All about home elevators and ceiling lifts

Home elevators are specialized versions of commercial elevators that meet code requirements for travel distance, speed, size, and capacity for use in a private residence. Most home elevators require a shaftway or hoistway, but there are certain exceptions like the Savaria Vuelift panoramic glass home elevator.

Prices vary considerably depending on the model selected and optional features such as custom finishes, door options, and travel distance/number of stops. Savaria offers a full lineup of customizable home elevators from basic to luxury options. Get in touch with a Savaria Home Access expert for an accurate quote today.

Home elevators feature automatic operation, which means they move automatically with the touch of a button. Wheelchair lifts feature constant pressure operation, meaning a button must be held down continuously for the lift to move. While some manufacturers may call their product a ‘wheelchair elevator,’ if you need to press and hold the button to make the platform or cab move up or down, it is technically a wheelchair lift. Some residential wheelchair lifts like the Savaria Telecab look very similar to a traditional home elevator, but do not require shaftway construction.

A home elevator is a luxury convenience feature that may increase your property value. From transporting bulky or awkward items like laundry from one level to another, to making plans for aging in place—or in some cases adding a stand-out design feature to the home—there are many reasons why a potential buyer may desire a home that includes a residential elevator.

Savaria home elevators feature a wide selection of finishes and fixtures with your choice of drive system. Talk to a Savaria Home Access expert to find the right elevator for your lifestyle and interior space.

Every Savaria home elevator is fully compliant with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code Section 5.3 – Private Residential Elevators, which outlines the criteria that must be met to avoid deflection, entrapment, and other safety risks. Our home elevators are engineered and manufactured to the same quality standards as our commercial accessibility lifts. Safety features include emergency lowering, a telephone, elevator door interlocks, an overspeed braking system, and an emergency stop button. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can help guide you through any additional code, permitting and inspection requirements in your area. Get in touch with your local Savaria dealer to get started.

The best home elevator is the one that suits your needs, your home and your lifestyle. There are many factors to consider including space requirements, design preferences, and cost. Your local Savaria Home Access expert can conduct a free assessment and help you select a model from our extensive range. You can also have fun building your own home elevator cab with the online configurator on Savaria.com.

In most jurisdictions, home elevators are regulated devices that require a certified elevator technician to install and service them. Do not attempt to install or service a home elevator yourself, no matter how handy you might be! First, doing so can result in severe injury and even death. As a result, no reputable elevator manufacturer will sell their products directly to consumers to install on their own. Second, DIY home elevators and DIY maintenance or repairs will likely not be covered by manufacturer warranty, and may also adversely impact or even invalidate your home insurance.

Most private insurance providers will not cover the cost of home elevators. Check with your provider about your specific policy.

Home elevators are not covered under Medicare since they are considered home modifications instead of durable medical equipment (DME).

Many local and federal funding programs consider home elevators as home modifications rather than medical equipment. However, a home renovation funding program or tax credit may be available in your region. As well, there may be financing options including adding your home elevator to your mortgage. Contact your local Savaria Home Access expert to learn about funding options.

It is usually possible to install a home elevator in an existing home. You must consider the dimensions of the model, as well as the hoistway, machine room (if required), overhead requirements (at the top of the elevator), and pit requirements (below the elevator). If your home was not built with a ready-made shaftway, you will need to have one built prior to the elevator being installed. The Savaria Vuelift panoramic home elevator includes its own integrated hoistway, so it offers more floorplan flexibility and does not require the additional construction involved in building an elevator shaft hoistway. You might also consider a through-the-floor lift, which also does not require hoistway construction. Learn more about retrofit solutions from your local Savaria Home Access expert.

The minimum space requirement for a home elevator will vary depending on the model, cab size, and whether a hoistway or machine room are required. For instance, the machine roomless Savaria Vuelift panoramic home elevator that includes its own integrated hoistway can have a footprint as small as 50-inches.