A two post hoist costs $3,500 to $8,000 for the unit and $1,500 to $4,000 installed and commissioned, so budget $6,000 to $12,000 all in. Financed over five years that is roughly $125 to $250 a month. Over three years, roughly $190 to $380. The installation is the part most quotes leave out.
The short version
- The hoist itself is rarely the whole cost. Slab work, installation, electrical and commissioning routinely add 40 to 70 per cent to the unit price.
- A two post hoist is cheaper and takes less floor space. A four post is dearer but handles wheel alignment work and heavier vehicles.
- Your concrete slab decides whether a two post hoist is even an option. Most require a minimum thickness and strength, and retrofitting a slab is expensive.
- Hoists are financeable as equipment because they hold resale value and have an active second-hand market.
- Commissioning and compliance inspection is not optional and should be in the quote you finance, not paid separately out of cash.
What does a workshop hoist actually cost?
| Hoist type | Unit cost | Installation and commissioning | Realistic total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two post, 4 tonne | $3,500 to $8,000 | $1,500 to $4,000 | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Four post, 4 tonne | $5,000 to $12,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 | $7,500 to $15,500 |
| Four post with alignment kit | $9,000 to $18,000 | $2,000 to $4,500 | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| Scissor lift, mid-rise | $4,000 to $10,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 | $5,500 to $13,000 |
| Heavy vehicle hoist, 8 tonne plus | $15,000 to $45,000 | $5,000 to $15,000 | $22,000 to $60,000 |
The middle column is the one that gets underestimated. A two post hoist bolts directly into the slab and transfers the entire load through those anchor points, which means the concrete underneath has to be up to it. If it is not, you are cutting out and repouring a section of floor before the hoist arrives.
Add electrical if there is no suitable three phase or single phase supply near the bay, and add commissioning, which is a required step rather than an optional one.
Two post or four post: which should you finance?
They are not really competitors. They do different work.
A two post lifts by the chassis, leaving the wheels hanging free. That is what you want for brake work, suspension, tyres and anything involving the wheels coming off. It uses less floor area and costs less. It also demands more of your slab, because all the load goes through two baseplates.
A four post lifts the vehicle on its own wheels via runways. It is the right choice for wheel alignment, exhaust and underbody work, and general servicing where the wheels stay on. It spreads load across four posts so slab requirements are less severe, and it can double as storage parking. It costs more and takes more room.
Most single-bay workshops start with a two post. Workshops adding alignment as a service line add a four post rather than replacing the two post.
What does the slab requirement mean in practice?
This is the question that decides the whole project, and it is worth answering before you get finance approved rather than after.
Two post hoists typically specify a minimum slab thickness and concrete strength, and the manufacturer's installation manual is the authority on the exact figures for that model. Common requirements sit around 150mm of reinforced concrete at a specified strength, cured, with a minimum distance from any expansion joint or slab edge.
If you are in a leased tenancy, this becomes a landlord conversation as well as an engineering one. Cutting and repouring a slab is a structural alteration. Get it agreed in writing before you order.
Where the slab is not compliant and cannot be economically upgraded, a four post hoist is often the answer, because it distributes load rather than concentrating it.
Worked repayments at three and five years
The figures below are illustrations at an indicative 9 per cent per annum on a fully amortising equipment facility. Your actual rate will depend on the lender, your trading history and the asset. They are here to show the shape of the decision, not to quote you.
| Amount financed | Over 3 years | Total repaid | Over 5 years | Total repaid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | around $254 a month | around $9,150 | around $166 a month | around $9,960 |
| $12,000 | around $382 a month | around $13,750 | around $249 a month | around $14,940 |
| $20,000 | around $636 a month | around $22,900 | around $415 a month | around $24,900 |
The five year term costs roughly $800 to $2,000 more in total on these amounts, and frees up around $115 to $220 a month while you are paying it.
For a hoist, the longer term is usually the sensible choice. A well-maintained hoist works for fifteen years or more, so a five year term is still short relative to the asset's life, and the monthly difference is close to the labour value of a single job.
Can you finance the installation as well as the hoist?
Yes, and you should try to.
Lenders will generally fund the delivered and commissioned cost of the asset rather than just the unit price, provided it is on one supplier invoice. Where the installer is a separate business to the equipment supplier, some lenders will still fund both and some will not.
The practical move is to ask your supplier for a single quote covering supply, delivery, installation and commissioning. That one piece of paperwork is the difference between financing $11,000 and financing $8,000 while finding $3,000 in cash.
Slab remediation is harder. It is building work on someone else's property, so it usually sits outside equipment finance and needs to come from working capital or a term loan.
What will a lender want to know?
For an asset of this size the process is generally light.
- The supplier quote, ideally including installation.
- Your ABN and how long you have been trading.
- Basic financials, though many lenders will approve amounts at this level on a low-documentation basis for established businesses.
New hoists from recognised suppliers are straightforward to finance with no deposit for a business with trading history. Used hoists bought privately are harder, because the lender has to verify title and there may be an existing security interest registered against the asset.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a two post car hoist?
Installation and commissioning typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 on top of the unit price, assuming the existing slab is compliant. If the slab needs cutting and repouring, add several thousand more.
Can I finance a workshop hoist with no deposit?
For a new hoist from a recognised supplier, with a business that has trading history, no-deposit equipment finance is commonly available. Used and privately sold hoists usually attract a deposit.
What slab do I need for a two post hoist?
Requirements vary by model, but a reinforced concrete slab of around 150mm at a specified strength is a common minimum, with clearance requirements from joints and edges. The manufacturer's installation manual for your specific hoist is the authority.
Is a used workshop hoist worth financing?
It can be, but check two things: whether the model is still supported for parts, and whether there is an existing security interest registered against it. Private sales take longer to settle than dealer purchases because the lender has to verify both.
How long can I finance a hoist for?
Terms of three to seven years are common. Given a well-maintained hoist has a working life well beyond that, the longer terms are usually a reasonable match rather than a stretch.
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