5 Tips On How To Buy An Electric Hoist: Buying Guide For Beginners

Table of Contents

When installing a hoist, you’ll need a set of strong hands, steady nerves, and a lot of trust in your contractor’s skills. Well, you’ll also need to buy an electric hoist. It will be used to lift materials and equipment up and down a building, but it can also come in handy when it comes to construction projects.

Whether you’re a new DIYer looking to invest in your first hoist, or a seasoned DIYer who wants to upgrade your equipment, buying an electric hoist is a big decision. There are a lot of factors to consider and not many resources are available for newbies. But with a bit of research and a little patience, you can land on some of the best electric hoists.

Here are some helpful tips on how to buy an electric hoist.

Know What You’re Looking for

When you’re planning to buy an electric hoist, you should first list the types of lifts and equipment you’ll need to lift. For example, will it only be used to hoist construction materials, or will it also lift people? What is the heaviest load you’ll be lifting? If you’re planning to use your new electric hoist for construction projects, you’ll need to know how much weight your equipment can handle.

While you’re at it, think about where you’ll be lifting the load. If you’re installing a lift on a deck, you’ll need to ensure that the ground beneath is solid. You’ll want to avoid using a hoist meant for industrial use. If the load is lifted in an industrial setting, buy an industrial-strength hoist.

Once you have that nailed down, you can narrow down your options. The first step in that process is to identify the models of electric hoists you’re interested in.

Image source: Unsplash.com

How Much Should You Expect to Spend?

It depends on what you’re looking for regarding how much you should expect to spend on an electric hoist. Generally, a good model can be found for under $1,000.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it’s essential to read reviews and make comparisons between different brands. Some of the best electric hoists you can buy cost upwards of $2,000.

But there are also a few electric hoists that cost under $500. As such, it’s essential to consider what you’ll be using the hoist for and your budget.

You want to decide on a price range before heading to the store.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Important Specifications to Look For

Before you start looking for an electric hoist, you should have a good idea of what you’re looking for. Make a list of all of the things you’ll need the hoist to do. You can then narrow down the list by focusing on the most important features.

Winding Type – The winding type of a hoist will determine how much power the hoist has. The two most common types are winding drums and direct current (DC).
Maximum Lift Capacity – The maximum lift capacity you need is influenced by how many feet high a building can be hoisted. It’s not as important if you’re building a deck, but it’s crucial if you’re installing a lift at an industrial location.
Safety Features – An excellent electric hoist will have a lever or a button that stops the hoist when it reaches the top or bottom of its lift to load or unload. Also, pay attention to safety features like the maximum speed.

Brands to Consider

When it comes to brands to consider, you can start with the most popular brands in the market. However, it’s also good to look at other brands with some online research. This will give you a better idea of how different brands compare.

When it comes to brands, you’ll want to consider these questions:

What is the warranty?
What are the unboxing and setup experiences?
What are the reviews?
Are there any significant cons?

After you’ve done a bit of reading, start narrowing down the list. Once you’ve got a shortlist, start visiting stores. This way, you can see which equipment handles well and which ones have a lot of cons.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Get a Quote and Make a Final Decision

When buying an electric hoist, it’s essential to get a bid from the contractor. This will give you an idea of what you’ll be paying and what the project will look like. Once you have this information, you’ll be able to get a final price quote from the electric hoist seller. This will help you determine if you want to move forward with the purchase.

While the purchase price might not be high, the installation will most likely cost you. Make sure that you factor this cost into your overall budget. You’ll then estimate how much you’ll need to spend on an electric hoist.

Conclusion

Electric hoists make it easy to lift materials and equipment up and down a building. This can come in handy when it comes to construction projects. So, do your research, find a reasonable price point, and consider a few different brands before heading to the store.