Installing an elevator in an existing building takes between three and six months from the initial site visit to commissioning, with only three to six weeks of actual construction. The rest involves the design, obtaining the necessary permits, and manufacturing the elevator itself. Replacing an elevator with a new one is faster: between three and eight weeks, because the existing shaft is used. In new construction, the installation is integrated into the building's schedule and doesn't add any additional time.
When a community decides to install an elevator, almost everyone asks about the price. The second question comes shortly after and is usually more surprising: How long will we be working on this project?. And that's where the honest answer is a little uncomfortable, because most of the timeframe doesn't depend on the company that installs the device.
Of the four to six months the entire process takes on a property in Mallorca, the installation itself only takes a few weeks. The rest is divided into three parts: drafting the project plans, waiting for the city council's permit, and manufacturing the elevator. This guide breaks down each stage with realistic timelines and separates the three scenarios that people often conflate: installing an elevator where there isn't one before, installing an elevator in a building, and replacing an old one with a new one.
How long does it take to install an elevator from start to finish?
Between 3 and 6 months in an existing building, counting from the technical visit until the elevator is put into service. The typical breakdown in Mallorca is as follows:
| Phase | Usual term |
|---|---|
| Technical visit, measurement and proposal | 1-2 weeks |
| Technical project and visa | 2-4 weeks |
| City council building permit | 1-3 months |
| Elevator manufacturing | 6-10 weeks |
| Civil works and assembly | 3-6 weeks |
| Initial inspection and commissioning | 1-2 weeks |
The process isn't simple: manufacturing and licensing overlap when the project is well-planned, and that's where a skilled company saves you a month. Ordering the device before obtaining the license is risky; waiting for the license to begin manufacturing adds six dead weeks to the schedule.
The most unpredictable part is always the municipal level. In Mallorca, deadlines vary considerably from one town hall to another, and in historic centres with heritage protection, the process takes longer. We discuss this in detail in the guide on install a lift in an old building.
How long does it take to install an elevator in a residential building?
In addition to the technical deadline, there is the deadline set by the community itself, which in practice is the one that takes the longest: between the first meeting where the elevator is proposed and the signing of the contract, two to six months usually pass.
That time is consumed in three steps that should be ordered well:
- Initial meeting to approve the request for budgets, not to decide on the work.
- Gathering two or three comparable offers, with the same batches, which takes about three or four weeks.
- Approval Board with the chosen budget, the agreed funding and, if applicable, the grant application submitted before starting.
That last point is the one that causes the most delays. If the community is going to request public aid, the application must be submitted. before starting the works, And that affects the entire schedule. The calls for applications and their deadlines are in the guide of Grants and subsidies for installing elevators in the Balearic Islands, and the board's procedure, in How to approve the installation of an elevator in your community.
How long does it take to replace an elevator with a new one?
Replacing an existing elevator takes between 3 and 8 weeks of effective work, considerably less than installing one from scratch, because the shaft is already built and no structural work is needed, nor, in most cases, a major permit.
The typical timeline for a replacement is: 4 to 8 weeks for manufacturing the unit, which takes place while the old elevator is still in operation, and then 2 to 4 weeks with the unit out of service to dismantle the old one, install the new one, and pass the inspection.
That stoppage is the point that needs careful planning in buildings with elderly residents. If what you need isn't to replace the entire elevator but to update components, the alternative is modernisation, which leaves the elevator out of service for a maximum of two weeks and is considerably cheaper: the timelines and prices per item are available at how much it costs to modernise a lift in Mallorca.
What lengthens the installation time of an elevator?
Five factors explain almost all the deviations from the planned schedule:
- The municipal license, especially in protected buildings or historic centres.
- The absence of a gap, which requires a structural project and a larger civil works project.
- Custom finishes cabin and doors, which extend manufacturing by several weeks.
- Community decisions, when every change of criteria forces the project to be redone.
- Unforeseen construction issues, Typical in old buildings: undocumented installations, foundations that are not as expected, or a floor slab in worse condition than anticipated.
There is a sixth factor specific to Mallorca that should be taken into account: the availability of tradespeople during peak season. Between May and September, construction on the island is at a high volume, and this is more noticeable in the timelines for auxiliary trades than in the actual elevator installation.
How long will the building be without an elevator during the construction work?
In a new installation, there's no service to lose: the building never had an elevator. In a replacement, the actual downtime is 2 to 4 weeks, and in a partial modernisation, from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the work involved.
It's advisable to specify this date in writing in the contract, including the start date and the expected commissioning date, and to notify residents with reduced mobility well in advance. In buildings where someone lives who can't use the stairs, this isn't just a logistical matter: it's what determines whether the work is done in March or October.
Frequently asked questions about elevator installation time
How long does it take to install an elevator in a building without a shaft?
Between 5 and 8 months in total, compared to 3 to 6 months for a building with a usable shaft. The difference lies in the structural design, the permit—which is usually for major construction—and the civil engineering work, which can add several weeks to the installation. If the elevator is located in the interior courtyard or attached to the facade, the corresponding permits must also be obtained.
Is it possible to install an elevator without closing the building's entrance?
In most buildings, the entrance remains accessible, although with some inconveniences: material storage, noise and dust during construction, and occasional restrictions on access for safety reasons. Normal use of the staircase is not possible on the days when guide rails and frames are being installed, so it's advisable to coordinate with your neighbours.
How long does the initial inspection of a new elevator take?
Commissioning requires an initial inspection by an accredited inspection body and registration of the device with the relevant authorities, which is usually completed within one or two weeks if the documentation is complete. From that point, the frequency of subsequent inspections begins, as explained in the guide periodic lift inspections in the Balearic Islands.
Is it faster to install a hydraulic or an electric elevator?
The installation timeframe is similar; what changes are the space requirements. The hydraulic system needs a pit and space for the drive unit, while the modern electric system, without a machine room, makes better use of a limited space. In existing low-rise buildings, this difference in space often has a greater impact on the schedule than the technology itself. We compare them in Electric or hydraulic elevator: which one to choose.
We give you the actual calendar for your building
The deadline for your property isn't determined by a table: it's based on the available space, the relevant town hall, and the appliance you need Eleva Balear we conduct a free, no-obligation technical visit and provide you with a phased schedule along with the budget, so you know when the work will begin and when you'll be able to use the elevator. We work with the installation of lifts in Mallorca with our own equipment. Call us at 971 17 81 51 or write to quierosercliente@elevabalear.com.
