What does a Backyard Buddy lift cost? Honestly, it depends on which model — and right now, on whether you can even see a live price. Backyard Buddy (now sold under the Real Garage Life brand) is a USA-made, freestanding four-post lift built in Warren, Ohio, so it sits above imported four-post lifts on price. This page lays out every model’s last-verified price with its date, flags where no current published price exists, and breaks down what actually drives the total cost of ownership. We don’t invent numbers — where there’s no reliable data, we say so.
Backyard Buddy & Advantage price table (with verification dates)
Prices are copied verbatim from verified sources with the date each was confirmed. “Live” = confirmed on realgaragelife.com on the date shown. “Archived” = last captured price, older, not a current quote. “No data” = no reliable published price found.
| Model | Code | Capacity | Price status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | B-4P7CL | 7,000 lb | ~$6,995 (Car Lift Lab sibling listing) | Reference figure — confirm current |
| Classic Extra Tall | B-4P7XT | 7,000 lb | Live ~$7,495 on realgaragelife.com (archived $6,495 in Jan 2025) | Live, August 2026 |
| Wide Buddy | B-4P8WB | 8,000 lb | No current published price (RGL URL password-gated). Do not use Multi-Lift’s price as a proxy. | No live data, Aug 2026 |
| Multi-Lift | — | 8,000 lb | Verify with manufacturer | — |
| Side-by-Side | B-SXS-10000 | 10,000 lb | $11,995 (archived); Advantage-era SXS-10000 archived at $8,295 | Archived |
| Big Buddy | B-4P8BB | 8,000 lb | Discontinued. Last MSRP $7,495 before discontinuation (Feb 2025, archival only — not a used-market price) | Archived MSRP |
| Workforce | B-4P8WF | 8,000 lb* | Discontinued. New-purchase reference: 3 units @ $5,245 new in 2018 (not a current or used-market price) | Archived ref |
| Advantage AL-SF10 | AL-SF10 | 10,000 lb | $2,995 sale (reg $3,995), archived Jan 2025. No live price — appears legacy/discontinued | Archived |
| Advantage ML-2000 | ML-2000 | 2,000 lb | $2,995 archived Jan 2025. No live price — legacy | Archived |
*Workforce capacity is disputed (manual lists 8,000 lb; an older page listed 7,000 lb) — Verify with manufacturer.
The honest picture: several models have no current price
We want to be straight with you: only the Classic Extra Tall B-4P7XT had a confirmable live price (about $7,495, verified August 2026). The current Wide Buddy and Multi-Lift are confirmed as current models but their pages are gated, so we won’t publish a made-up number. The two discontinued four-post models (Big Buddy and Workforce) have only archival MSRP or old new-purchase references — and essentially no reliable used-market sales data, which we cover in depth in the used Backyard Buddy buyer’s guide.
What drives the price differences between models
- Capacity: 7,000 lb (Classic, Extra Tall) is cheaper than 8,000 lb (Wide Buddy, Multi-Lift, Big Buddy, Workforce). The 10,000 lb Side-by-Side is the top of the range because it’s a double-wide, two-vehicle platform.
- Size and steel: Wider tracks and taller columns (Extra Tall, Wide Buddy) mean more material. The Side-by-Side uses 5″×5″ columns and a 192″ runway — far more steel than a single-car lift.
- Height option: The Extra Tall commands a premium over the standard Classic for the added lift height.
- Generation: The Side-by-Side jumped from an archived ~$8,295 (Advantage era) to ~$11,995 (current) across generations — a reminder that archived prices can badly understate today’s cost.
Total cost of ownership — budget beyond the sticker
The lift price is only part of the spend. Plan for these:
- Shipping / freight: These are heavy machines — the Extra Tall ships at about 1,935 lb, the Big Buddy around 2,584 lb, the Side-by-Side heavier still. Expect LTL freight to a commercial dock or a lift-gate/residential surcharge, plus the logistics of getting a 13–17′ crate off the truck. Confirm freight before you commit.
- Unloading & install: You’ll typically want a forklift to unload, and runways can weigh 300–500 lb each. Assembly is realistically a 3–4 person job (or an engine hoist for the runways). Budget for help or a pro install if you’re not equipped.
- Electrical: Most four-post models run on 120V/20A standard with an optional 240V power unit; the AL-SF10 two-post needs 240V/20A/1PH. Factor in a dedicated circuit if you don’t already have one.
- Hydraulic fluid: Four-post lifts use AW-32 hydraulic fluid — roughly 3–4 gallons for a four-post — plus periodic top-ups.
- Accessories: Rolling jacks, drip trays, casters, and extra ramps add up. Confirm which accessories fit your exact model (Verify with manufacturer for cross-compatibility on discontinued units).
- Concrete: The four-post models are freestanding (not anchored), which can save on slab prep — but the AL-SF10 two-post needs 4″ @ 3,500 PSI and the ML-2000 single-post must be anchored. See our 4-inch concrete rule guide.
Why USA-made costs more than an imported lift
Backyard Buddy four-post lifts are built in Warren, Ohio, and that’s the honest reason they list higher than budget imports. Domestic manufacturing means higher labor and steel costs, but it also typically means better parts availability, a real warranty channel, and heavier-gauge construction. The line carries a 5-year limited warranty on the models we could confirm. If you’re weighing USA-made against a cheaper import, compare total cost of ownership and warranty support — our best four-post car lifts guide puts these side by side with other brands.
Should you buy new or used?
If a live price and full 5-year warranty matter to you, buying new is the safer path — especially since used pricing for the discontinued Big Buddy and Workforce is essentially unknowable from public data. If you’re set on used, read the inspection checklist and fair-value guidance in our used Backyard Buddy buyer’s guide before you hand over any money. For the full model breakdown and specs, see the Backyard Buddy lift lineup.