Are home elevators worth it?
For many households a home elevator is genuinely worth it. It removes the daily strain and fall risk of stairs, lets people stay in a home they love as they get older, and makes an upstairs bedroom, laundry or living space usable again for anyone with limited mobility. It is also a meaningful convenience — carrying laundry, groceries or luggage between floors becomes effortless. Because it is a significant investment, the real answer depends on your situation: your mobility needs now and in the years ahead, how long you plan to stay in the home, and which type of elevator suits your layout and budget.
Increasingly, homeowners think about elevators as part of “aging in place” — adapting a home so it stays comfortable and safe for decades rather than moving to single-level living or assisted care. Compared with the cost and upheaval of selling and relocating, a home elevator can be the more practical choice. It can also broaden the appeal of a multi-story home when it eventually comes to sell, since it opens the property up to older buyers and anyone with accessibility needs.
What types of home elevators are there?
There are five main types of residential elevator sold in the U.S., and the type you choose is the single biggest factor in both price and how much building work is involved.
Compact shaftless (through-floor)
Shaftless elevators such as those from Stiltz are self-supporting and travel through a small opening in the floor above. They need no separate hoistway, pit or machine room, which is why they are the most popular choice for retrofits. They suit 2–3 floors, fit into the corner of a room, plug into a standard outlet, and can usually be installed in a few days with minimal disruption.
Hydraulic and traction elevators
Traditional residential elevators use either a hydraulic ram or a cable-and-counterweight traction system. Brands like Savaria offer these in a wide range of cab sizes and finishes. They give a smooth, quiet ride and are well suited to taller homes of 3–4 floors, but they require a shaft (hoistway) and usually a small pit, so there is more structural work and a higher cost.
Pneumatic vacuum elevators
Pneumatic (vacuum) elevators move the cab inside a sealed tube using air pressure. They are self-supporting, need no pit or machine room, and have a distinctive design-led look. They tend to be compact (typically two or three passengers) and are a good fit where the panoramic cylindrical cab is part of the appeal.
Vertical platform lifts
A vertical platform lift (VPL) is an open or enclosed platform that raises a person — often in a wheelchair — over a single-floor rise. Brands like Harmar make indoor and outdoor models. VPLs are usually the most affordable option and are ideal for porch, deck or split-level access rather than travel through several floors.
How much does a home elevator cost?
Most U.S. homeowners spend between $35,000 and $85,000 installed, with the whole market running from about $20,000 to over $100,000. The type of elevator is the biggest cost driver, followed by the number of floors, whether it is a retrofit or new build, and the cab size and finish. The only way to know your number is a free quote based on your home.
Illustrative guide ranges only. For a full breakdown of what drives price and what’s included, read the home elevator cost guide.
Can you add an elevator to an existing home?
Yes — retrofitting an elevator into an existing house is common and, with the right model, straightforward. Compact shaftless elevators are designed specifically for retrofits: because they are self-supporting and need no separate shaft, pit or machine room, they can often be installed in a few days with minimal building work. Traditional shafted elevators can also be retrofitted, but they need space for a hoistway and more structural work.
The practical questions are where the elevator will land on each floor, whether the floor structure can be opened safely, and how much finishing work is involved afterwards. A free home survey answers all of these before you commit — the installer measures the space, checks the structure, and confirms exactly what will fit and what it will cost.
Do you need a shaft or a pit?
Not always. Shaftless and pneumatic vacuum elevators are self-supporting and need no separate hoistway, pit or machine room — that is a big part of why they are easier and cheaper to retrofit. Traditional hydraulic and traction elevators do require a shaft, and usually a small pit at the base plus space for equipment, which means more construction. If avoiding structural work is a priority, a shaftless model is usually the place to start.
Which home elevator is best for a wheelchair or aging in place?
For full wheelchair access you want either a larger-cab residential elevator or a vertical platform lift that can comfortably hold a wheelchair or mobility scooter plus a caregiver. Look for a wide, level entrance, a cab large enough to turn or maneuver, accessible controls, and a smooth, controlled ride. Many shaftless and traditional elevators are available with wider, ADA-friendly cabs.
If your goal is aging in place, it’s worth choosing for the future rather than just today: a slightly larger cab, grab rails, and simple controls make the elevator comfortable for years even if needs change. When you request quotes, tell us it’s for wheelchair or accessibility use and we’ll match you with installers who fit accessible models.
Stiltz vs Savaria vs Harmar: how the brands compare
These are three of the most recognized names in U.S. residential elevators, and each is strong in a different area.
Rather than starting from a brand, it usually pays to start from your home and your needs — how many floors, whether you want to avoid structural work, and whether wheelchair access matters — then compare the models that fit. That’s exactly what our quote process does: it matches your requirements to the right installers so you can compare like-for-like.
What happens during installation?
The process starts with a free home survey, where a licensed installer measures the space, checks the structure, and confirms which models will fit and the exact price. Once you choose, the installer handles permits and schedules the work. A compact shaftless retrofit can often be completed in a few days; a traditional shafted elevator that needs a hoistway and structural work takes longer and may be planned around other construction. Before you use the elevator it is inspected and certified to local code, and the installer trains you on safe operation. Your quote should make clear what’s included — the unit, installation, permits, inspection, warranty and user training.
Are home elevators safe?
Yes. Modern residential elevators are built with multiple safety features — interlocked doors that won’t open unless the cab is present, an emergency stop, battery backup so the elevator still works or descends safely during a power outage, and a slow, controlled speed. They are installed by licensed contractors and inspected to local code before first use.
Ongoing safety comes down to simple maintenance: an annual service check keeps the elevator running smoothly and catches wear early, much like servicing an HVAC system. Ask your installer what the service schedule and warranty cover so there are no surprises later.
How to choose the right home elevator
Pull it together with a short checklist. Work through these and you’ll have a clear brief for installers:
- Floors & rise: how many stops does it need to serve?
- Access needs: standard use, or wheelchair / mobility-scooter access?
- Building work: do you want to avoid a shaft and pit? (Choose shaftless.)
- Space & layout: where can the elevator land on each floor?
- Budget & finish: a working guide range and how much customization you want.
- Timeline: how soon you need it, and whether it fits other work.
The fastest way to turn that brief into real, comparable numbers is to request quotes. Answer four quick questions and up to three licensed installers near you will each provide a free, no-obligation quote and home survey — so you can compare models, prices and timelines side by side.