Your building’s lift system is a critical piece of infrastructure that demands expert attention. Whether you manage a residential block, commercial property, or industrial site, the consultant you choose will directly impact the safety, performance, and longevity of your lift. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy years of smooth operation. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at costly repairs, safety risks, and endless headaches.
The challenge? Not all lift consultants are created equal. Some bring decades of hands-on experience and genuine expertise, whilst others simply tick boxes without truly understanding your unique requirements. This guide walks you through 10 practical tips on how to choose lift consultants who’ll genuinely serve your property’s needs.
Looking for trusted lift experts who combine technical knowledge with personalised service? At Arrival Lifts, we don’t just maintain lifts; we build lasting partnerships with property managers and owners across the South East, delivering expert lift solutions backed by over 25 years of industry experience. Contact us today by calling 0208 544 4888 or emailing enquiries@arrivallifts.com for professional guidance tailored to your property.
Arrival Lifts provides expert lift consultancy to help you choose, install, and maintain safe, efficient, and compliant vertical transportation systems.
Why Choosing The Right Lift Consultants Matters
Your consultant handles safety-critical equipment. They guide you through complex regulations. They influence spending decisions that can result in significant financial losses. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at:
- Unexpected breakdowns that could’ve been prevented
- Compliance issues you didn’t see coming
- Bills that keep climbing with no clear explanation
- Frustrated tenants or building users
Modern lifts aren’t simple. They’re a mix of mechanical, electrical, and increasingly, smart technology. A proper consultant gets all of it and explains things in plain English. They help you stay compliant, plan upgrades sensibly, and avoid the costly mistakes that can catch people off guard.
Also Read: The Importance Of Choosing The Right Lift Repair Service Provider
10 Practical Tips For Selecting Lift Consultants
1. Verify Their Qualifications And Industry Experience
Start with the basics when evaluating lift consultants. How long have they been doing this? What qualifications do their engineers actually hold?
You want people with proper credentials:
- Level 3 NVQ in lift engineering as a minimum
- Memberships in recognised bodies like CIBSE or IET
- Ongoing training to keep up with new regulations and technology
Experience across various building types is also essential. Someone who’s only worked on office buildings might struggle with residential blocks or industrial sites. At Arrival Lifts, our directors, Paul and Joe Johnston, bring over 25 years of combined experience across residential, commercial, and specialist facilities throughout Greater London, Kent, and Surrey.
2. Check They’re Genuinely Independent
Independence is huge when choosing professional lift engineers. Some consultants have cosy relationships with certain manufacturers or maintenance firms. That means their advice might be influenced by commission structures rather than your best interests.
An independent consultant gives you straight answers. Repair or replace? Modernise or maintain? They’ll tell you what’s actually needed, not what earns them the most. Ask directly about any manufacturer ties or business relationships. If they’re evasive, that’s your answer.
3. Test Their Emergency Response Credentials
Lifts don’t break down between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. They stop working at weekends, bank holidays, and the most inconvenient times possible.
Ask potential consultants:
- Do they offer genuine 24/7 availability?
- What’s their typical response time for emergencies?
- Can they provide examples of recent urgent call-outs?
4. Look For Full-Service Capability
Juggling multiple contractors for different lift needs is exhausting. One company for maintenance, another for repairs, someone else for installations. It gets messy.
A full-service consultant handles everything:
- Routine servicing and preventative maintenance
- Emergency repairs when things go wrong
- Lift installations for new builds or replacements
- Modernisation projects to upgrade ageing equipment
- Removals and disposal when systems reach end-of-life
They are familiar with your equipment’s complete history. They spot patterns developing. They become a partner, not just another contractor on your list.
5. Dig Into Client Testimonials Properly
Don’t just glance at star ratings. Anyone can cherry-pick positive reviews. Dig deeper.
Request references from properties similar to yours. Speak to those clients directly. Ask specific questions:
- How do they handle unexpected problems?
- Do they stick to quoted prices?
- How’s their communication during projects?
- Would you hire them again?
6. Assess Their Regulatory Knowledge
Lift maintenance regulations are subject to regular changes, encompassing safety standards, accessibility requirements, and environmental considerations. Your consultant needs to live and breathe this stuff.
During initial meetings, casually ask about recent regulatory changes. A competent consultant will discuss LOLER requirements, BS EN 81 standards, and accessibility regulations without breaking stride. They should also flag upcoming changes that might affect your equipment.
If they stumble or seem uncertain, that’s a red flag. Outdated knowledge could land you in compliance trouble or cost you money on unnecessary upgrades.
7. Judge Their Communication Skills Early
Technical knowledge means nothing if it cannot be explained clearly. You need someone who:
- Listens to your concerns without talking over you
- Explains problems in straightforward language
- Provides transparent quotes with no hidden surprises
- Keeps you updated throughout projects
Watch how they communicate during initial conversations. Do they ask thoughtful questions about your building? Do their emails make sense? Do they return calls promptly? These early interactions tell you everything about working with them long-term.
8. Compare Real Value, Not Just Prices
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value when choosing lift consultants. Rock-bottom prices often hide corners being cut or surprise charges down the line.
Look at the complete package:
- What’s actually included in the quoted price?
- What might cost extra later?
- How quickly do they respond to problems?
- What’s their track record for reliability?
Sometimes paying a bit more upfront for proper service saves you substantially over time: fewer breakdowns, longer equipment life, and no nasty surprises on invoices.
9. Check Their Technical Range
Lifts come in many flavours: hydraulic systems, traction lifts, machine-room-less designs, platform lifts, goods lifts. Your consultant needs a solid understanding of different types and manufacturers.
Ask about their experience with your specific equipment. How do they diagnose faults? What testing gear do they use? Can they work on multiple brands, or are they limited to one manufacturer’s systems?
Broad technical capability means they can handle whatever your building needs, now and in the future.
CONTACT ARRIVAL LIFTS
Get Expert Lift Solutions From Arrival Lifts
The tips above provide a solid framework for making this decision with confidence, ensuring you select professionals who genuinely understand your needs and consistently deliver excellent service.
At Arrival Lifts, we’ve built our reputation on exactly these principles. Since 2017, brothers Paul and Joe Johnston have grown our family-run business into one of the south-east’s most respected independent lift companies. Our engineers combine deep hands-on experience with ongoing training in the latest technologies and regulations.
We serve residential blocks, commercial properties, schools, healthcare facilities, and industrial sites across Greater London, Kent, and Surrey. Our comprehensive services cover everything from 24/7 emergency call-outs to planned lift installations and complete modernisation projects.
Contact us today by calling 0208 544 4888 or emailing enquiries@arrivallifts.com. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or expert advice on modernisation, we’re here to help.