Homeowners across India now install more residential lifts than ever before.
The reason is simple: 3-5 storey independent houses have become the norm, and stairs are no longer practical for elderly parents, young children, or heavy grocery bags.
This guide gives you every detail you need to decide tonight: exact sizes, real prices from last week, running costs, and the three types actually used in Indian homes today.
Why Battery-Driven Lifts Have Taken Over the Market
Battery-driven lifts now account for 78 % of our installations.
They solve the four biggest problems Indian homes face:
- Frequent power cuts
- Limited terrace space for machine rooms
- High electricity bills
- Noise complaints from neighbours
A battery-driven lift recharges on every descent.
Gravity does the work.
A family of five making 30 trips daily pays ₹108-₹180 per month – less than two Uber rides.
The Three Types Available in India
| Type | Pit Required | Machine Room | Cabin Size Start | Installed Price Range | Best For |
| Battery-Driven (MRL) | 50 mm | None | 800 × 800 mm | ₹20 – ₹34 lakh | 95 % of Indian homes |
| Hydraulic | 300 mm | Small corner | 900 × 1200 mm | ₹42 – ₹68 lakh | Luxury low-rise villas |
| Traction with Machine Room | 1200 mm | Full terrace room | 1000 × 1000 mm | ₹55 lakh + | Old apartments (rarely chosen now) |
Battery-driven models need no pit excavation, no oil changes, and no separate motor room on the roof.
Real Prices From Installations Completed Last Week
| City | Model | Floors | Cabin Size | All-in Price | Notes |
| Bandra | SWIFT Lite | 3 | 800 × 800 mm | ₹25 lakh | Side return, no pit |
| Whitefield | SWIFT Pro | 4 | 900 × 1200 mm | ₹29 lakh | Glass wall, voice control |
| Defence Colony | SWIFT Lite | 3 | 810 × 810 mm | ₹25 lakh | Painted to match 40-year-old bungalow |
| Kochi | SWIFT Premium | 5 | 1100 × 1400 mm | ₹31 lakh | Outdoor shaft, marine-grade finish |
Every price includes survey, civil work, GST, painting, five-year warranty, three years free service.
Running Cost Comparison
| Type | Units per trip | 30 trips daily | Monthly bill |
| Old hydraulic | 3-5 units | 2700-4500 units | ₹2,400-₹3,600 |
| Battery-driven | 0.15 units | 135 units | ₹108-₹180 |
The lift pays for itself in electricity savings within 8-10 years.
Space Requirements That Fit Indian Homes
Minimum external shaft: 965 mm × 880 mm
That is less than the average refrigerator.
We install in:
- Staircase voids (45 % of jobs)
- Beside the puja room
- Old servant quarter corners
- External shafts wrapped in brick jaali
Headroom required: 2275 mm above top landing (most homes clear 2400 mm).
Pit: 50 mm or simple ramp.
Five Common Sales Tricks (And the Truth)
- “Quote ₹22 lakh” → final bill ₹36 lakh after extras Truth: Fixed all-in price from day one.
- “You need 1.2 m pit” Truth: 50 mm is enough.
- “Machine room mandatory” Truth: Drive unit sits above cabin.
- “Battery lifts are slow” Truth: 0.3 m/s – same speed as hydraulic.
- “Power cut = stuck” Truth: 50-150 trips on backup battery.
Installation Timeline
Day 1: Site survey + 3D video
Day 2-4: Shaft erection
Day 5: Commissioning + handover
Total downtime: 4-6 days.
No scaffolding, no skip required.
Compatibility Checklist (Complete in 5 Minutes)
Measure these four items:
- Tightest corner > 965 mm
- Floor-to-floor height > 2275 mm
- Ability to recess 50 mm or use ramp
- Single-phase power within 3 metres
Four yes answers = ready to install.
What Happens Next
Send two photos via WhatsApp to +91 93 5543 7773:
- Staircase corner or proposed location
- Top landing
We reply within one hour with:
- 30-second video showing your exact lift fitted
- Fixed all-in price
- Available installation dates
No salesman visit required until you approve the video.
Residential home elevators in India are no longer a luxury.
They are the practical upgrade that keeps multi-generational families together under one roof.
SwiftLifts India
WhatsApp +91 93 5543 7773
