where to get elevator [Archive]

dmm

03-02-2009, 10:41 PM

I have a Otis elevator. They have residential sizes but a got one just a little larger so that Mike and the 2 dogs could be in it with me. The contractor built everything around it and then Otis came in and installed it. They have a service plan where they come and do check ups on it and 24/7 emergency service. We have been very happy with it. Cost depends on the number of stops you want.

ChesBay

03-02-2009, 11:30 PM

It might depend on where you live. I think indoor elevators have become much more common over the years and will continue to do so because of aging demographics. If you are in a fairly densely populated area you might start looking locally.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=finding+residential+elevators&aq=f&oq=

suncameout

03-02-2009, 11:38 PM

cost depends on the features and cab size. usually the shaft or the enclosed area where the elevator needs to be installed is a separate cost.

i got one from http://www.savariaconcord.com/products.htm the prolift voyager model. pretty decent cab size of 35" x 60". i could fit 2 people in it with me, and i'm in an electric wheelchair. i have been using it for 2 yrs and hasn't broken down once.

with this particular company, installation time depends on the dealer. the dealer on my area took several months before they came and install the elevator. maybe this won't be the case if you're in the US, and maybe i just got screwed because i had this installed outside of US.

hey dmm, how often is maintenance done on your elevator? how much are they charging you? i'm paying around $80 bucks for a monthly maintenance... am i getting rip-off?

RAFS

03-02-2009, 11:44 PM

whos best to hire to build a private residential elevator in a house?
any company's in particular...price range?
how long this usually takes...
FreedomDan,
Please fill out your profile so that others know who they are speaking to.
Thanks !

momo3

03-03-2009, 11:28 AM

We installed a National-Wheel-O-Vator elevator in our home. It stops at three levels, has automatic doors, opens front way depending on which floor you are on. It cost between 45,000 and 50,000 dollars. That was just the elevator installation and elevator. They are not cheap.

arndog

03-03-2009, 11:58 AM

I have an Inclinator elevator. I am happy with it.
Suncomeout - that sounds like a lot of maintainance. Mine is 2 visits a year - each costing 100 dollars.
Ours has 2 doors, one opens in one direction and on the other floor opens 90 degrees to the side. Mine is rated to 350 lbs , so I weigh 150, and it can take me and the 2 dogs upstairs.
Installed a phone in the cab in case one got stuck.
The whole venture is a medical tax deduction remember. That goes for maintainence too.
Oh - I had the elevator people choose the contractor that they like to work with to make the shaft. I think that is important since the shaft has to be plumb.

smokey

03-03-2009, 01:15 PM

I don't have an elevator in my house but I wish I did. My sense is that it would be very expensive, I don't think I'd get my money back when we sell the house and there's really no subtle location where to put it. You should check with your state disability commission to see about low/no interest loans for HP home elevators. Anyway, check out this elevator, it looks very cool to me and one model can accomodate most wheelchair sizes; http://www.vacuumelevators.com/

AKBauer

03-03-2009, 01:43 PM

We have a Cambridge elevator that we added on to the house. It was very expensive (we live in Alaska) - the shaft had to be built to the same R factor as the house for heat purposes, had to meet earthquake codes etc. We also installed a 20kw generator as well since we deal with frequent power outages. While we don't have a service company here in town, over the phone Cambridge has been outstanding working with local contractors. They also came up here and installed it.

JohnGL

03-03-2009, 05:13 PM

Since an elevator can be rather expensive, another option is an Incline Platform Lift. These use a track system, which runs the distance of the staircase. The platform comes in different sizes and when not in use folds up, so the stairs can still be used.

The advantage is that this option will likely cost less than an elevator and requires less modification to the home.
However, they require a larger staircase, so might not be suited for residential staircases.

There are several manufacturers, which offer different sized lifts. There are models available that can be used with curved or straight staircases as well.

suncameout

03-03-2009, 09:17 PM

They have a service plan where they come and do check ups on it and 24/7 emergency service.

how often and how much do you pay for maintenance?

We installed a National-Wheel-O-Vator elevator in our home. It stops at three levels, has automatic doors, opens front way depending on which floor you are on. It cost between 45,000 and 50,000 dollars. That was just the elevator installation and elevator. They are not cheap.

wow! is that just the elevator or including the shaft? mine did not cost near as yours but with only 2-stops and manual doors. still, must be a very nice one for that price. if you don't mind me asking, how often and how much do you pay for maintenance?

- that sounds like a lot of maintainance. Mine is 2 visits a year - each costing 100 dollars.

i know it. the thing is they're the only dealer in my whole country and they told me that if i don't participate in their maintenance program that they will not fix my elevator when it breaks down. it's a load of crap but i can't do anything since they're the only one that can really fix it. :mad:

Isdale25

03-04-2009, 12:10 AM

I have this, the KONE EcoSpace Low Rise. It's commercial grade and probably overkill for most residential applications but at the time we were doing this, it was the natural choice as we were extensively familiar with the product, support staff, installation and warranty concerns. As I said, although overkill it's probably the single best model on the market for any low-rise elevator and it takes up very little space, plus they last for ever.

http://www.kone.com/countries/en_US/Elevators/EcoSpace/Pages/default.aspx

dmm

03-04-2009, 12:18 AM

Maintenance is high. The elevator is big. It is really a commercial one. When we did the addition we figured we would never do this again so we got the larger elevator. The house is on a hill. So the basement to first floor has a half stop between which is ground level. There is also another half stop between the first and second floor. Than the 3rd or attic floor. This is going to sound like I lost my mind but it is rated for 15 people or 2500 pounds. But, with 2 of us and 2 big dogs plus I always have something going from one floor to another there is not much room left over. Maintence is $1,800.00 a year. They keep it up, keep the parts cleaned and oiled, and come very fast the few times I had to call. Usually it is something very small that I call for. I have it 7 years and no real problems. It is high because it is considered commercial because of the size - they had even discounted the maintence fee because it does not have the heavy use of a commercial elevator in a business. For a regular home size one the fee is much less.

momo3

03-04-2009, 12:05 PM

I think that was including the shaft too. I am not sure what we pay for a maintenece. They have only been here once or twice. I have automatic doors with it.

arndog

03-06-2009, 03:29 PM

Wow, there are some honkin' big elevators out there. Mine is rated to 350 lbs max.

quadfather

03-13-2009, 01:56 PM

I got a quote for $40k installed. By the way that vacuum elevator sucks (or maybe it blows)

Big Tuna

05-16-2009, 08:08 PM

I am going with Homelift of America, they have been awesome in the design process. We got to tour the factory and try out the controls & options & different sizes. Since they manufacture/install/service they make it your size and finish choices! Cost installed is going to be around $31 k for 3 stops and a power door.

http://www.homeliftofamerica.com/index.html

Foolish Old

05-17-2009, 01:41 AM

I have a Custom brand elevator (http://www.customelevatorinc.com/). (listed under products in Big Tuna's link) It has been very reliable. The cab is rated for 750 lbs. I don't keep a maintenance contract. I have my installer send his guys out for routine maintenance every couple years - $250. The few minor troubles I have had got troubleshooted over the phone. I am going with Homelift of America, they have been awesome in the design process. We got to tour the factory and try out the controls & options & different sizes. Since they manufacture/install/service they make it your size and finish choices! Cost installed is going to be around $31 k for 3 stops and a power door.

http://www.homeliftofamerica.com/index.html

Big Tuna

05-17-2009, 12:10 PM

Foolish Old

05-17-2009, 02:00 PM

Four - five years old. To be clear, a $1,000 annual maintenance contract was offered.

I'm glad your's has been reliable and the upkeep is cheap! How old is your elevator?

Tim C.

05-18-2009, 07:58 PM

bought the works with it (figured it to be last time I'd buy one, having suffered with stairlifts for 5yrs)
I could post a checklist on seperate thread if anyone thought it helpful???
fyi, i spent-
$38 + cab finish.
being c4/5 i needed to make it easy so i spoiled myself.

loreo

05-25-2009, 06:55 PM

That Vacuum elevators looks great!

Skogy

03-20-2010, 08:44 AM

Hello all. My first post, foun this site a few days ago.

Here is my elevator. Been using it for 17 years now, with zero problems. It has a CM chain hoist (500 used on eBay in 2003), it had a new chain hoist in 1993 but my step-dad sold it(long story).

The platform was $275, materials and shop time.

Had to put in a wider door in closet, $200.

My cousin is a contractor and put in the door and cut the hole in floor for me, tried to pay him but he said it was a wedding gift. That was cool.

Then had him and a few friends installed the rest, all done on a Sat.

It took about a year to trust it as there are no safety features. Had the hoist maintained and after talking with the technician on the theory of operation I have no worries on it failing (dropping me to floor)

The bar holding hoist is a solid 1-1/4" shaft, that isn't going anywhere.

The columns are 6x6 steel going from basement floor to ceiling.

Simple, cheap and works pretty slick for less than a grand.

Rustyjames

03-20-2010, 09:38 AM

Skogy,

What's the safety chain for, you don't trust the welds? (j/k)

I like it, nice design. Do you have a plan in case there's a power failure, or the hoist goes kaput while you're on it?

Skogy

03-20-2010, 09:50 AM

MSWIFE1

03-20-2010, 10:57 AM

We bought a brand new 8 ft. porch lift off of ebay that a contractor had ordered wrong, removed our stairs, boxed it in like a closet and installed it in there. Me, my dad and my brother in law done it. It is an Ameriglide. We have had it for 2 or 3 years now. No problems. Its a little noisy but gets the job done. David, me and our dog can get on it, its tight though. I think I paid around $5000 for it and installation cost me a big pot of chili. :)

suncameout

03-20-2010, 08:20 PM

Yeah, chains are overprotective dad. I was going to take them off but then thought "you never know"

Just carry a cell phone in case it does happen. I did lose power a few times(tripped breaker), just yelled for wife to flip breaker. now it is on its own circuit so no problems since.

I alway head to basement early during tornado warnings. That would suck to be heading down and lose power.

what happens when the power goes out while you're in it? will it just stop and leave you in the middle, or will it drop to the basement?

awesome diy... all it needs is a cab to make it look like the real thing.

Skogy

03-21-2010, 02:42 PM

It will just stop if power goes out.

The way the chain hoist is designed it has magnets that holds gears from running and locks it up tight. When you push button to raise or lower the electricity pulls the magnets away from gears allowing it to work. Power goes out, hoist locks tight.