Can You Fit a Parking Lift in Your Existing Garage? Check These 5 Things First

Most garage owners who call us have the same problem: two cars, one space. Building a bigger garage is expensive, so they ask whether a lift can stack the second car above the first.

Often it can. But it depends on the garage, and the answer is usually decided by five things. Check these before you look at any product.

1. Ceiling height: measure to the lowest thing, not to the ceiling

This is where most projects fail. A two-level lift needs room for the lower car, the platform and structure, the upper car, and some clearance on top.

A rough example (not a specification): a sedan is about 1.5 m tall and an SUV about 1.8 m. Stack the two and you are already above 3.3 m before adding the platform, the lift structure and clearance. That is why many standard garages with 2.4 to 2.7 m ceilings cannot take a full two-car stack.

Measure from the finished floor to the lowest obstruction, which is often not the ceiling. Look for:

• Beams and joists

• Light fittings and garage door tracks

• Pipes, ducts and cable trays

• The garage door itself when it is open

Then add up the height of the two cars you actually plan to park, including the tallest one. Our CHPLA2700 needs a minimum clear height of 4300mm. Confirm this against the technical drawing for the model you are considering.

2. Floor area and access: the lift has to fit, and the cars have to get in

A garage with enough height can still be too tight at floor level. Measure the length and width of the area, and note where walls, columns and steps are. Then check the part people forget: can you actually drive in and line up with the platform?

Check the width of the garage door, the turning space in front, and how far you can open car doors once the columns are in. A lift that fits on paper but leaves no room to get out of the car is not a good fit.

A simple sketch with measurements and a few photos is enough for us to start. Take pictures of the entrance, the inside, the ceiling and the floor.

3. The floor: a solid-looking slab may not be enough

A parking lift puts the weight of the cars and the equipment through the columns into the floor. Many lifts are fixed with anchor bolts, so the concrete has to be thick enough and strong enough to hold them.

We ask customers to check:

• Slab thickness (our CHPLA2700 requires at least 200mm of concrete)

• Concrete strength, if known

• Cracks, sunken areas or a slope

• Whether there is a drain or service duct where the columns will go

If you do not know the thickness, the floor can be tested. If it falls short, the options are usually to pour a reinforced pad where the columns stand, or to choose a model that spreads the load differently. Please do not guess here. A poor floor is a safety issue, not just an installation problem.

4. Your vehicles: plan for the biggest one, not the average

The lift has to carry the heaviest car and be long, wide and tall enough for the biggest one, including any future vehicle. People often size a lift for a sedan and then buy an SUV or a pickup two years later.

Write down the maximum length, width, height and weight of every vehicle that will use it. Pay attention to ground clearance and wheelbase if you own a low sports car or a long truck, because ramps and platforms can be a problem. Our CHPLA2700 is rated for 2700kg with a usable platform width of 2100mm.

5. Two post or four post parking lift: match the lift to the way you use the garage

Once you know your height, space, floor and vehicles, the choice is usually clearer.

Two post lift : takes less floor space and costs less, and suits garages where space beside the car is tight. Double cylinders and double chains to keep safe and balance.

Four post lift : has a drive-on platform and is popular for long-term storage and showrooms. It needs more floor area and is often easier to use when a car stays parked for months. It can load max 3500kg and be cost effective type.

Neither is better in general. The layout of your garage and how you use it should decide.

What to send us for a quote

You do not need engineering drawings. Send us:

1. Garage length, width and clear height, measured to the lowest obstruction

2. The make, model, height and weight of each vehicle

3. Indoor or outdoor installation

4. Slab thickness and any drawings, if you have them

5. How many cars you want to park

6. Photos of the entrance, inside, ceiling and floor

For unusual layouts, such as sloping floors, low beams or a tight entrance, we may recommend a site visit or a structural check before confirming the design.

Have a garage and need one more space? Please send us your measurements and photos and our team will tell you honestly whether a lift will fit and which model to look at. You can also inform us which one you would like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a car lift in my home garage? Many people can, provided the ceiling is high enough, the floor is strong enough and the lift fits the space and your cars. Height is the most common problem.

What ceiling height do I need for a two-car lift? It depends on the model and the cars. As a rough guide, add the heights of the two vehicles to the platform and structure and some clearance.

Can I install a lift on my existing concrete floor? Sometimes. The slab must meet the minimum thickness and strength for the model, and the anchor positions have to be suitable. If you are unsure, have the floor checked before you buy.

Can a parking lift carry an SUV or a pickup? Some models can. Check the vehicle's height, width, length and weight against the platform size and rated load, and remember the ceiling height limit.

Do I need a permit to install a parking lift at home? Requirements vary by country, city and building type. Check with your local building authority or your supplier before installing, especially in apartment buildings or leased property.

How long does installation take? Depending on the lift and site.