Home elevator installation is an exciting but sometimes complicated process. You’ll have plenty of factors to consider and questions you’ll want to answer. How much space is needed for an elevator? How long does home elevator installation take? How often does your new elevator need maintenance? The following checklist will help you stay organized and on-task as you choose, install, and use your new home elevator.
Planning for Your New Home Elevator
How you prepare for your new elevator is extremely important and best done with the advice of an experienced home elevator installer. Depending on your home’s size and layout, you may need to retrofit your house for the new elevator or be limited to a specific type of elevator, such as a shaftless, pitless, or machine room-less elevator. Here are a few questions you’ll need to answer when considering a home elevator:
- Why do you want a home elevator? Are you solving a current mobility issue, planning to age in place, or hoping to improve your home value?
- What is your home elevator budget?
- Will your needs change in the future, and if so, what kind of elevator will you need?
- What type of home elevator do you want?
- What customizable features do you want, and how much will they cost?
Pre-installation Considerations
Prior to home elevator installation you should have answers to the following questions:
- Which contractor will you use?
- Where will the elevator be located? Do you have space for a machine room and elevator pit?
- Do you have the necessary permits for the installation?
- Which building and safety codes will the installation need to meet?
- How long will the installation take?
- Will there be areas of the home that are off-limits during elevator installation?
Home Elevator Installation Checklist
Your home elevator dealer will take care of most aspects of the installation, which generally takes between four to six weeks from the point where you order the elevator. This installation checklist will help you better understand what’s involved in a house elevator installation, so you can communicate clearly with the contractor:
- All electrical requirements must be met before installation starts.
- Hoistways should be square, plumb, and built to specified dimensions.
- All wood frame blocking needs to meet relevant building code requirements.
- Elevator pits must be at least eight inches deep.
- Elevator pits must be able to withstand the impact load required of your chosen elevator.
- Machine rooms are typically four feet by four feet unless local codes specify otherwise.
- All necessary safety measures must be met during installation.
- Elevator gates must be four inches or less from the landing door facing the elevator shaft.
- House elevators must have active phone lines installed. Telecommunication requirements must be met before installation begins.
Home Elevator Maintenance
Cleaning your elevator will keep the cab and other user-facing elements looking great for years, but you should leave the care and maintenance of the elevator’s machinery to a licensed professional. Schedule maintenance by an authorized elevator technician twice a year to keep your elevator in top working order.
Ready to get started on your own home elevator installation? Contact your local Symmetry Elevator dealer for help choosing the type of elevator that meets your needs today.