LIFT DESIGN
Smarter Lift Design
Starts With The
Right Advice
If you’re looking to install a new lift or modernise, refurbish, or replace your existing lift system, we can offer you independent specialist advice on the process you need to take with your lift design.
Independent Lift Design Consultancy
Whether you are planning a new lift installation or reviewing an existing system, lift design should begin with a clear understanding of your building, your users, and your long-term operational needs.
At ILECS, we provide independent lift design consultancy for new-build, refurbishment, modernisation and replacement projects. Our role is to help clients make informed decisions from the outset, ensuring the final solution is compliant, practical, cost-effective and tailored to the building it serves.
We work with building owners, managing agents, developers and project teams to create lift design strategies that support performance, passenger flow, accessibility and future reliability.
Why Choose ILECS for Lift Design?
As an independent lift consultancy, our advice is focused on what is right for the building and the client’s objectives. We are not tied to a manufacturer or installer, which means our recommendations are impartial, practical and project-specific.
We support clients at every stage of the process, from early planning and technical review through to specification, tender analysis and project oversight. The result is a lift design approach that gives clients clarity, reduces uncertainty and helps create better long-term outcomes.
Our Lift Design Process
01.
Understanding your building and project goals
We begin by reviewing your building, existing infrastructure and project objectives. This helps us understand how the lift system needs to perform, who it will serve, and any operational, spatial or budget considerations that need to be taken into account.
02.
Site survey and technical review
Where required, we carry out a site survey to assess the building layout, current lift arrangement and any technical constraints. This allows us to identify opportunities, risks and the most suitable direction for the project.
03.
Lift design strategy and recommendations
Using the findings from the initial review, we prepare a lift design strategy tailored to your building. This may include recommendations on lift type, capacity, performance, traffic requirements, compliance considerations and overall project scope.
04.
Specifications and tender support
We produce detailed lift specifications to support the tender process and help ensure contractors are pricing against the same clearly defined requirements. This improves clarity, supports better comparison of submissions and reduces the risk of gaps in scope.
05.
Contractor review and project support
We can assess tender returns, support contractor selection and provide ongoing advice as the project progresses. Our aim is to help clients move forward with confidence and maintain quality throughout delivery.
06.
Oversight through to completion
During installation or upgrade works, we can remain involved through site visits, progress reviews, snagging and final testing support. This helps ensure the finished lift system performs as intended and meets the agreed design brief.
Compliance, Performance and Building Requirements
Every lift design project must respond to more than just movement between floors. It also needs to consider safety, accessibility, building use, user expectations, maintenance access and current legislative requirements.
At ILECS, we take a practical approach to lift design, ensuring recommendations are aligned with the technical and compliance needs of the building while supporting day-to-day performance. From passenger flow and evacuation considerations to replacement planning and long-term serviceability, we help clients make decisions that are both informed and commercially realistic.
NAVIGATE By ILECS
Lift Design Projects We Support
Lift Modernisation
For lifts with serviceable core components, modernisation can improve performance, reliability and compliance without full replacement. We help identify which elements should be retained, upgraded or replaced.
Lift Replacement
Where an existing lift has reached the end of its useful life, full replacement may be the most effective option. We advise on complete replacement strategies that suit the building, usage demands and future maintenance requirements.
Lift Installation
When considering installing completely new lifting equipment in a building, where it does not currently exist or adding to existing facilities, it’s crucial that the equipment is of high quality and suitable for the needs of the building.
Lift Refurbishment
Lift refurbishment enhances your existing installations by retaining many of the major components and replacing outdated, worn or damaged parts with like-for-like where possible.
Your Vision, Our Know-How
Essentially, a lift will manage the movement of passengers, goods and support services, including vehicle transportation and the facilitation of evacuation and firefighting.
ILECS lift consultants ensure your lift project is carried out to a high standard and with specified equipment suitable for the installation, and compliant with the latest standards. Get in touch today for a lift design consultation.
client testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a lift design service, from concept design to final handover?
It commonly includes feasibility and concept layouts, performance definition, interface coordination, detailed specification and schedules, tender support, design reviews during delivery, site and quality support as required, and assistance through testing, commissioning, snagging, and handover documentation.
When should I instruct lift design services for a new installation, modernisation, refurbishment, or replacement?
You should instruct lift design services early when scope is complex, risks are high, interfaces are tight, or decisions on shaft sizes, layouts, performance, or access must be locked in. It is especially useful for new installations and major replacements, and also valuable for complex modernisations and refurbishments with multiple interfaces.
How do you define the right lift performance for a building, capacity, speed, car size, and controls?
Performance is defined from building usage, occupancy, peak demand, and service expectations. This informs capacity, speed, number of lifts, car size, door type, and control strategy. Where needed, traffic modelling or a traffic analysis can validate options and prevent long waits and congestion.
What design deliverables will I receive, specification, drawings, interface schedules, and design risk information?
Deliverables typically include design intent information, layouts and key dimensions, performance and interface schedules, specification and pricing schedules for tender, and design risk information to support CDM. The exact outputs depend on project stage and procurement route.
How do you coordinate lift and escalator design with the wider design team, architect, structural, and M&E?
Coordination is done through clear interface schedules, workshops, and design reviews, aligning openings, loads, power and ventilation, fire and access constraints, and builder works. Early coordination reduces clashes, redesign, and delays during construction.
How do you ensure the design meets current standards, accessibility requirements, and fire safety needs?
By designing to the relevant lift and escalator standards as well as wider building regulations, aligning with building access requirements, and coordinating with the building fire strategy and design team. Compliance is managed through specification, interface definition, and review of contractor proposals against the required criteria.
How do full design duties help reduce project risk, variations, delays, and whole life cost?
A coordinated design clarifies scope, reduces interface gaps, and improves tender comparability. This lowers the risk of variations, programme slippage, and rework, and helps achieve a solution that is easier to maintain, more reliable, and better aligned to whole life value.
What information do you need to start full design duties, surveys, existing drawings, usage patterns, constraints?
Useful starting information includes existing drawings and surveys, lift or escalator details if applicable, occupancy and usage patterns, access and working hour constraints, structural and M&E capacity, fire strategy considerations, and any known site hazards. The better the baseline data, the faster design can progress.
Do you support testing and handover, witness testing, snagging, certification, and O&M manuals?
Yes, support can include reviewing commissioning plans, completing witness tests where specified, managing snagging and close out, and checking that handover packs are complete, including certifications, declarations, O&M manuals, logbook information, and any required safety file content.
What is a lift installation project, and what does it involve?
A lift installation project covers planning and design, defining performance and interfaces, preparing specifications and tender documents, appointing a contractor, coordinating building works and services, installing the lift equipment, and completing testing, commissioning, and handover documentation before the lift is brought into service.