Start With the Basics: People, Goods or Both?
The first decision is simple but critical:
- Goods-only hoists – Ideal for moving materials only
- Passenger and goods hoists – Designed to carry both people and materials
If your operatives need to travel with materials, a hoist capable of carrying both is usually the better option.
What Are You Actually Lifting?
You need to think beyond “materials” and get specific:
- Pallets of blocks or bricks
- Plasterboard packs
- Timber lengths
- Mechanical and electrical equipment
- General site materials
Each comes with different weights, sizes, and handling challenges.
Key point: Your hoist needs to suit your heaviest and most awkward load, not just your average one.
Plasterboard: Think Dimensions, Not Just Weight
Plasterboard is one of the biggest causes of poor hoist selection. Because it’s not just heavy, it’s large and awkward.
- Standard boards can be 2400mm–3000mm long
- Packs are bulky and difficult to manoeuvre
- They’re easily damaged if forced into tight spaces
If your hoist platform is too small: - You’ll waste time repositioning loads
- Increase risk of damage
- Slow down internal works
Best practice: Choose a hoist with a platform size that comfortably accommodates full board lengths and packs.
Safe Working Load (SWL): Don't Just Get By
It’s tempting to choose a hoist that just about handles your loads, but that’s where inefficiency creeps in. For example:
- A plasterboard pack might push the limits of a smaller hoist
- Operators may need to split loads into multiple lifts
- More lifts means more time, more labour, and more wear on the machine
A better approach is to select a hoist with sufficient safe working load so you can: - Lift full loads in one go
- Reduce cycle times
- Keep trades moving
Throughput and Productivity
Think about how busy your hoist will be. Ask yourself:
- How many trades will rely on it
- How many lifts per hour are expected
- Whether it could become a bottleneck on your site
A hoist is a key part of site logistics. Choosing undersized equipment can create:
- Queues on site
- Delays across multiple trades
- Programme slippage
One poorly specified hoist can slow an entire project down.
Site Constraints and Setup
Consider the practical side of installation:
- Available space for base enclosure (minimum 500mm clearance)
- Scaffold interface requirements
- Tie positions and building height
- Landing configurations
These factors can influence the type, size, and positioning of the hoist on site. This is where early site surveys make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right hoist isn’t about picking a model—it’s about understanding how your site will actually operate day to day.
The best setups handle full loads without compromise, accommodate awkward materials like plasterboard, support both people and goods where needed, and keep the job moving without bottlenecks.
Early planning and the right specification will improve efficiency, reduce handling, and keep your programme on track.