A licensed elevator company should do the heavy lifting for you
If you’re considering a home elevator, here’s a tip to save you from potential headaches: if you don’t want your elevator to feel like the Tower of Terror, hire a licensed elevator company. This isn’t just a DIY project where you tighten a few screws. It’s a highly technical job that calls for the skills and experience of a professional.
At first glance, big home projects seem doable for any seasoned contractor, but installing a home elevator is different. It requires expertise in building codes, structural engineering, electrical systems, and mechanical hydraulics. To install a home elevator, you’ll need to hire an elevator company. It’s the best way to ensure your home elevator is installed correctly—every single time. You should hire a licensed elevator company for their:
When elevator companies and contractors step into a project, they’re armed with much more than how-to articles. They bring specialized expertise that covers every detail of elevator installations. From assessing your home’s structure and electrical needs to recommending the perfect type of elevator—whether it’s hydraulic, traction, or pneumatic—they handle it all. Plus, they manage the construction, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Home elevators cost more than a pretty penny. While the average home elevator costs around $4,229, with prices typically ranging from $2,705 to $6,073, an expert can suggest ways to save money without compromising safety or quality. With their know-how, you can rest easy knowing your elevator will be safely and expertly installed.
For at-home projects, there’s always some negotiation involved, but safety is the ultimate dealbreaker. Never negotiate on safety. Hiring an elevator contractor for your installation guarantees it meets all the standards necessary for keeping your family safe. For example, they’ll conduct extensive load tests to make sure your elevator can handle its maximum weight, operate solo, and stop exactly where it should. So, while you’re dreaming about easy access with your home elevator, an elevator contractor is working hard to make sure every ride is not just smooth, but safe.
Elevator contractors do more than just the technical work. They bring a touch of design to every project. Elevator companies assess your space and suggest custom designs, helping you choose the perfect materials, styles, and features that—quite literally—elevate your home’s aesthetics and functionality. Whether you want a sleek, space-saving elevator or a charming, vintage model, they can make recommendations based on your preferences. And if accessibility is your priority, an elevator contractor can offer wheelchair-friendly options. Whatever your needs are, a professional elevator company can help you pick an elevator that fits perfectly with your home and lifestyle.
Hiring an elevator company means you’re getting top-notch materials and expert craftsmanship—something DIY just can’t match. These professionals use their connections to source high-quality materials and powerful tools. As expected, most of us don’t have hydraulic jacks or pulley and rigging equipment lying around our garages or tool sheds. So, while experienced homeowners might be tempted to go the DIY route, professional installation is your best bet for lasting quality.
How do you make sure your home elevator is up to code? It might take you a lot of research that you can’t be bothered to do, but elevator companies are experts at working through the clutter of building codes and safety laws. They handle all the complicated and—let’s be honest—frustrating details of local regulations so you don’t have to worry about fines or unsafe conditions.
Choosing an elevator company means more than getting an installation professional. It also means having someone to help with maintenance. Elevator contractors usually provide ongoing support to ensure your elevator runs smoothly and safely for years.
Even if you had all the tools in the world, DIYing a home elevator isn’t a walk in the park. It requires specialized knowledge in structural integrity, load calculations, and electrical systems—topics many homeowners know nothing about. You’d need to understand local building codes and safety regulations, along with precise calibration and emergency system integration. If this sounds overwhelming (and a bit like gibberish), you’re not alone! For a project this complex, calling in a professional will save you from headaches and potentially dangerous situations—trust me!
If you think hiring a general contractor is your go-to for a home elevator installation, think again. These professionals are jacks of all trades, but they may lack specialized knowledge in elevator mechanisms, safety regulations, and engineering. Elevators, even home ones, have to comply with strict codes to ensure their safety and functionality—something a general contractor might overlook without the right training. Ultimately, if you want to install an elevator, call in elevator experts.
Installing a home elevator requires precision, expertise, and much more. Elevator contractors handle the process from an initial consultation to the final inspection, making sure your elevator works the way it should. From start to finish, elevator companies will generally:
Choose the location of your home elevator by considering available space, structural support, electrical connections, and accessibility flow.
Contact your local officials for the necessary building permits and inspections
Inspect your foundation and assess the ground conditions to identify any potential issues
Install the elevator tower
Setup the hydraulic system
Add safety features (safety panels, weather enclosures, doors and interlocks, etc.)
Test the elevator
These tasks might seem overwhelming, and that’s okay because again—it’s best to stay away from this as a DIY. So, if you want a home elevator that’s safe and functional, leave the job to the professionals and let them handle the heavy lifting for you.
