A homeowner may decide to install a home lift for convenience. It is particularly useful for helping seniors and people with mobility challenges. Before installing a home lift, it is important to understand the different types of home elevators, the cost of installation and maintenance, and the space available within the premises. Apart from this, it is also crucial to hire the right home renovation contractor and home lift installer.
Different types of home elevators and their cost
Home lifts are categorized based on their installation type and operating system.
Shaftless elevators
Shafts refer to the vertical enclosed space within which an elevator moves. As the name suggests, shaftless elevators do not require an enclosed space but move without it. Since a shaft contributes to a big chunk of an elevator’s cost, the price of shaftless elevators drops significantly. Shaftless elevators also do not require complex installation and can be set up in a few days.
The elevator company creates an opening between the two levels and installs elevator platforms and guide rails on the walls. A shaftless elevator travels up and down using guide rails fitted on the walls. Thus, the cost of installation and remodeling is reduced, making it an inexpensive home lift.
These are low-cost home elevators ranging from $15,000 to $30,000. Shaftless elevators are ideal for homes that have two floors. They are user-friendly, remote-operable, and can also be fitted with safety sensors and automatic doors.
Hydraulic elevators
These elevators operate on a simple mechanism. A hydraulic piston lifts the main cab, and gravity brings it down. While a dedicated enclosure for the lift to move is needed, it does not require a machine room, as the equipment can be placed in a basement or a spare space in the house. Without the cost of a machine room or high-end components, the cost of hydraulic home elevators comes down significantly. They range between $15,000 to $50,000.
Hydraulic lifts are popular in the country as the easy availability of spares also contributes to the factors that make them inexpensive home elevators. They are also energy efficient and require minimum maintenance. That said, hydraulic elevators are ideal for frequent use and higher load capacity and need more space than shaftless lifts.
Machine room-less elevators
This type of home lift operates with a controller and drive located in the hoistway. It is ideal for buildings with up to five floors but doesn’t have enough space for a machine room. The cost of machine room-less elevators ranges between $20,000 and $100,000, depending on the features, capacity, and travel distance.
Vacuum elevators or pneumatic elevators
These home lifts do not require a shaft, pit room, or machine room. They are easy to install and can rise to five floors. They also require minimum remodeling. The average cost of vacuum home lifts ranges between $59,000 and $100,000.
Traction elevators
These elevators work with a system of belts, ropes, and pulleys that lift a car that is connected to a cab and operated by a motor. The average cost of traction elevators ranges from $20,000 to $100,000.
Things to know before installing home elevators
The cost of home lifts depends on multiple factors like the type of elevator, number of floors, cab type and materials, location of the property, installation, and any luxury upgrades like wood finishes or automatic doors. A homeowner should get at least three estimates from different companies to make an informed decision. Apart from the actual cost of elevators, there are many other expenses associated with it that should be considered.
- Tax
- Shipping
- Installation
- Permits
- Architect fees
- Home remodeling or renovation
Popular home elevator brands
When looking for an affordable home lift, it is important not to compromise on the quality of material, features, and safety. Look at companies that have high ratings and reviews and little or zero record of malfunctions.
Stiltz Home Elevators
This is a leading brand with some of the most visually appealing home lifts. The Stiltz Trio Alta is a shaftless elevator model by the brand. It performs well and is energy-efficient.
Inclinator
The company produces cable and hydraulic lifts, including customized models to match the home. Their home lift range starts from $30,000.
Cambridge Elevating
The brand makes customized hydraulic home elevators that look like closets but are actually lifts. The Heritage is one of the most popular home elevators offered by the brand.
Nationwide Lifts
One of the most respected and highly rated home elevator brands in the country, Nationwide Lifts has about 11 types of home lift products. They make traction, cable, hydraulic, pneumatic, and shaftless types of home lifts.
AmeriGlide
The brand makes its elevators in the country and offers cable, hydraulic, and machine room-less home lifts. They also produce outdoor elevators.
Cibes Symmetry
Known to make customized hydraulic home elevators, their residential lifts are quite safe and made with high-quality material. They can make lifts that can go up to six floors.