Put a Car Lift in Your Garage

When it comes to optimizing a garage, no item looks cooler than a car lift. These majestic machines are the perfect item for DIYers looking to learn the anatomy of their vehicles. But finding the right quality lift for your garage can be tough.

Some may have the means of buying any lift they want. But for the most part, these pieces of equipment are beyond the budget for many.  What does it cost to put a car lift in your garage?

Will a Vehicle Lift fit in my Garage?

Before the cost, you need to determine whether your garage will accommodate a lift. Don't worry, we'll have costs for you soon.

Length of a Garage

Before we dive into the two-post lifts vs. four-post lifts, let's see if your garage can fit either. A two-post lift is on average about 9 feet tall. This allows this type of lift to be installed in almost any professional at-home garage with a ceiling as low as 9 feet 6 inches.

Two post lifts can present issues for opening vehicle doors. This applies to vehicles parked under the lift, or next to it. Keep this in mind. You also have to keep in mind that lifts can have the motor within the posts or outside the posts. This will extend the width so be sure to plan your installation around this as well.

Garage Ceiling Clearance when Installing a Vehicle Lift

Here is where money starts to make its presence known. Without buying the lift.

With an installed lift, it may be necessary to raise the way the garage door opens. This is to clear the lift posts and any vehicle on the lift. The company that installed your garage door can address this but it will add to the cost of installation.

Will my Garage Floor Support the Weight of a Vehicle Lift?

This won't be an issue as most lifts don't add to the weight on the garage floor.

Voltage and Accessories to Run the Lift

While some lifts run on standard household current, other models need higher voltages and electrical work. Some even require a connection to a compressor for their use.

Now, About the Lift Cost

Lifts all vary in cost, size, and construction. See our vehicle lifts guide here to learn about the various types.

If you're going to be working on one or two cars (recreational use), a lower capacity two-post lift will be ideal.

If your plan is to use the lift to store a vehicle in a raised position, or need more stability/access to vehicle doors, a four-post lift will be more suitable.