canada.

What type of elevator is best for home purposes?

Garaventa Elvoron Elevators offers luxury and convenience with no machine room necessary. They offer a wide variety of options, including upgraded gates and fixtures that blend seamlessly into your home.

How long does a residential elevator last?

This is hard to answer because it depends on a number of factors. We still see devices in the field that were installed 26 years ago. Typically cable, screw or hydraulic drives will require more service than counter-weight driven devices.

Are residential elevators reliable?

Yes! Modern home elevators are safe and meet safety regulations. They are engineered to be reliable and durable to ensure a high level of safety.

What is the size of a home elevator?

You can get more information about the different sizes of the Garaventa Elvoron Elevators here.

What is the weight capacity of a residential elevator?

Most residential elevators can support up to 1,000 – 1,400 pounds.

Residential Lifts

What are some good quality residential lifts?

At Uppercut Elevators and Lifts, we provide some of the highest-quality residential lifts in the market, including:

  • Bruno VPL Porch lift
  • Genesis Shaftway Vertical Platform Lift
  • Genesis Enclosed Lift
  • X3 Inclide Platform Lift
  • Wessex Liberty 3 lift

We also provide stair lifts for straight stairs and stair lifts for curved stairs.

How much do you charge for residential lifts?

The cost depends on the type of residential lift you choose and the travel and application.

How long does a residential lift last?

On average, most residential lifts last between 10-25 years before parts may need to be repaired or replaced (not including batteries).

What is the minimum size of a residential lift?

A porch lift will require an approximate space of 20 square feet, while a stairlift rail typically installs within 5” of the nearest obstruction.

Do you provide residential lift maintenance?

Yes, we do, and it’s recommended annually.

Commercial Lifts

What type of commercial lifts do you have?

We provide the following commercial lifts:

  • Opal
  • Xpress II
  • Artira
  • Genesis Shaftway
  • Genesis Enclosed Lift
  • Genesis Staage – Portable Vertical Wheelchair Lift
  • Garaventa CPL
  • Garaventa Elvoron Lula
  • Stair Lifts – For Straight Stairs
  • Stair Lifts – For Curved Stairs
  • Stair-trac
  • Super-trac

I have limited space and need to put a wheelchair lift on the stairway. Do you have a solution?

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We need access to a stage, do you have a small commercial lift for this?

Yes, we offer both the permanently installed Opal and portable lifts such as the Staage, Supertrac, and Stairtrac.

How much do commercial lifts cost?

The cost depends on what type of commercial lift you choose.

Wheelchair Lifts

Can an inclined wheelchair lift go around corners?

Yes, we have commercial lifts that are designed to move effortlessly and safely on curved and spiral staircases.

What do you call a wheelchair lift?

A wheelchair lift is also known as a vertical platform or inclined platform lift.

What types of wheelchair lifts do you offer?

We provide the following wheelchair lifts:

  • Bruno VPL Residential Porch Lift
  • Genesis Opal Enclosed Lift
  • Genesis Shaftway and Enclosure
  • CPL Heavy-Duty Vertical Platform Lift
  • Genesis Staage Portable Lift
  • Super Trac Portable Lift
  • Artira, Xpress II and the X3 Foldable Lift

Stairlifts

Do you provide stairlift services?

Yes. We are a full-service elevator company that sells, services, and installs stair lifts for residential and commercial applications.

Which areas do you provide stairlift services?

We install our products throughout the province of Alberta and have offices in Calgary and Edmonton.

Will the stair lift block my staircase?

Stair lifts fold when not being used, and some only require 14” of space from the wall, allowing plenty of room to walk alongside it up or down the staircase.

How much do you charge for stairlift installation?

This can vary depending on the location, length of stairs and options, but they would average between $3,200 – $4,000.

Can the stair life damage my walls?

No, the stairway lift rail attaches only to the staircase, so nothing is attached to the wall.

Porch Lifts

Do you provide porch lifts?

Yes, we supply porch lifts for residential and commercial applications.

Do porch lifts work in the cold weather?

Yes, our porch lifts are designed to withstand cold weather. Our porch lifts only draw 8 amps under full load, come with silicone-injected rollers, and utilize aviation grease.

What is the difference between wheelchair lifts and elevators?

An elevator is an enclosed cab with a ceiling and is typically larger than a lift, with the ability to carry a few occupants at a time, depending on the size. A wheelchair lift is simpler in design than an elevator and its main purpose is to transport occupants up a flight of stairs or through an opening. Most lifts can only hold 1-2 occupants at a time. Lifts operate under constant pressure, while elevators utilize automatic operation.

How much do you charge for a porch lift?

The cost depends on the type of porch lift you choose, but they typically range from $6,000 – $7500.

How much weight is a wheelchair lift capable of carrying?

The weight capacity varies depending on the manufacturer and the model of the wheelchair lift. At Uppercut Elevators and Lifts, we can help you choose the right wheelchair lift that meets your needs.

Why is it important to have a wheelchair lift?

First and foremost, a wheelchair lift is important for the safety and comfort of those who need access to the building but are not physically able to use the stairs. By law, a public space must be physically accessible to all individuals. Wheelchair lifts reduce the risk of falls and injuries and create a sense of independence for wheelchair users.