Home Elevator Installation: Cost & What To Expect

For seniors struggling with mobility issues, installing a residential elevator can make a world of difference in day-to-day life. These energy-efficient installations not only remedy the issue of travel distance for wheelchair users or those with severe health concerns, but can also improve home values.

However, if you’re looking to install one, it’s important to note that home elevator prices vary depending on several different cost factors. This article outlines the average installation costs for various elevator types, so you can select the most cost-effective solution for your home.

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Home Elevator Installation Costs

For senior homeowners, installing residential elevators can be expensive. Prices also vary greatly based on construction and functionality requirements.

For example, the type of elevator you choose, the number of floors you need it to access, and whether you are building it into new construction or retrofitting your existing home will all influence labor costs. Another factor that can influence the installation cost of an elevator is your county and state; areas with higher demand typically have more affordable prices.

Hydraulic elevators are more expensive to install but are cheaper overall, with an average price of $47,500. Installing a hydraulic elevator lift costs between $10,000 – $20,000. 

On the other hand, traction elevators are more expensive overall ($55,750), but cheaper to install ($1,500 – $15,000). 

The total cost of a pneumatic elevator is around $40,000. However, if you’re concerned about pricing, shaftless elevators are the most affordable option, averaging around $20,000 for purchase and installation.

However, cost factors also go further, as different types of elevators can utilize unique systems to function. Here are some total prices (including installation) you might expect to pay based on the specific elevator type:

Elevator Type	Total Cost
Geared traction	$25,000 – $45,000
Gearless traction	$30,000 – $60,000
MR traction	$25,000 – $50,000
MRL traction	$35,000 – $70,000
Roped hydraulic	$30,000 – $60,000
Holed hydraulic	$15,000 – $40,000
Holeless hydraulic	$20,000 – $50,000
MR hydraulic	$25,000 – $50,000
MRL hydraulic	$25,000 – $60,000
Pneumatic	$30,000 – $50,000
Shaftless	$15,000 – $30,000

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Installation Costs Depend on the Type of Home Elevator

Home elevator installation greatly depends on the type of elevator you purchase. The four most common types include:

• Hydraulic elevators: When most people think of traditional home elevators, they picture them concealed in a wall, with a retractable door that opens to let you enter the cab. Both hydraulic and traction elevators work like this, with hydraulic systems that use a fluid-driven piston to raise and lower the elevator cab between floors. They’re usually the most attractive option due to their higher weight capacity and lower long-term maintenance costs compared to traction systems. They do, however, require more space for installation, especially for holed or roped variants.
• Traction elevators: Otherwise known as cable elevators, these systems use ropes or cables connected to a counterweight to balance the elevator cab. The counterweight reduces the amount of energy needed to move the cab, while an electric motor-driven pulley provides the lifting power. They can be either geared or gearless, with geared systems offering smoother rides and more efficiency at a higher cost. They also have a higher travel height compared to hydraulic options.
• Pneumatic vacuum elevators: Newer types of elevators, including the pneumatic vacuum and the shaftless elevator, are more affordable because they are installed out in the open and don’t require demolition. Pneumatic systems consist of glass or acrylic tubes (typically around 30 inches in diameter) that look a bit like large mail tubes you may have seen in older buildings. They are not concealed in the wall and are usually positioned next to an existing staircase.
• Shaftless elevators: Shaftless elevators consist of a rectangular elevator car positioned on a track. The car travels on the track from the lower floor to the upper floor and back. These elevators are often less attractive than other options, but they are more affordable.

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Machine Room (MR) vs. Machine Room-Less (MRL) Home Lift Installation Costs

Another factor that influences elevator pricing, required site preparation, and regular maintenance, is whether the system needs a machine room or not.

• Machine room (MR) elevators utilize a separate machine room, typically stalled next to or above the elevator shaft, to house essential components and controls. Depending on the building, they’re often less costly to install than MRL options, but are less energy-efficient over time, leading to higher elevator maintenance costs.
• Machine room-less (MRL) elevators integrate the machinery within the hoistway itself, eliminating the need for a dedicated room. This usually equates to higher installation costs that can be offset by space and energy savings over time.

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New Construction vs. Retrofitting for Home Elevator Installations

If you are building a new home, you will have the most options for installation. You can choose the most convenient or attractive location for your elevator and determine how big you want it to be by allowing more or less space to accommodate the elevator shaft. The easiest and most affordable time to install a behind-the-wall elevator, including traditional cable designs or hydraulic elevators, is during a new construction build.

If you are planning to retrofit your existing home with an elevator, your most affordable options are the pneumatic vacuum or shaftless elevators. They both take up little space and can be added nearly anywhere in the home. Pneumatic vacuums are often installed next to an existing staircase, but both the pneumatic and the shaftless types can be put nearly anywhere by creating a hole in the floor of the second story. 

However, if you have the budget and space, it is possible to retrofit a home with a hydraulic or cable elevator.

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Dimensions Needed to Install a Home Elevator

Most states have residential building codes requiring home elevators to be 18 square feet or less. That’s enough to accommodate an elevator that is 3 feet wide and 6 feet deep, for example, which is quite a bit bigger than what you’ll need unless you have a very large home and want an elevator that transports several people at once.

• Cable or hydraulic elevators: Standard sizes for traditional cable or hydraulic elevators range from 12 square feet to 15 square feet, or larger for custom elevators. To install a hydraulic or cable elevator, which is built into your home and concealed behind a door or bookcase, you’ll need at least a five square foot area of your home that can be blocked off.
• Pneumatic vacuum elevators: A pneumatic vacuum elevator may be a good option if you have less space. They require about 3 feet by 4 feet (12 square feet) to accommodate one person in a wheelchair and are usually positioned next to an existing staircase.
• Shaftless elevators: Another elevator option requiring little space is the shaftless option. A larger shaftless elevator meant to accommodate a wheelchair or two people usually requires 14 square feet of space.

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Bottom Line

The requirements to install the best home elevator for your space depends on the space itself, the type of elevator you want, potential upgrades, and whether you need to retrofit it into your existing home or build it into a new home. Contact your local home elevator company and ask about free estimates based on your particular situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions