How do I find a local lift installer?

[artrem]

Joined this board about a year ago when I began conversion of my 1-car carport to a garage and found this place to be a goldmine of information. Garage came out great, climate controlled with a nice epoxy-urethane floor and all the power I need. Just finished installing compressed air. Unlike many here, I'm not blessed with a nice large workspace so I've had to be creative about using the space I have.

The last thing on my list is a lift. I've settled on two alternatives for my tiny 12 x 24 foot garage. With only an 8-foot ceiling (7-1/2 to retracted door), I'm looking at the MaxJax but might have to settle for something like the Ezcarlift or just stick to jack stands although I've never been comfortable working under stands. With only ~3ft of lift height available, this would be for routine fluid changes, minor under body work and wheel work.

My only reservation about the MaxJax is setting the anchors. The concrete pad appears to be in good shape with the thickness at the edge ranging from 4 to 6 inches, but I don't know for sure how strong or thick it is at the post mounting points. I also no longer have a truck and no friends here who can help. I have skills, but concrete work isn't one of them; I've never set concrete anchors and don't want to be learning on this job.

So, I'm looking for a local installer in the DC-MD metro area who can bring the MaxJax and install it, and possibly repair the slab if necessary. I can't seem to find anyone. I even called Danmar, but they wouldn't talk to me about it.

Anybody have any suggestions as to how I can find a residential lift installer in the Washington DC area?

Thanks!

 

[koster88]

I would ask a couple guys at local Shops. They always know who installs lifts.

 

[DonnyT]

Installing the MaxJax is very easy to do. IMHO most of the horror stories associated with the anchors is due to the inexperience of the individual DIY'er. All of mine came out great, no problems at all. A high quality hammer drill is needed which you can rent.

 

[Ray916MN]

Internet search for auto service and repair equipment, ask local garages who services their lifts, contact local car part stores that sell lifts and see if they know of anyone, contact local car clubs and find out who members have used or if their is a toy condo park like this one in MN http://automotorplex.com/ , contact them and find out who does installs for their owners.

 

[artrem]

Internet search for auto service and repair equipment, ask local garages who services their lifts, contact local car part stores that sell lifts and see if they know of anyone, contact local car clubs and find out who members have used or if their is a toy condo park like this one in MN http://automotorplex.com/ , contact them and find out who does installs for their owners.

Good advice, Ray. I've tried every kind of internet search I can think of with no luck, and I haven't been able to find any local shops in DC or Baltimore that sell residential lifts. However, trying the local car enthusiast clubs is a great idea. A lot of those folks probably have residential lifts.

Installing the MaxJax is very easy to do. IMHO most of the horror stories associated with the anchors is due to the inexperience of the individual DIY'er. All of mine came out great, no problems at all. A high quality hammer drill is needed which you can rent.

I suspect you are right it doesn't sound like rocket science, but I AM inexperienced. I would want to drill and set some practice anchors first and I'm not sure my wife would appreciate my drilling a bunch of practice holes in the patio.

 

[DonnyT]

Good advice, Ray. I've tried every kind of internet search I can think of with no luck, and I haven't been able to find any local shops in DC or Baltimore that sell residential lifts. However, trying the local car enthusiast clubs is a great idea. A lot of those folks probably have residential lifts.



I suspect you are right it doesn't sound like rocket science, but I AM inexperienced. I would want to drill and set some practice anchors first and I'm not sure my wife would appreciate my drilling a bunch of practice holes in the patio.

LOL. Costco had the best price and they delivered mine for free. No extra shipping cost to unload it either. If you must hire someone, a local contractor can drill holes for you and mount the posts.

 

[Jvvmusme]

A local contractor

 

[ChargedUp!]

Call Danmar and ask for a local installer in the area.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Call Danmar and ask for a local installer in the area.

The obvious answer is always the best answer. Call the manufacturer and find out who the dealer and installer in their area is.

When I bought my used Challenger lift, I emailed Challenger and asked for a copy of the manual, which they emailed to me right away, and for the name of a reputable installed. He gave me a contact name and number and it went rather well, despite my trepidations about the whole thing.

Charles.

 

[artrem]

LOL. Costco had the best price and they delivered mine for free. No extra shipping cost to unload it either. If you must hire someone, a local contractor can drill holes for you and mount the posts.

A local contractor

Yeah, you both are right; any contractor who works with concrete should be able to drill and set anchors, but I figure an installer would be the best person to assess the fit of these particular anchors for lift stability. The carpenter I worked with during garage construction doesn't do concrete work.

If I can't find anyone locally with relevant experience, I'll may have it dropped off in my driveway (I'll look into Costco), rent the tools, and try the install. If I do that, I just hope it will be obvious if the anchors don't set properly before I get under the car.

Call Danmar and ask for a local installer in the area.

Dannmar actually has a web page titled "Installation Service", which purports to help customers by "managing the complete delivery and installation process". Perfect! Except that the lady who answered the phone took care to remind me that they don't sell retail (duh), so they can't help me. I assume that means that this service is intended for their commercial clients and not for shlubs like me.

 

[DonnyT]

Call Dannmar and ask for Gabe. This guy is top notch. You could even send him an email. Make certain Gabe is your conatct person though. This guy will go out of his way to set you up. He used to be on this forum. His user name was Upshift I believe.

Here is his contact info:
Gabe
Dannmar
877-432-6627
[email protected]

 

[snowmants]

good info here. I am about 2 hours south of DC so if you get this figured out let me know!

 

[volaredon]

Anybody have any suggestions as to how I can find a residential lift installer in the Washington DC area?

Thanks!

"residential" installer" probalably is no such thing not like a lift is standard equipment in many residential garages.... the person staring at you in the mirror will probably do it though

 

[artrem]

"residential" installer" probalably is no such thing not like a lift is standard equipment in many residential garages.... the person staring at you in the mirror will probably do it though

LOL, yeah I'm beginning to think you are right. Doesn't look like I'm going to get any hand-holding for this project! No luck at all with Dannmar; per earlier suggestion, I emailed Gabe, and no response so far. In researching residential lifts, I've read many posts from homeowners who have had their lifts professionally installed, so I thought that such services were available for the MaxJax. I realize that this is not a difficult job; it's just that the consequences of a failed column are pretty serious.

Thanks to everyone here who took time to respond to my question. If I can get the MaxJax dropped off in my driveway, I think I'll get that guy in the mirror to do the install. If that dufus messes it up or if there are any problems with the concrete, then I'll find a local concrete contractor to pour new pads.

Wish I hadn't missed the Costco sale tho...

 

[VDubJoe]

I just installed my rotary 2 post. Not a big deal. I used a 28 volt Milwaukee hammer drill. Drilled 14 3/4 by 5" deep holes. All torqued to the recommended 150 lbs with no more then the instructions meas. for pull-up.


Joe

 

[artrem]

I just installed my rotary 2 post. Not a big deal. I used a 28 volt Milwaukee hammer drill. Drilled 14 3/4 by 5" deep holes. All torqued to the recommended 150 lbs with no more then the instructions meas. for pull-up.
Joe

Hey Joe-
Congratulations on your install. I'm envious not only because you know your concrete is up to the task, but also that you have the room for a rotary!

 

[boosteddsm92]

I'm in MD and I used a guy named Richard Burdett to install my 2 post. He picked up my lift from the terminal, delivered, and installed it. I'll go out to the garage tomorrow and PM you his number.

 

[CamarosRus]

Drilled 3/4" Holes through my 4" slab to install 2 post ROTARY.

POWERS wedge anchors would not tighten

Then used SIMPSON brand epoxy to secure the wedge anchors.

Never got 150# but did get 125# !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what should have I done ...other tan break out and repour thicker concrete???

 

[snowphun]

The obvious answer is always the best answer. Call the manufacturer and find out who the dealer and installer in their area is.

In my experience this isn't the best answer. My lift was installed by an installer on the manufacturers list, provided by the reseller. Installed was performed, a few months later I noticed one of the cables was fraying, turns out two cables were routed incorrectly on a pulley. Called the installer, they pretend they've never heard of me and aren't the same company that did my install. :| The installer is no longer on the recommended installer list but that didn't fix my situation.

So short answer, just because and installer is on a list doesn't mean they are going to do a solid job. The best way to get that is direct referral from other local customers.

 

[artrem]

In my experience this isn't the best answer. My lift was installed by an installer on the manufacturers list, provided by the reseller. Installed was performed, a few months later I noticed one of the cables was fraying, turns out two cables were routed incorrectly on a pulley. Called the installer, they pretend they've never heard of me and aren't the same company that did my install. :| The installer is no longer on the recommended installer list but that didn't fix my situation.

So short answer, just because and installer is on a list doesn't mean they are going to do a solid job. The best way to get that is direct referral from other local customers.

Snowphun- I agree. I'm still trying to get a referral in Maryland.

The MaxJax seems to remain the best solution for my space, but some digging around the perimeter of my pad suggests that it is around 4 inches thick, which may not be adequate. If I have to have pads poured, I'm probably almost doubling the cost of the project. So I'm considering two other options, all about the same cost as the MaxJax:

1) 4-post lift: no worries about concrete, but it would dominate my small space that I use for many projects.

2) Ezcarlift: Seems ideal for a small garage like mine, but I'm not convinced it's safe and it's way overpriced IMO for what it is.