Remodeling: Would a Home Elevator Work For You?

Remodeling your living quarters so that you can live all on one floor is a good solution, but not always possible.  If you are reluctant to leave your lovely large home, and if you have a healthy budget (factor in what it will cost to move elsewhere) installing an elevator might be the right choice for you.

Those of you who have had a stroke, a knee replacement surgery, or have arthritic joints know that stairs, narrow doorways and bathrooms can be tricky to navigate.  You don’t have to be an expert to know that there is a growing need for ramps, open floor plans, accessible bathrooms, and even elevators.

There are a number of models available depending on your floor space, design preferences and of course the cost.  Find a manufacture that will let you test out available models in the showroom before you make a decision.   Look at cost, noise levels, ease of use, and comfort.   If you are building a house from scratch and want to stay there for the rest of your life, keep in mind that it is less expensive and easier to install an elevator during initial construction.  At the very least consider stacking up closet space floor to floor so that you have a space that could later be used as an elevator shaft.

Rosemary Bakker discusses three models in her book “Revitalizing Your Home.”  These models all offer emergency back-up systems so that you don’t have to worry about being stranded between floors in the event of a power outage.

Freestanding Elevator Cab offers a no frills solution and is the least expensive model.  It does not require a shaft, just a floor cutout for the cab to pass through and a load bearing wall to mount the steel tracks on.  These models can carry 450-500 pounds.

Freestanding Glass and Metal Elevator; this deluxe model has a little more pizzazz, but like its cheaper model does not require a shaft, just a floor cutout.  The cab is pneumatically powered, is wheelchair accessible and quite lovely.   Some models will hold up to 550 pounds and are wheelchair accessible.

Hydraulic Elevator:  This is the luxury model and offers many custom features.  It does, however, require a shaft, a machine room and an excavated pit.

The idea is to assist people with disabilities to be independent.  It is entirely possible that you or someone in your family will need help at some point in the future.  What lengths are you willing to go to stay in your own home?  With a little bit of planning you can dramatically increase your ability to live independently.  Specific features such as safer stairs, lifts, and elevator systems are some of the ways that you can use to make your house accessible while keeping you safe.

Comments

[helping spokane seniors]

What a great suggestion! I do not know how many seniors in my market would be willing to consider something that appears so extravagant, but I am certainly going to read the book you suggested, “Revitalizing Your Home.” I am a Seniors Real Estate Specialist in Spokane, WA and always am sure to inform seniors that selling their long-time family home is not the only housing option available to them! Thanks for sharing.