Adding a lift or undertaking elevator installation in a Kiwi home used to feel like something reserved for penthouses and hotels. Now it is a smart, accessible upgrade that helps families stay in the homes they love, adds flexibility to multi-level living, and makes steep sections a non-issue. Whether you are planning a new build in Auckland or retrofitting a character home in Dunedin, the steps are clear and the outcomes are reliable when you work with a team that blends global engineering with local know-how.
Canny Residential Elevators brings both. You get systems trusted in 100+ countries and a New Zealand installer network that turns plans into a safe, compliant, smooth-riding lift in your home.
Why homeowners across NZ are choosing residential lifts
There are practical reasons, lifestyle reasons, and future-focused reasons.
- Ageing in place with dignity, without needing to sell a much-loved home
- Easier daily life for anyone with mobility challenges, injuries, or young children
- Better use of hillside or narrow sites, common in Wellington, Nelson, and Queenstown
- Convenience for groceries, prams, e-bikes, laundry, and luggage
- Resale appeal for buyers who value accessible, well-planned homes
Architects now include a provision for a lift in many two or three-level homes, even if it is installed later, ensuring that elevator design is considered from the outset. The shaft can double as storage until the timing and budget align.
Global engineering, local support
Canny Elevator Co. Ltd was founded in 1997 and has grown into one of the world’s top elevator brands. That scale shows up in reliability, safety, and the depth of engineering behind every model.
- Over 800,000 elevators installed worldwide
- Certified to CE, ISO, and TUV
- Supplied to airports, hospitals, hotels, and homes
- A dedicated R&D centre with more than 500 engineers
In New Zealand, the full residential range is delivered through a certified local distributor and installer network. You get NZ-wide site consultations, consent guidance, and an installation team trained to international standards, along with parts supply, responsive aftercare, and service plans. Every installation is built to meet or exceed the NZ Building Code and relevant safety regulations.
Safety and quality features you can trust
Your lift has one job: move people safely and predictably. Canny equips every residential model with layers of protection.
- Motion detection between doors
- Overspeed protection
- Emergency battery-powered descent
- Door interlocks and backup braking
- Anti-shake ride system for a stable, quiet experience
Every new lift is supported by comprehensive aftercare, including parts coverage, professional servicing, and options to extend maintenance and support over time.
What the installation feels like from your side
Most homeowners want to know three things: how long it takes, who does what, and where the risks or surprises might sit. With Canny, the workflow is structured, and you get regular updates at each milestone.
The step-by-step pathway
- Initial consultation and needs assessment
- A local specialist meets you on site or online to understand your layout, who will use the lift, and any constraints. You can share architectural plans or a simple sketch. If it is a retrofit, we will flag any obvious structural or services issues early.
- Site survey and technical planning
- Engineers measure floor-to-floor heights, check power supply, access for delivery, and assess foundations and fixing points. This is where the model is matched to the space and your council’s requirements.
- Design and customisation
- Choose cabin finishes, door types, controls, lighting, handrails, and other options. At the same time, we prepare documentation for building consent and coordinate with your architect or builder. Compliance with the NZ Building Code and the AS/NZS 1735 lift standard set is built into the design.
- Fabrication and component testing
- Key components are built or sourced, then pre-tested. This reduces on-site rework and keeps the schedule tight. You will get a delivery and install date range once the shipping timeline is confirmed.
- Installation on site
- The team prepares the shaft or hoistway, installs rails and drive systems, runs electrical wiring, commissions safety systems, and completes cabin finishes. Coordination with your builder and sparkie is planned in advance.
- Final inspection and safety validation
- We test under load and complete checks to satisfy both our internal safety standards and your council or certifier requirements.
- Handover and demonstration
- You receive an orientation on controls, emergency procedures, and basic care. Documentation includes your warranty and service plan, and details for annual checks if your council requires a Building Warrant of Fitness for the lift.
Timeline and roles at a glance
Every project has variables, but the table below gives a realistic sense of the pace for a typical two or three-stop lift.
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration | Who is involved |
| Consultation | Goals, layout, constraints, indicative budget | 1 to 2 weeks | Homeowner, Canny consultant |
| Survey and planning | Measurements, power, access, fixings, seismic | 1 to 2 weeks | Engineer, installer, sometimes builder |
| Design and consent | Selections, drawings, consent docs, PS1 | 3 to 6 weeks, council time varies | Canny design team, architect, council |
| Fabrication and logistics | Build, testing, shipping to NZ site | 6 to 10 weeks | Canny manufacturing and logistics |
| On-site installation | Shaft prep, rails, drive, wiring, cabin | 5 to 10 working days | Installation team, sparkie, builder |
| Testing and sign-off | Load tests, safety checks, council/IoD sign-off | 1 to 2 weeks | Installer, independent certifier, council |
| Handover | Training, documents, service plan | Same week as sign-off | Installer, homeowner |
Note: New builds often compress install time as the shaft and power are prepped during construction. Retrofits can take a little longer if structural alterations are needed.
New build or retrofit, the approach differs slightly
New builds
- The lift shaft is framed as part of the structure with the correct pit and headroom from day one, taking into account modern elevator design principles.
- The electrician provides a dedicated feed, isolator, and earthing based on the selected model.
- Coordination with the builder is tight, which shortens the on-site install window.
- The lift and elevator installation can be completed after plasterboard but before final flooring to protect finishes.
Retrofits
- A structural engineer confirms load paths and wall fixings, and whether a self-supporting shaft is preferable.
- There may be small trade works: trimming joists, installing a shallow pit or ramp, rerouting services, patching floors, and reinstating finishes.
- Older homes sometimes require an asbestos check before cutting. We will flag this early if the house age suggests it.
Technical requirements in plain language
Every home is different, but these are the usual design parameters for modern residential lifts.
- Space and shaft footprint
- Common internal cabin sizes start around 900 by 1200 mm, with options larger than 1100 by 1400 mm for wheelchair use.
- Door clear openings of 800 to 900 mm are typical for accessibility.
- Pit and headroom
- Pit depth can be as low as 50 to 120 mm for many models, or pitless with a low-profile threshold ramp if preferred.
- Headroom at the top of the shaft usually ranges from 2400 to 3000 mm depending on speed and doors.
- Power supply
- Most residential models run on single-phase 230 V with a dedicated circuit, though larger capacities may call for three-phase.
- An RCBO and isolation switch are standard. UPS-backed descent is integrated.
- Structure and fixings
- Fixings connect to solid substrates. In retrofits, steel brackets or a self-supporting frame can avoid heavy alterations.
- Seismic restraint to NZ expectations is included in the engineering package.
- Ventilation, moisture, and coastal conditions
- Shafts should remain dry and ventilated. In coastal zones, finish selections and coatings can be specified for durability.
- Standards and compliance
- Designs reference the AS/NZS 1735 series for lifts, the NZ Building Code, and electrical work to AS/NZS 3000. Your installer handles the paperwork.
If you have a tight site or cellar conversion, talk to the team early. There is often a model that fits, or a simple architectural tweak that frees up the space you need.
Consents, inspections, and the legal bits in NZ
Residential lifts usually require building consent. They can also be listed as a specified system, which means your property may have a compliance schedule and yearly checks by an Independently Qualified Person. The local Canny installer helps you understand exactly what your council expects and handles most of the submission package.
Typical documents include:
- Architectural and structural drawings
- Producer Statement PS1 from the designer or engineer
- Product specifications and safety features
- Installation methodology and seismic details
- Electrical compliance information
At the back end of the project, you receive the paperwork needed for Code Compliance, any required commissioning certificates, and the service plan that supports the Building Warrant of Fitness if your lift is on the compliance schedule. Council processes vary by region, so guidance from someone who deals with your authority week in, week out, saves a lot of time.
What affects cost and how to budget
Budgets vary with capacity, finishes, and the complexity of the site. The figures below are indicative and help with early planning.
- Platform and compact residential lifts are typically priced within a mid-range bracket, depending on specifications and site conditions.
- Premium traction or hydraulic cabin lifts with larger cars and automatic doors: from the mid 60,000s to 100,000+ NZD
- Building works for retrofits: often 8,000 to 25,000 NZD depending on structural changes and finish reinstatement
- Consent fees, engineering, and inspections: council dependent
- Rural travel and cranage if needed: priced case by case
Where the money goes:
- The lift system itself and imported components
- Installation labour by trained technicians
- Builder and electrical works
- Freight, cranage, and site access solutions
- Project management, design, and compliance administration
The best way to firm up numbers is a site visit. You will receive a clear scope and a transparent line-by-line price so there are no surprises.
Spec cheat sheet for common residential options
The right model depends on use, site, and taste. Here is a quick comparison to help frame the conversation.
| Type | Typical capacity | Speed | Pit and headroom | Energy and noise | Best for |
| Compact traction MRL | 250 to 320 kg | Up to 0.3 m/s | Shallow pit, moderate headroom | Efficient, quiet ride | New builds and clean retrofits |
| Hydraulic cabin lift | 320 to 400 kg | Up to 0.3 m/s | Slightly deeper pit, flexible headroom | Smooth, very steady at low speeds | Larger cabins, higher loads |
| Screw-drive platform | 250 to 300 kg | Up to 0.15 m/s | Minimal pit, modest headroom | Simple power, low complexity | Tight spaces and budget-conscious installs |
Canny’s residential range spans these categories, incorporating innovative elevator design, with finishes from minimalist glass and stainless to warm timber accents and soft LED lighting. Controls can be set at comfortable heights, and door options include manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic.
Preparing your home and your builder
A little planning up front makes elevator installation tidy and predictable.
- Decide the location early and keep it free for inspections and install day
- Confirm the power feed and isolator with your electrician
- Make sure delivery access is clear, driveways can handle a small truck, and parking is available
- If you have pets, arrange a safe space for them during install
- Tell neighbours about any brief crane use or daytime drilling
- For retrofits, remove fragile items near the work zone and consider a pre-1960s asbestos survey if advised
Your Canny project lead will share a schedule and let you know when noise, dust, or short power isolations might happen so you can plan around it.
Aftercare, servicing, and peace of mind
Like a car, a lift rewards regular servicing. Most homeowners choose a scheduled maintenance plan that includes safety checks, lubrication, adjustments, and firmware updates where applicable. Visits are usually twice a year, or quarterly for heavy use or multi-party dwellings.
What you can do day to day:
- Keep door tracks clean and free of grit
- Report unusual sounds or ride behaviour promptly
- Avoid overloading and keep the car tidy for sensors to work correctly
- Test the emergency phone or alarm as per the service plan
Canny’s parts supply and local technicians mean fast support. If your council requires annual IQP inspections, your service plan will line up with those dates and documents.
Frequently asked questions from Kiwi homeowners
- Will a lift fit my home?
- In many cases, yes. Modern designs can work with footprints smaller than a standard wardrobe. A site survey confirms the best location and whether a self-supporting shaft is the smarter choice.
- How loud is it?
- Very quiet. With the anti-shake ride system and careful isolation from the structure, most people describe a soft hum and gentle start-stop.
- What happens in a power cut?
- The emergency battery-backed system lowers the lift to the nearest floor and opens the doors. You also get an emergency alarm and manual release procedures.
- Do I need three-phase power?
- Not usually. Many residential models run happily on single-phase 230 V. Larger capacities or higher speeds may benefit from three-phase, which we will confirm during planning.
- Will I need yearly inspections?
- Many councils treat residential lifts as a specified system, which means a compliance schedule and yearly checks. We manage the setup and can arrange the annual IQP work as part of your service plan.
- What is the typical lead time?
- From design sign-off to handover, allow about 12 to 20 weeks. New builds can stage the work efficiently, while retrofits can add time for structural alterations or consent processing.
A closer look at how compliance gets handled
New Zealand’s building framework is thorough, and that is a good thing. Expect three touchpoints: design sign-off, consent and construction monitoring, and final sign-off.
- Design sign-off
- You select your finishes, we complete drawings and engineering, and a PS1 is issued by the designer or engineer.
- Consent and monitoring
- The consent application goes to council with a list of specified systems if needed. During installation, the installer may issue a PS3, and the engineer a PS4 for structural elements.
- Final sign-off
- After commissioning, test results and certificates are supplied. Council may inspect, and then issue Code Compliance. If your lift is on a compliance schedule, it will join your Building Warrant of Fitness routine from year one.
This process is fully managed by your Canny team. You will always know what is happening next and who is responsible.
What you get with Canny Residential Elevators
- NZ-wide support, from site consultations to consent guidance
- Installation teams trained to global standards, supported by one of the world’s leading elevator manufacturers.
- A full range of residential models and finishes that suit Kiwi homes
- Safety first, with advanced protections built in
- Transparent timelines and costs, with updates at every stage
- A warranty you can count on, plus maintenance plans and responsive local service
Ready for a detailed chat about your project? Share your floor plans, a few photos, and your wish list. We will confirm feasibility, outline options, and give you a clear proposal that covers everything from consent to sign-off and ongoing care.