Residential lifts/elevators

[Clipper]

I'm currently looking at buying a two-story house that will require a lift/elevator to get me from one level to another. I'd like to hear from people who have installed vertical platform lifts or elevators in their homes. Brands, costs, funding, lessons learned, advice, etc. A lift that moves along the stairs will not work because of the staircase design. Thanks in advance.

[Cappy]

The elevator I have installed in my home is a Minivator by Access Industries. This operates with a motor and cable (not hydralic).

http://www.accessind.com/elevators.html

Lesson learned:
FIND A REALLY RELIABLE CONTRACTOR AND STAY ON TOP OF THEM.
The track that my elevator rides on is cut to a specific height. Therefore, you really need to pay attention to the building plans of the elevator and the plans of your remodel. The most important thing is the thickness of the floor of your second story. I think that it requires a 1 ft floor. If you floor is greater (as mine was) extra retrofitting will need to be done to the ceiling and floor. You will also need to reinforce your walls. I used 4x6 posts. So that baby ain't going anywhere. You will need to run electrical for a connection to the motor (which would be located about 1ft from the second story ceiling).
Cost for this was about $23,000 installed.

Hydralic elevators will run you about $50,000+. Very important to determine if you have a post tension foundation. The sump is usually required to be in the floor and you will need to build a shaft. The inclinator did not require this (foundation cut or shaft).

Hope this helps ya a little.

Cappy

[Clipper]

Thanks Cappy! Just the kind of info I was looking for.

[Shannon]

I had an elevator put in my last house. I don't remember the brand. Cost was $30,000. Took two guys about 3 months to put it in. I get claustrophobic and so I had them put glass doors on. It was pretty cool. Lesson learned - get a one level house! I figured I would be in that house forever, so why not spend the money for an elevator so that I could get to the upstairs and the basement. 2 years later I got a divorce and had to move. Having an elevator in your home decreases the resale value. Having that thing put in was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I'm wishing I had that $30,000 now! If, however, money isn't an issue, then I suppose there is no reason to not get one. Now I live in a one level house and I like it much better. Just my experience of course.

[Clipper]

Originally posted by Beaker:

I had an elevator put in my last house. I don't remember the brand. Cost was $30,000. Took two guys about 3 months to put it in. I get claustrophobic and so I had them put glass doors on. It was pretty cool. Lesson learned - get a one level house! I figured I would be in that house forever, so why not spend the money for an elevator so that I could get to the upstairs and the basement. 2 years later I got a divorce and had to move. Having an elevator in your home decreases the resale value. Having that thing put in was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I'm wishing I had that $30,000 now! If, however, money isn't an issue, then I suppose there is no reason to not get one. Now I live in a one level house and I like it much better. Just my experience of course.


Beaker,

The house I'm looking at is in Portland. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif We've looked at TONS of homes, and single-level would certainly be my preference. But single-level homes are not abundant in the area we desire, unless we go for something tiny. Thanks much for your input.

[Shannon]

Ah, well I'm guessing you are looking at homes in older neighborhoods. That was my problem when I bought my first house. I really wanted a home that was built in around the 20s but all the houses that were big enough were not one level. Then after my divorce, I was okay with a smaller house and I found a one level that built in 1924. It's only 900 square feet though.

So if you are looking in Portland, I'd like to recommend Dave Bearson of Bearson Enterprises. Hmmm, I was just looking up their phone number in the phone book and I'm not finding it. I'll look into it further and get back to you. They are the people who put mine in and they're very nice, and I think they did an excellent job.

[Curt Leatherbee]

They do make stair chair lifts that run on a track and go around corners. Certainly a lot cheaper than an elevator or lift. I think I paid $3500.00 for mine about ten years ago, I believe http://www.chair-lift.com/products/stair_lifts/stair_glide/stairway_glide.htm.
The only problem is 1) you have to transfer on and off it 2) you have to have another wheelchair at the top of the stairs. The newer ones have a battery backup too so that if the power goes off you are not screwed. Happened to me once when I was halfway up the stairs. Had to jump off the lift and climb up the rest of the stairs on my ass.

I agree with with Beaker, try real hard to find a ranch, it makes life much more simple and less expensive and less to go wrong. You always have to worry about lifts breaking down.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[Shannon]

I found his business card Clipper. It's Dave Bearson Const./Enterprises, Inc. Specializing in building and modifications for the disabled. 503-233-6422. Ask for Dave or Ken.

I interviewed about 3 other places and I liked them the best. It was about 5 years ago that they put it in, but if you tell them Shannon from off of 36th and Hawthorne recommended them, they'd probably remember me. The people who bought my house didn't need the elevator, but they said they were going to leave it. I'm guessing they'd let you take a look at it if you were interested. Just send me an email if you'd like to try to arrange that.

Let me know if I can be of any other help.

[Clipper]

To Beaker:

Bearson is the company that came out today to prepare an estimate! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif Yeah, 900 would be too tiny for us. We have 1350 now and are cramped. Thanks for getting that info!

To Curtis:

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I cannot transfer myself, and the staircase spirals and cannot be relocated without excessive cost. Ranch homes cannot be found in this particular part of the city, so I'm locked in with a two-level home. This particular house won't require much more than the lift.

[chasb]

Try phoning American Lifts...I believe they are listed in the 800-555-1212 toll free directory.

[Cappy]

Oh and on the subject of $$$$.... you should know that adding ANY kind of lift ro your home is tax deductible IF you can show a medical need. (At least that's what my Mother-In-Law (CPA) says). We did take a deduction for the cost of the elevator. (Can't remember if just elevator cost or the Whole cost)

[Chris Chappell]

Clipper. Sorry I didn't see this post earlier.

I have an elevator (platform lift) in my home from www.concordelevator.com (http://www.concordelevator.com) It was installed last year for a total cost of roughly $15,000 (yes, it is deductible as medical necessity).

My story is as follows. Injured 06/00. Home was previously a two story. Sold two story and bought a ranch style. Finished the basement last winter but only had access via stair chair. Stair chair was very solid but difficult to use. Checked with contractor about where I could put the "elevator" (platform lift). There were about three choices due to plumbing / electrical specs.

Essentially, from what I remember, the shaft had to be at least 53" deep and 53" wide (about 5'x5'). I used a closet in my study and knocked out the floor (If you're going up in a two story you can knock out the ceiling). Then 2x4 studs reinforced the shaft. Then had to knock out the concrete in the basement (talk about dust) because the unit, in order to be flush with the ground, needs about a 6" depth.

Platform lift (cable pull) was then installed by two guys (outstanding subcontractors)in two and 1/2 days. Its flawless, extremely solid.

My guy is based in Chicago and CO. He travels nationally or has other contacts. He's very meticulous (good thing). If you'd like his name and number e-mail me at c.d.chappell@worldnet.att.net or call me @ (w) 800-965-3028 ext.644

Hope this helps. Good luck.

P.S. When I looked originally, before I knew anything, the estimate on my two story was about $45,000 for a fully enclosed unit. I highly recommend trying to find something like the closet idea when shopping for your home because it will hide the unit well and offers a predetermined space / area so you don't have to create one.

Fortitudine Vincimus
(Through endurance we conquer)

[scott7065]

Bump

We are finalizing our plans for a house. It is going to have an elevator to access 3 floors (basement, 1st, and 2nd). I was wondering what Brands/models people might recomend. Some key features would be reliability/safety, quiet, easy to push buttons, attractivte.

Also, if anyone knows of any online resources with elevator reviews.

-Scott

[andrew]

I had a lift put in for A$30,000. About $20,000 US at the time. It is hydraulic. Two floors.
Had no problems.
http://www.homelift.com.au/

Andrew http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Welcome to the party pal!
Bruce Willis, Diehard

[CLC379]

i used the mast off the front of a forklift, put an electric over hydraulic pump on and welded cage on. cheap works great

[kate]

We have a Concord Elevator Handilift-S-48, which is a platform deal bought used for $4,400 . . .the guy who sold it to us promised to buy it back again when we no longer need it . . . we wanted one made by Mac's (www.macslift.com (http://www.macslift.com)) because it was simpler and cheaper, but the Washington state code wouldn't allow it--something about bureaucratic elevator rules.