Lift And Shift Services, UK-Wide Heavy Moving & Specialist Lifting
Specialist Lifting Solutions provides fully managed lift and shift services for commercial, industrial and residential clients across the UK. We move heavy, awkward and high-value items safely through restricted access environments including plant rooms, basements, stairwells, factories, offices, data centres and live construction sites.
Every lift and shift job we carry out is planned and delivered using a structured safety methodology - from site survey and route assessment through to RAMS documentation, competent supervision and controlled execution. Whether you need a single item moved or a multi-phase programme of lifts delivered to a tight schedule, our experienced teams and specialist equipment can handle it.
Why Choose SLS for Lift And Shift Services
Lift And Shift Services
Lift and shift work is our core business, not a sideline. We have delivered thousands of lifts across commercial, industrial and residential environments, from single-item domestic moves to complex multi-phase construction programmes.
Nationally Trusted
Trusted by Major Clients We have provided lift and shift services for Sir Robert McAlpine, Bowmer & Kirkland, Morgan Sindall, Kier, EasyJet, Marks & Spencer, the Ministry of Defence, American Embassy, Silverstone, London Underground, Thames Water and many more. Our track record spans every sector from construction and defence to healthcare, education and retail.
15+ Years Experience
We are not limited to one type of lifting. Our range of specialist equipment means we select the best method for each job rather than trying to make one approach fit every situation. This makes our lifts safer, more efficient and often more cost-effective.
Safety-Led Methodology
Every job follows a structured RAMS process. We carry out site surveys where needed, produce task-specific risk assessments and method statements, and maintain competent supervision throughout. We are fully insured and our teams hold CSCS, NPORS, IPAF and CISRS accreditations.
Fast Response
We understand that lift and shift work is often time-critical. We respond quickly to enquiries, provide clear quotations and can mobilise teams at short notice when needed.
What Are Lift And Shift Services?
Lift and shift is a specialist service for moving heavy, oversized or high-value items that cannot be safely relocated using conventional methods. Unlike standard removals or courier services, lift and shift work involves purpose-built lifting equipment, trained operatives and formal safety planning to manage the risks that come with moving loads that can weigh anything from a few hundred kilograms to several tonnes.
The term covers a broad range of work. It might involve lowering a 500 kg laboratory freezer down six flights of stairs using a powered stairclimber, removing a 2-tonne commercial boiler from a basement plant room using hydraulic skates and gantry hoisting, craning an air handling unit onto a rooftop, or relocating an entire production line across a factory floor on a tight shutdown schedule.
What makes lift and shift different from general haulage or removal services is the emphasis on controlled handling, access problem-solving and safety documentation. Most lift and shift work takes place in environments where access is restricted, floors need protecting, other trades are working and the items being moved are either very heavy, very fragile or very expensive - sometimes all three.
At SLS we have been providing lift and shift services for over 15 years. We have worked for clients ranging from FTSE-listed companies and government departments to small businesses and private homeowners, delivering lifts across every sector and every type of building.
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Our Lift And Shift Capabilities
Our Lift And Shift Capabilities
Our lift and shift service is designed to be comprehensive. We don't just provide the lifting - we manage the entire process from initial assessment through to final positioning and sign-off.
Site Survey & Route Assessment
For complex or heavy lifts we carry out a site survey in advance to assess the load, the route, any access restrictions, floor loading, doorway clearances and any obstacles that need to be managed. This allows us to plan the safest and most efficient method before arriving on site.
RAMS Documentation
Every lift and shift job is delivered with task-specific risk assessments and method statements. For commercial and construction sites this documentation is produced in advance and can be submitted for principal contractor approval. We work within CDM regulations and can integrate with your site safety management system.
Specialist Lifting Equipment
We maintain an extensive range of lifting and moving equipment and select the right tools for each job. Our inventory includes powered stairclimbers (SANO LiftKar, PowerMate, AATA Stair Robot), UNIC mini crawler / spider cranes, lorry-mounted cranes (HIAB), hydraulic jacks and skates, gantry hoisting systems, material lifts, glass vacuum lifters, machine skates, forklifts and manual hoists. This breadth of equipment means we can adapt to virtually any access condition or load type.
Trained and Accredited Teams
All lift and shift operatives are trained on the equipment they use and hold relevant accreditations including CSCS, NPORS, IPAF and CISRS where applicable. Every job is carried out under competent supervision with clear communication throughout.
Transport & Logistics
Where the job requires it, we can coordinate transport as part of the lift and shift service. We operate vehicles ranging from transit vans to full size lorries with beaver-tail ramps and lorry-mounted cranes, giving us the ability to collect, transport, deliver and position items as a single managed service.
Out-of-Hours and Weekend Working
Many lift and shift projects need to take place outside normal working hours to avoid disrupting building occupants or production schedules. We regularly work evenings, weekends and during planned shutdowns to fit around your programme.
Environments We Work In
Environments We Work In
Lift and shift work takes us into some challenging environments. Our teams are experienced in working safely in all of the following:
Plant Rooms & Basements
Tight corridors, low ceilings, narrow doorways and limited floor loading are all common in plant room environments. We use hydraulic skates, gantry systems and controlled rigging to manoeuvre heavy plant equipment safely in these confined spaces.
Factories & Workshops
Machine moves, production line relocations and equipment changeovers all fall under our lift and shift service. We work to your shutdown schedule and production timetable to minimise downtime.
Construction Sites
Live construction environments with multiple trades, time-critical programmes and strict CDM requirements. Our teams are CSCS accredited and experienced in working within principal contractor safety management systems.
Data Centres & Server Rooms
Server racks, UPS systems and cooling equipment need careful handling in environments where downtime is costly and floor tiles, raised floors and cable management must be protected.
Offices & Commercial Buildings
From safes and strongrooms to catering equipment and display units. We protect floors, walls and finishes and can work out of hours to avoid disrupting building occupants.
Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities
Medical equipment, imaging systems and laboratory instruments need careful handling and quiet operation. We have extensive experience working in NHS and private healthcare settings.
Government & Defence Sites
Moving heavy items like cast iron radiators, boilers, pianos, safes and large appliances into and out of private homes, often involving tight stairwells and period properties with limited access.
What We Commonly Lift And Shift
Items We Commonly Lift And Shift
Over 15 years we have moved thousands of heavy and awkward items across the UK. Typical lift and shift work includes:
- Commercial and industrial boilers (including cast iron boilers exceeding 1,000 kg)
- Air conditioning units, condensers, compressors and AHUs
- Generators and transformers
- Safes, strongroom doors and fireproof cabinets
- Server racks, UPS systems and IT infrastructure
- Catering and commercial kitchen equipment
- Vending machines
- Industrial machinery - lathes, milling machines, CNC equipment, presses
- Laboratory equipment - freezers, incubators, microscopes, fume cupboards
- Medical and diagnostic equipment
- Cast iron radiators
- Structural steelwork and concrete lintels
- Glass panels and glazing units
- Display cabinets, works of art and museum exhibits
If your item is not listed, contact us. Our experience covers virtually every type of heavy or awkward load.
How a Lift And Shift Job Works
How a Lift And Shift Job Works
1. Get in Touch - Call us on 01285 741 150, email Info@slslifting.com, or submit an enquiry through our online quote form. Tell us what needs moving, the approximate weight, where it needs to go, and any access restrictions you are aware of. Photos are always helpful.
2. Assessment - We assess the job and recommend the most suitable method and equipment. For straightforward lifts we can often quote from photos and a description. For complex or heavy lifts we carry out a site survey to assess routes, floor loading, clearances and any hazards.
3. Quotation - You receive a clear, fixed-price quotation covering labour, equipment, RAMS documentation and any transport required. No hidden charges.
4. Planning & Documentation - We produce task-specific risk assessments and method statements. For construction and commercial sites this documentation is available in advance for principal contractor review. Where required, we can produce formal lift plans, CAD drawings and Gantt charts for phased programmes.
5. Delivery - Our trained teams arrive with the right equipment, carry out the lift safely and position your item exactly where it needs to be. Competent supervision is maintained throughout.
6. Completion & Sign-Off - We confirm everything is in place, leave the site clean and tidy, and provide any completion documentation or handover records required.
Lifting Equipment We Use
Lifting Equipment We Use for Lift And Shift Work
We maintain a wide range of specialist equipment and select the right combination for each job. This means we are not limited to a single method - we can adapt our approach to suit the access conditions, the load and the environment.
Powered Stairclimbers - SANO LiftKar, PowerMate and AATA Stair Robot machines for moving heavy loads up and down stairs, handling items from 170 kg to 680 kg. Learn more about our powered stairclimbers.
Mini Crawler / Spider Cranes - Compact cranes that can access areas larger mobile cranes cannot reach, ideal for indoor lifting, rooftop work and restricted sites. Learn more about our spider crane service.
Lorry-Mounted Cranes (HIAB) - For loading, transport and placement in a single operation. Our vehicles range from transit vans to full size lorries with crane and ramp options. Learn more about our lorry crane service.
Hydraulic Jacks & Skates - Low-profile systems for moving very heavy items across flat ground with precision positioning. Ideal for plant rooms, machine shops and areas with limited headroom.
Gantry Hoisting & Scaffold Runway Systems - Custom-built gantry and runway systems for lifting and moving heavy items through complex internal routes. Can be configured to turn corners and allow load rotation. Learn more about our scaffold lifting service.
Material Lifts - Portable vertical lifting platforms for raising items between floors or onto elevated positions without crane access.
Glass Vacuum Lifters - Specialist vacuum handling equipment for safe lifting and positioning of glass panels, glazing units and similar fragile items. Learn more about our glass lifting service.
Forklifts & Telehandlers - For site-based lifting, loading and placement where ground conditions and access allow.
Machine Skates & Flat Ground Moving Systems - For controlled horizontal movement of heavy machinery and equipment across workshop and factory floors.
We can can create solutions to your lifting problems when one doesn't exist. We have fabricated a variety of custom solutions over the years to enable your project to be completed.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Lift And Shift Services
We maintain a wide range of specialist equipment and select the right combination for each job. This means we are not limited to a single method - we can adapt our approach to suit the access conditions, the load and the environment.
What is a lift and shift service?
lift and shift service is a specialist moving and positioning service for heavy, oversized or high-value items that cannot be safely handled using conventional removal methods. It involves purpose-built lifting equipment, trained operatives and formal safety planning including risk assessments and method statements.
How much does lift and shift cost?
Costs depend on the weight and dimensions of the item, the access conditions, the equipment required and the location. We provide clear, fixed-price quotations with no hidden charges. Contact us with details of your job for a fast quote.
What is the maximum weight you can lift and shift?
Using our full range of equipment, we regularly handle items in excess of 5,000 kg and have managed loads exceeding 100 tons on larger projects using combined lifting methods. For most standard lift and shift work, our capabilities cover items from a few hundred kilograms up to several tonnes.
Do you provide risk assessments and method statements?
Yes. Every lift and shift job is delivered with task-specific RAMS as standard. For construction and commercial sites, documentation can be produced in advance for principal contractor approval.
Can you work on live construction sites?
Yes. Our teams are CSCS accredited and experienced in working within CDM-managed environments alongside other trades. We integrate with principal contractor safety management systems and can attend site inductions and toolbox talks as required.
Do you cover the whole of the UK?
Yes. We are based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire and provide lift and shift services nationwide. We regularly work in London, the South West, the Midlands, Wales, the South East and beyond.
Can you work outside normal hours?
Yes. We regularly carry out lift and shift work during evenings, weekends and planned shutdowns to fit around building occupancy, production schedules or site programmes.
What is the difference between lift and shift and contract lifting?
Lift and shift typically refers to the physical handling, movement and positioning of items using specialist equipment and trained operatives. Contract lifting specifically involves crane-based operations carried out under a formal contract lift arrangement with appointed persons, lift supervisors and detailed lift plans. We provide both services