How to Install a Home Elevator

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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For a multi-level home, an elevator can be an excellent way to improve the convenience of moving from one level to the next, and it can add to the value of your home. Whether you need an elevator for an elderly or disabled person, or you just hate climbing stairs, there are numerous choices of elevator types and installation usually comes standard with them. Follow these steps to purchase and install a home elevator.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Decide what you will use the elevator for and buy accordingly. For example, do you simply need it to lift packages or other household items from one floor to the next? If so, you might simply consider a dumbwaiter, which is easier to install and less expensive. If you need help climbing stairs, you might simply install a stairlift. Again, this is less complex and easier to install.

Step2

Send a photo via email or U.S. Post of the space where you plan to install your elevator. Most companies do not even offer self-install elevators, but the ones that our staff experts at eHow have found require you to send them a photo.

Step3

Explain to the elevator distributor the exact configuration of your plan. This will require some understanding of basic engineering concepts, so you might consider getting a builder or fix-it friend to give you a hand on configuring the plan.

Step4

Purchase a drill, wrenches, Allen tools and screwdrivers and know how to use them well. Basic understanding of all these tools and their uses is key to successful installation of the home elevator.

Step5

Use the diagram and install the elevator. This is a difficult task and it may be one that you find is more than you can handle. However, if you feel confident in your ability to follow diagrams and understand basic engineering, you can probably do it.

Step6

Consider calling a professional. Elevator installation is complex, time-consuming and rough. Unless you are very skilled as a builder, this is may be too much for the average person.