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If you are planning to install a new elevator in your building, one of the first questions is simple: how long is this actually going to take? Setting realistic expectations early helps building owners plan around construction schedules, tenant communication, and budget timing, rather than being caught off guard partway through the project.
Elevator installation is not a single event. It moves through several distinct stages, each with its own timeframe and dependencies. Here is what that process typically looks like from start to finish.
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Site assessment and planning |
| Stage 2 | Procurement and shaft or structural preparation |
| Stage 3 | Equipment installation (mechanical, electrical, cabin) |
| Stage 4 | Testing, inspection, and certification |
| Stage 5 | Handover and staff or tenant orientation |
Every installation begins with a thorough assessment of the building, its structure, and its intended use. This stage covers traffic analysis, shaft dimensions, power supply review, and compliance requirements specific to the site.
Planning at this stage also involves confirming equipment specifications, agreeing on a project scope, and mapping out a realistic schedule for the stages that follow. Rushing this step tends to create problems later, so it is worth taking the time to get it right.
Once the equipment specification is confirmed, procurement begins. This includes ordering the lift components and coordinating delivery, which in PNG often involves import logistics that need to be factored into the overall timeline.
At the same time, any shaft or structural preparation work takes place. This might involve building a new shaft, reinforcing an existing one, or preparing the machine room and pit. This stage is closely tied to the building's construction schedule if the lift is part of a new build, or to disruption planning if it is a retrofit into an existing structure.
This is the hands-on stage where the mechanical, electrical, and cabin components come together. Guide rails, machine room equipment, wiring, controllers, and the cabin itself are installed and connected as a working system.
This stage requires close coordination between the installation team and the building, particularly where the lift shares space with other trades or ongoing construction work.
Before any lift can be handed over for use, it needs to pass through rigorous testing. This covers load testing, safety system checks, emergency stop and rescue procedures, and door operation, among other checks.
A lift that has not been properly tested and certified is a safety risk, not just a compliance gap. This stage is not one to shortcut.
Once testing is complete, the system needs to be inspected and certified in line with relevant PNG compliance requirements.
The final stage is handover. This includes walking building staff through operation and emergency procedures, providing documentation, and, where relevant, briefing tenants on how the new system works.
A good handover process means the building team is confident using and managing the lift from day one, rather than learning as issues come up.
The overall timeline for an elevator installation varies depending on the project. Factors that commonly extend the schedule include:
Because every building and project is different, the most accurate timeline comes from a proper site assessment and scoped project plan, rather than a generic estimate.
Understanding what each stage involves helps building owners plan realistically around their construction schedule and budget. JD Elevators PNG works with building owners across Port Moresby and the wider Pacific to scope installation projects from the first site visit through to handover.
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