Tower Lifts
Tower Lifts
Modernisation of Existing Lifts
A Step-by-Step Project Management Guide
The successful modernisation of existing lifts relies on precise project management. When you’re responsible for a commercial building, understanding the sequence of events – from the first site survey to the final safety certification – is vital to provide operational continuity.
This guide is designed for businesses that need a transparent look at the scheduling process. In this blog we take you through every stage of the modernisation project, ensuring no detail is overlooked. By following this professional framework, you can set your internal expectations, manage your budget effectively, and guarantee a modernised lift that delivers long-term value.
Tower Lifts is a long-established specialist with over ten years of experience in the design and modernisation of lift systems. Our reputation is built on technical excellence and a deep understanding of project lifecycles. We are ideally positioned to guide you through this process because we’ve seen every challenge firsthand, so you can be sure that our advice is grounded in practical experience of the process.
The Project Management Roadmap
In a busy commercial building, the very thought of “taking a lift out of service” can be stressful in itself. Which is why we create a clear schedule. The downtime then becomes a controlled window rather than a source of anxiety.
By understanding what each step of the project entails, we hope that you feel confident that your project is being handled with expertise and care.
Stage 1 – The Technical Audit and Compliance Review
A successful lift modernisation project begins with a clear understanding of the baseline. The Tower Lifts team starts with a comprehensive technical audit of your existing lift system. This is an in-depth assessment of the mechanical integrity and current compliance levels of your equipment.
By identifying which components meet modern safety standards and which are obsolete, we establish a realistic scope of work that prevents “budget creep” later in the schedule.
Stage 2 – Design, Specification, and Procurement
Once we’ve completed the audit, we move into the design and procurement phase. This is an important scheduling milestone because any bespoke components required often have long lead times that must be accounted for in the schedule as a whole.
We sit down together to choose the finishes, lighting, and technology that will define your newly modernised lift. At the same time, our project managers will be ordering the heavy-duty machinery. We ensure that when the installation date arrives, every nut, bolt, and panel is ready to go, avoiding any frustrating hiatus.
Stage 3 – On-Site Work and Phased Installation
This is where the lift modernisation begins on-site. Our engineers work to a phased schedule which is designed to minimise disruption to your daily operations. By stripping out the old components and installing the new systems in a controlled sequence, we ensure the site remains safe for building occupants. For buildings with multiple lifts, we can stagger the work to ensure that at least one lift remains operational at all times.
You’ll receive regular updates as we hit key milestones, such as the integration of new control systems or the installation of energy-efficient drives. We ensure that your staff or residents are informed and that the heavy work is scheduled to cause the least possible impact on your business.
Stage 4 – Commissioning, Testing, and Handover
Once the installation is complete, we carry out exhaustive testing to make sure that the lift is operating at peak performance. This includes safety gear tests, levelling checks, and full-load trials.
Only when we – and the independent inspectors – are 100% satisfied do we hand over and provide your team with the necessary O&M (Operation and Maintenance) manuals.
Lift Modernisation FAQs
Below, we’ve answered some of the questions we get asked most regularly by our clients about the scheduling, timelines, and logistics of modernising an existing lift system.
On average, the on-site modernisation takes between 4 to 12 weeks per lift, depending on the complexity of the upgrade. The total project schedule, however, includes an initial 8-to-12-week lead time for the design and procurement of bespoke components. We provide a tailored timeline during the audit stage so you will be able to plan with precision.
For safety reasons, a lift has to be decommissioned while its core components are being upgraded. If your building has multiple lifts, however, (a “duplex” or “triplex” system), we are able to stagger the schedule. This means that at least one lift remains fully operational at all times, offering vertical transport availability for staff and visitors.
The technical audit is, without doubt, the most important stage. Skipping a thorough assessment can lead to “unforeseen” mechanical issues midway through the project. By taking the time to carry out a detailed survey at the start, we ensure the rest of the schedule runs smoothly, on time, and within the agreed budget.
We’ve always found that communication is the best tool for staying on track. We provide a detailed project roadmap and hit clear milestones. Because we handle everything from design to installation in-house, we have greater control over the timeline and can adapt quickly to keep the project moving.
Planning The Stress-Free Modernisation of Existing Lifts
Planning a modernisation project is about balancing technical requirements with the daily needs of people using the building. We consider that the key to avoiding delays is a proactive approach to procurement and a commitment to rigorous testing.
At Tower Lifts, our operations are governed by a quality framework certified to ISO 9001:2015, guaranteeing that you get reliable service from the moment you contact us. On-site, we protect your people and your property by strictly adhering to ISO 45001 health and safety standards. Our status as a LEIA member and a Constructionline Gold approved supplier demonstrates our commitment to engineering excellence.
Call Tower Lifts for a free consultation. From bespoke design to final handover, we provide the project management expertise you need for a successful modernisation – 01525 601099
Tower Lifts carry out design and installation on a varied range of lifts throughout the UK including:
Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lift