New Build vs Retrofit: Choosing the Best Time to Install Your Home Elevator

Homeowners often wonder whether a lift should be installed while a house is being built or added later into an existing residence. This guide explains both options in a clear, technical way so you can choose the right time to install the best home elevator for your UAE property.

Introduction

Residential properties in the UAE are increasingly built across multiple levels. Villas, duplexes, and three- or four-floor houses require safe and reliable movement between levels. Stairways can become increasingly difficult to navigate over time for seniors, those with joint issues, or others with diminished physical capabilities.

A home lift provides a means of addressing these mobility limitations in a way that ensures increased safety, increased independence, and a greater level of comfort. It also helps protect the future usability of a property. One of the first decisions homeowners face is not which lift to choose, but when it should be installed.

Knowing when to install your home elevator will provide you with an effective way to save money on unnecessary costs, minimise disruption within your home, and ensure that your home elevator fits properly within the design of your home.

What does a new-build home elevator installation involve?

A new build installation means the elevator is planned and installed while the house is still under construction. The lift position, vertical openings, and electrical supply are included in the building design.

With many conventional elevators, this stage would require pits, shafts, and large machine rooms. Nibav home elevators are different. They are self-supporting and use pneumatic technology, which allows them to operate without relying on the building for support.

This means the best home elevator can be added to a new house with only a flat finished floor, vertical clearance, and power supply. No heavy structural work is required.

What is a retrofit home elevator installation?

Installing a home elevator post-construction is known as a retrofit. In the UAE, many homes weren’t built with elevators due to changing family situations over time.

As people age and experience decreased mobility, stairs can be very uncomfortable and unsafe, so Nibav elevator products provide a solution for those instances. There are no machine room or shaft requirements, and therefore installation occurs on top of a finished floor without harming the building’s integrity.

Therefore, home elevator installation can be done in occupied homes with little disruption to day-to-day activities.

Does installation timing affect structural safety?

With traditional elevators, timing matters because the building must carry the weight of the system. With Nibav, this is not the case.

Nibav elevators operate using controlled air pressure and gravity. The cabin and drive system are supported by the lift’s own cylindrical frame. The building does not carry the elevator load.

This makes structural safety identical whether the lift is installed during construction or added years later.

Is installation time different between new and existing homes?

Many homeowners assume retrofitting takes longer. With Nibav, installation time is almost the same in both situations.

Once the site is ready, installation normally takes three to five working days. There is no concrete cutting, no foundation work, and no major electrical modifications.

This makes scheduling flexible and predictable for both new and existing properties.

Does installing later cost more?

With conventional lifts, retrofit installation usually costs more due to building modifications. Nibav pricing is mainly based on the lift model, cabin size, number of floors, and custom finishes.

The timing of installation has little impact on overall cost. This allows homeowners to choose when the lift is needed instead of being forced to install it early.

How does energy use compare?

Regardless of when installed, energy efficiency remains unchanged for a Nibav elevator due to how the elevator moves up using air pressure and down with gravity.

This means that the Nibav provides significant savings in the amount of energy used and in their overall operating costs. The only power source needed in your home to operate a Nibav elevator is a standard single-phase electrical service.

What about maintenance and reliability?

Maintenance requirements are identical for new build and retrofit installations. Nibav elevators have fewer moving parts than conventional lifts. There are no ropes, no oil, and no heavy mechanical drive systems.

This improves long-term reliability and reduces service needs.

How does placement differ between new builds and retrofits?

In new homes, the lift can be placed exactly where the layout allows. In existing homes, Nibav elevators can be installed in stair spaces, corners, or open areas without blocking light or movement.

The transparent design helps maintain visual openness and interior flow.

Why is future planning important?

Some people will wait until their mobility issues start to affect their daily living, then install a lift. Planning ahead will allow the homeowner to keep the home accessible and usable for every family member throughout their lives.

Installing the best home elevator allows every level of the house to remain accessible regardless of age or health changes.

Why should you use a home elevator checklist?

A home elevator checklist can help with the homeowner’s consideration of their available space, required height, usage of the lift, and anticipated future needs before installing an elevator. It ensures the lift is chosen and positioned correctly for daily use.

Using a home elevator checklist helps prevent mistakes and ensures long-term performance.

Which option is right for you?

When you are building a brand-new home, knowing that you will want to install a lift, you will have complete control over the entire lift location and design while building your new home through new construction. If you already live in your current residence and find it necessary to have easier access to multiple levels of your home, you may wish to consider a retrofit install of your lift.

In both cases, the outcome remains the same; both are the best home elevators available for long-term living.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can a Nibav elevator be installed in an existing UAE home?
   Yes. Nibav elevators are designed for retrofit home elevator installation without structural changes.
2. Does the building need to support the lift?
   No. The lift is self-supporting.
3. How long does installation take?
   Most installations take three to five working days.
4. Does a home elevator improve property value?
   Yes. It increases accessibility and buyer appeal.
5. How do I choose the right model?
   Using a home elevator checklist with a Nibav specialist ensures the correct configuration.