Whether you do your own car repair and restoration or run a business out of your home garage, there's nothing more helpful than being able to work under a car safely and comfortably. Since there are many factors to consider when choosing the right home garage car lift for your situation, we've put together a guide of the specifications and advantages of different types of car lifts.
Types Of Car Lifts For A Home Garage
There are four main types of car lifts that make the best residential garage car lifts.
Low to mid-rise scissors lifts
Truck lifts
Car Lift Space Requirements
The type of vehicles you work on will determine your car lift space requirements. Different types of car lifts have different capacities, so if you're only working on smaller vehicles you may not need a lift that can handle 10,000 lb. but, if you're working on trucks or larger SUV's, consider investing in a higher capacity lift.
On average, older homes tend to have a 7' to 8' ceiling in the garage while newer homes are typically built with 9' ceilings. So if you're a new or entry-level mechanic starting out in a home garage, consider a low to mid-rise car lift. These are typically around 4' to 5' wide and 7' in length and can raise up to between 2' and 4'. Having that additional clearance of a low-rise lift is perfect for a quick tire, wheel, or brake service. There are even portable lifts if you're a traveling mechanic.
Just because these lifts are smaller, doesn't mean they're less capable. Need to lift a truck? No worries! There's a heavy duty model with a 10,000 lb. capacity that's perfect for lifting trucks. You'll need a bit more space to accommodate the width and length of this car lift, but you'll still be able gain some ground clearance in a low ceiling garage.
How To Choose The Best Car Lift For A Home Garage
Choosing the right lift can come down to a few factors:
•Your goal - are you a hobby mechanic that likes to tinker, or are you looking to start a business?
•Your space - do you have an attached residential garage or are you building a detached garage for your business? How many other large machines or tools do you need to fit in your garage? Is the purpose of the lift to add storage for vehicles?
•Money - is the car lift being written off as a business expense or is it purely to benefit a hobby?
•Certifications - Has the lift been tested and certified by ETL to USA lift standards?
•Manufacturers - Do you know where the lift is made and who the manufacturer is? Are you buying a cheaper lift that's imported to the U.S.? Is it certified?