What is the size and growth outlook for the US auto repair industry?

The U.S. auto mechanics industry is worth more than $68 billion in 2022 and has seen steady growth the past five years. The U.S. auto mechanics industry is projected to experience continued growth in the coming years and expand by more than 10% by 2026. As of early 2022, 264,121 auto mechanic businesses operated in the US. As of early 2022, the United States auto repair industry employed about 561,359 workers.

How Much Does a Car Lift Cost + Installation Prices

The article titled "How Much Does a Car Lift Cost + Installation Prices" by Zack Wade, published on March 21, 2025, provides detailed information on the costs and installation expenses associated with car lifts for auto repair shops, alongside related industry insights and resources.

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How Much Does a Car Lift Cost + Installation Prices

Zack Wade

March 21, 2025

Read time: 6 min

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Do you need a car lift?

Car lifts are essential in auto repair shops because they provide mechanics with better access to a vehicle’s undercarriage, making inspections, repairs, and maintenance tasks safer, more efficient, and more comfortable. Unlike floor jacks, lifts offer a stable and elevated workspace, reducing the risk of injuries and improving workflow.

With a car lift, technicians can quickly perform tasks such as oil changes, brake repairs, exhaust system work, and suspension adjustments without having to crawl under the vehicle. This efficiency leads to faster turnaround times and higher shop productivity.

Additionally, lifts help maximize shop space by allowing vertical storage for vehicles, which is especially useful in high-volume repair shops. Overall, car hoists are a fundamental investment for any auto repair shop looking to enhance efficiency, safety, and the quality of service provided to customers.

Types of car lifts and their costs

Each type of lift has its pros and cons. Some lifts are better for oil change shops and some are better for tire or repair shops. In general, car lifts can cost between $1,000 and $20,000 depending on brand, lift capacity, lift height, and features. Here’s a comprehensive look at the most common lift options for your shop.

An image comparing the cost of car lift types.

Two-Post car lifts

A two-post car lift is one of the most popular choices for auto repair shops. They are popular because they take up less space and can be affordable depending on features. Make sure to plan out your shop layout as these lifts are permanent and cannot be easily moved. These hoists come in asymmetric and symmetric configurations, allowing flexibility based on vehicle type.

Price: $3,000 - $10,000
Best For: General repair shops working on SUVs and smaller cars.
Lift capacity: 5,000 - 10,000 lbs.
Popular brands: BendPak, Rotary, Tuxedo.
Advantages: High lifting capacity while saving space for smaller shops.

Four-Post lifts

A four-post lift provides greater stability and weight capacity, making it ideal for heavier vehicles. If your shop works on a lot of trucks or heavy-duty vehicles, the four-post lift might be the best lift for you. Tire and brake shops should avoid these lifts as the tires sit on the lift making it difficult to work on these areas.

Price: $5,000 - $25,000
Best For: Dealerships and professional shops.
Lift capacity: 7,000 - 14,000 lbs.
Popular brands: BendPak, Titan, Tuxedo, Rotary.
Advantages: Heavier lifting capacity for larger vehicles.

Scissor lifts

If saving space is your top priority, the scissor lift may be your best option. They are almost invisible when not in use and lie flat on the ground to optimize garage space. Double check the lift capacity and height to make sure it can accommodate the types of vehicles you work on.

Price: $1,500 - $10,000
Best For: Quick repair shops where space is limited.
Lift capacity: 5,000 - 15,000 lbs.
Brands: QuickJack, BendPak, MaxJax
Advantages: Compact and cheaper.

In-Ground lifts

In-ground car lifts are a great choice for shops that work on heavier vehicles and want to save space. These lifts are the perfect balance of the space saving capabilities of a scissor lift while also providing optimal strength for large vehicles.

Price: $10,000 - $25,000
Best For: Repair shops and dealerships.
Lift capacity: 5,000 - 20,000 lbs.
Brands: BendPak, Rotary, Atlas
Advantages: Compact while also offering enough muscle.

Portable car lifts

If your shop layout frequently changes or you are a mobile mechanic, a portable lift may be the best option. These lifts can be easily moved around a garage or taken to a job site and are often the cheapest option. However, they can be less reliable and don’t provide the same level of strength as a stationary lift.

Price: $500 - $5,000
Best For: Home garages, mobile mechanics, DIY enthusiasts.
Lift capacity: 5,000 - 10,000 lbs.
Brands: QuickJack, MaxJax
Advantages: Affordable, compact, mobile.

Installation prices for car lifts

Installing a vehicle lift is not just about purchasing the unit. You also need to consider the installation costs, which can vary depending on the type of lift and garage setup. Here are the main factors affecting installation costs:

1. Concrete requirements

Most lifts, especially two-post car lifts and four-post lifts, require a thick concrete base. If your floor isn’t thick enough, you may need reinforcement, which adds to the cost.

2. Electrical setup

Lifts need power, and if your garage isn’t wired for it, you’ll need an electrician.

3. Air compressors & accessories

Some lifts require compressors and additional balancer tools for operation.

4. Professional installation

Hiring a pro ensures the lift is ALI-certified and meets safety regulations.

Choosing the right car lift for your auto repair shop

Each type of lift comes with its own advantages, making it important to choose the right one based on your needs. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

How big is your shop?
Which repair services do you offer?
What is your budget?
Does the lift offer a warranty?
Will you garage layout change over time?
How important is a car lift warranty to you?
How heavy will the vehicles you work on be?
What is the average review rating of the lift?
How easy or hard is the lift to install?
How much will the maintenance cost?

Final thoughts

Installing a vehicle lift in your auto repair shop is a smart investment. Whether you choose a two-post car lift, scissor lifts, or portable lift, knowing the lift cost and installation costs upfront can help you budget wisely. Whatever you choose, ensure it’s ALI-certified for safety and performance. Lastly, don’t forget about regular maintenance and safety inspections to ensure your lift continues to run for many years.

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FAQ

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One of the most challenging parts of being a service advisor is building trust with drivers. Many drivers already feel apprehensive about spending money on repairs, but you’re still tasked with letting them know exactly what’s wrong with their car. And sometimes, that means identifying more issues than they were expecting.

At Tekmetric, we’ve heard a lot of great tricks of the trade from service advisors like you. And we’ve designed Tekmetric with many of these insights in mind. By leveraging Tekmetric’s capabilities, you can more effectively upsell, cross-sell, and reach more customers—and see your shop’s ARO and gross profits rise.

Here are the best auto repair shop software features within Tekmetric to help you flourish in your role.

Thought Leadership

The Best Auto Repair Shop Software Features Increasing Shop Profitability

July 20, 2023

Read time: 1 min

With just the right tools for the job, every repair can be so much easier. There's a reason some car manufacturers produce their own unique tools, and while they might seem unnecessary, they can turn hours into seconds.

Even so much as a proprietary socket with a unique angle to remove an oil drain plug tucked right up against the subframe, as silly as it may seem, is worth the extra little investment. The adage still rings true, that ultimately time is money -- saving time keeps your shop running like a well-oiled, rear-midengined dry-sump V8.

Running an independent auto shop requires the right tools, and not just the right impact wrenches or the right alignment rack.

The right shop management system can revolutionize the way your shop runs, from the moment customers call or walk in, to receiving payments and getting vehicles back on the road.

Learn why Tekmetric is the right tool for the job for shop management from some of the brilliant minds behind the revolution:

The Biggest Benefits of The Right Shop Management System

Enhanced Customer Experience: Put your customers first with a suite of features that allows you to easily communicate to build the trust needed to run a successful repair shop. Simplified operations in your shop naturally lead to improved customer service.

Higher Efficiency: Save time on manual tasks with a set of features that allows you to run your shop the way you see fit with easy-to-build automation, custom RO labels, and templates across the shop. Focus on the customer, and not a computer screen.

Shop Management

Why Tekmetric is The Right Tool for Shop Management

February 29, 2024

Read time: 2 min

Although our goal is to help you determine the best ways you can enhance your auto repair shop profit margin, we’re still going to shoot straight with you: opening a shop isn’t easy. You’re going to have to put in some hard work, but exceeding your goals will be well worth it. Along the way you’ll learn new things through trial and error and encounter some unexpected challenges, but who doesn’t when they step outside of their comfort zone, pursuing something they’re passionate about?

One question you may have is, "Is it even a good time to start an auto repair business?" That's a tricky question to answer. Coming off the heels of a pandemic in an economy that has seen better times might scare any new business owner. But remember, some of the most long-standing businesses were started during economic recessions.

Although there’s been better times to start an auto repair business, your shop can still be successful. And it’s clear that the demand for automotive repairs isn't going anywhere.

Take a look at these statistics on the latest automotive repair trends:

1.In 2022, there will be an estimated 76 million vehicles aged 16 years or older in the United States.
2.It’s estimated that by 2022, 18% of American households will use an auto repair service at least once a year.
3.The number of vehicles on the road that are 12 years or older is anticipated to increase by 15%.
4.In the past decade, the average length of time that drivers own their automobiles has increased by 60%.

As you can see, the need for vehicle repairs will likely increase due to the fact that drivers are choosing to stick to their trusty ol’ vehicles rather than opting for a shinier new ride. But regardless of whether the auto repair industry’s profit trends are growing or plateauing, making smart business decisions will not only prepare your shop for future transformation but also help your shop survive disruptive trends in the future.

Let’s get to boosting your shop’s short and long-term profits.

We’ve listed each of these tactics in the order you should take during each of your business growth phases: the seed stage, the start-up stage, the established stage, or the expansion stage. The order of these 10 tactics does not determine their importance; each tactic complements one another to put your shop in the fast lane to success.

Fast Facts

‍ Industry size and past growth : The U.S. auto mechanics industry is worth more than $68 billion in 2022 and has seen steady growth the past five years. ‍
Growth forecast : The U.S. auto mechanics industry is projected to experience continued growth in the coming years and expand by more than 10% by 2026.
‍ Number of businesses : As of early 2022, 264,121 auto mechanic businesses operated in the US.
‍ Number of people employed : As of early 2022, the United States auto repair industry employed about 561,359 workers.