Installing an Elevator in a Domestic Home

Andrew0415 on 21/08/2023 - 08:55

My elderly parents live in a two story property with a steep driveway in the 'burbs. After ignoring my suggestions over the past decade that they perhaps consider moving to a more manageable property, my dad now wants to install an elevator from the garage to their bedroom as he and my mum have trouble with the stairs. Based on my research the estimated cost will likely be around $30k plus $10k or so in ancillary preparation works.

Fair enough, it's their money to do with as they please but I'm interested if anyone else has installed something like this and what the implications have been, particularly with regard to reliability and maintenance costs? Also, are their any lift providers people would or wouldn't recommend? They're not interested in a stair lift btw and I don't think that would work for their circumstances.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • holdenmg on 21/08/2023 - 09:05

    Hi,

    Have a look at https://www.motobility.com.au/products/lifts
    as there may be other options to a lift.

    Consider if they really want a lift from the Garage into the Bedroom and if noise or exhaust fumes can be managed.

    Think about whether the house will require other additional expensive modifications to stay there as well.

    Will this value add if they ever want to sell or downsize?

    • Andrew0415 on 21/08/2023 - 09:12
      +4

      If I was a buyer I'd find an elevator a major turn off. But it feels crass to mention this because it's their property after all and not my business what they choose to do with it. They seem pretty determined to stay there until the bitter end.

      • LFO on 22/08/2023 - 11:42
        -3

        "If I was a buyer I'd find an elevator a major turn off. "

        Well, in most cases an elevator inside the dwelling means it is and "expensive" property with comfort and technology.
        So an asset by most standards.

  • poboy on 21/08/2023 - 09:05
    +1

    I'm not an expert. But adding an expensive ongoing cost to a property would not be attractive for the next owners.

    Could they just live on the bottom storey? Or move and go on 5 x $10,000 holidays over the next 5 years?

    • Andrew0415 on 21/08/2023 - 09:08
      +1

      The bottom floor is only the garage unfortunately.

      • Nugs on 21/08/2023 - 09:15
        +10

        problem solved, they probably shouldn't be driving if they can't navigate stairs
        .

  • JimmyF on 21/08/2023 - 09:21
    -6

    Based on my research the estimated cost will likely be around $30k plus $10k or so in ancillary preparation works.

    $40k is cheaper than moving.

    If I was a buyer I'd find an elevator a major turn off.

    So when the time comes to sell, you can always remove the elevator. Say another $20k to remove and patch the flooring up. So $60k all up….Still cheaper than moving.

    it's their property after all and not my business what they choose to do with it

    So support them and be happy. You appear to be concerned over them spending their own money on their own happiness, rather than leave it for you to spend at a later date.

    • Andrew0415 on 21/08/2023 - 09:30
      +5

      Wow, that's what you got from my post? I'd like to help inform them about reliable providers and ongoing costs. I don't understand why you're so hostile.

        • Tee Rex Arms on 21/08/2023 - 10:06
          -6

          He’s definitely more concerned with his inheritance rather than his parents quality of life.

        • Andrew0415 on 21/08/2023 - 10:12
          +3

          I'm researching this on their behalf so they can be fully informed about the costs and associated issues (how often do these things breakdown, what is the lead time on parts and repairs) and will manage the installation process if they choose to go ahead. I take deep offence to the idea that I'm concerned about my inheritance. I've never taken or expected a cent from them in my entire adult life. Whatever "undertones" you sense are probably related to your own weird insecurities. Keep them to yourself.

          • JimmyF on 21/08/2023 - 15:58
            -7

            @Andrew0415:

            Whatever "undertones" you sense are probably related to your own weird insecurities. Keep them to yourself.

            They are your undertones, not mine…..

    • jksk13 on 21/08/2023 - 09:33
      -1

      $60k is cheaper than moving!?!? Sure, you have to pay stamp duty and all that when buying a new place, but they would have to do that anyway when selling in the future AFTER paying "say another $20k" to remove the elevator.

      Unless the property is planned on being passed down generations, I think putting a lift in (that has an ongoing annual cost on top of the $40k install) is a terrible decision and the parents need to look at moving.

      • JimmyF on 21/08/2023 - 09:44
        -1

        $60k is cheaper than moving!?!? Sure, you have to pay stamp duty and all that when buying a new place, but they would have to do that anyway when selling in the future AFTER paying "say another $20k" to remove the elevator.

        You are assuming they will be selling and buying another place at some time in the future. My guess, they'll be moving into a retirement home next, so would be just selling. Hence no stamp duty costs.

        Unless the property is planned on being passed down generations, I think putting a lift in (that has an ongoing annual cost on top of the $40k install) is a terrible decision and the parents need to look at moving.

        Terrible decision? LOL No a terrible decision would be to stall them and let one of them fall down the stairs and break something. There are many types of domestic lifts around, they don't require huge ongoing costs like you think. The OP parents could get something as simple as a stair chair lift. Even cheaper to install and simple as to remove when the time comes.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 21/08/2023 - 09:42
    +2

    Done forget, ongoing maintenance.

    • onetwothreefour on 21/08/2023 - 09:48

      particularly with regard to reliability and maintenance costs?

    • SlickMick on 23/08/2023 - 22:12

      this.
      I would never again buy an apartment with a lift. A large chunk of the body corporate fees goes towards keeping the thing going.
      I can't imagine how unrealiable a home lift would be. Or how long the parents would be stuck in it waiting for a service person to come and get them out.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 21/08/2023 - 10:00
    +5

    How to destroy your property value in one easy step

    I'd be staying well clear of a property with an elevator.

    cost will likely be around $30k

    That seems…..cheap? are you sure? I was honestly expecting $100k.

    • kiitos on 23/08/2023 - 08:16

      Why would you steer clear of it?

      • coffeeinmyveins on 23/08/2023 - 09:48
        +1

        Maintenance cost when something invariably goes wrong. Cost of removal if I want to get rid of it.

  • Lichen6420 on 21/08/2023 - 10:21
    +4

    Not an uncommon problem and is usually managed through the use of a stair lift as opposed to an elevator. Compact elevators are a thing though.

    Elevators have lots of compliance, safety and maintenance considerations. They are probably an overly complicated solution to a fairly simple problem.

    Example below, but there is lots around.

    https://www.stannah.com.au/stairlifts/
    https://directlifts.com.au/compact-home-lifts/

  • cohiba30 on 21/08/2023 - 10:47
    +5

    An elevator is a good decision depending on their circumstances health wise etc. I have mobility issues too and live in a double storied home, and intend on installing an elevator when the time is right. My view on cost is that an elevator is not too different from an accessible kitchen/bathroom renovation. I've seen many high-end homes with internal elevators and they have only helped to increase house value, so I don't understand the negativity against them here. Good luck

  • sumyungguy on 21/08/2023 - 10:52
    +2

    I reckon the shaftless elevators look good, somewhat easier & cheaper to install.
    https://compactlifts.com.au
    JerryRigEverything DIY installation

    • Sensiekatie on 22/08/2023 - 13:30
      +2

      I did have dealings with this company (Compact Lifts) when I was deciding lift V stairlift. They were very efficient and gave me an idea of prices upfront before even coming out. The model for wheelchairs is slightly bigger and around the $30000 but the extra costs aren't anywhere near $10000 but some houses may require more work I guess. Their model doesn't require an ugly shaft and that was what was attractive to me. The standing model that would not fit a wheelchair (or walker) would obviously be cheaper.

      An elevator done well does increase property values. I would have rather gone with one. I haven't been in one yet that is noisy. Someone talked about fumes - what fumes? Most are electric. Water lifts were around a while ago but not sure about now. Still, no fumes and very quiet. The ones i have checked out required a yearly service.
      The building my son lives in has a lift for wheelchair users only. It is designed for residential and not designed for an apartment building. It is a very rough ride and also difficult to operate. You even have to hold the button until you get to the floor you want. It is also ugly. So would recommend checking out a lift in place with whoever they go with.

      Just think how great a lift would be for getting their shopping upstairs or other purchases. Families can bring prams upstairs easily and all sorts of other advantages.

  • pharkurnell on 21/08/2023 - 11:08

    They're not interested in a stair lift btw and I don't think that would work for their circumstances.

    Much better than an elevator…. why wouldnt it work?
    https://www.stannah.com.au/stairlifts/solus/

    Cheaper and wont ruin the house.. talk them into it.

    • Sensiekatie on 22/08/2023 - 13:32

      I have one and I would prefer am elevator. A stairlift really ruins aesthetics. An elevator done well is not even obvious. Especially if it is shaftless and literally just a hole in the floor on the top story.

  • foolsgold on 21/08/2023 - 11:17

    Don't know what state you are in, but I don't think my estimates are to far off

    • the lift 55-60k
    • you need annual servicing
    • if they are elderly they are able to get the GST removed through some gov grant

    From here you would need
    - plans, engineering etc prepared
    if your parents are in some sort of heritage overlay or something they may also trigger a planning permit, and they will need a planning permit in addition

    Now to the house:
    You will need space for the shaft, the lift car, rail and motor
    The shaft will need to be anchored pretty securely into the garage slab, too hard to say but very likely you need to cut the slab here, create a new footing to support it
    You will need to cut the slab if you want the lift car to be flush on entry ie no step if theyre in a wheel chair

    Then you need to cut the garage roof up, make good inside, ceilings, walls etc all damaged
    Then the connection into the house if it's fully internal it's probably worst you be cutitng through roof/floor structure etc

    If it's external it's distances to property boundary that can dictate if it needs to be a fire rated wall etc

    All up it be starting at about $100-120k, but realistically likely 150k-200k + gst mark.

    • sumyungguy on 21/08/2023 - 11:19
      +2

      Why can't they go with shaftless?

    • Sensiekatie on 22/08/2023 - 13:39
      +1

      There are plenty of lifts out there cheaper than your estimates. Your installation & modifications are way out too.

      Email estimates from Compact lifts 26 April 2023

      Compact Elegance - 170KG/2Person lift - $31,000+GST

      Compact Elegance Plus - 250Kg/small wheelchair lift $36,000+GST

      Approx. building cost if standard, $3,000+GST

      These lifts are GST free, if the lift is for someone with limited mobility.

      Standard features of our compact lifts are:

      • Battery back-up which allows the lift to lower safely to the lower level in case of a power failure.

      • A Concealed mobile phone which will connect to our 24-hour call centre.
      • Half height gate and Electric gate lock for fall protection, when the lift is moving between levels

      • 7 years extended warranty available on major parts*T&Cs apply

      • German Gearbox Motor & Mitsubishi PLC
      • Motion sensor light rays protecting lift opening
      • Builder insert, to speed up lift sleeve/insert installation

      • In house professional builders, who install lift insert and build shafts week in and week out

      • 24/7 Service department on call, if ever needed

      • foolsgold on 22/08/2023 - 17:45

        JUST a building permit will cost more than the 3 you think it cost to slap up some plasterboard over a hole.

        You can’t just go around cutting things in your house with out a building permit, an engineer and at least a draftsperson.

        The costs at a minimum are

        • property info certificate from council
        • copy of title to prove ownership
        • engineer
        • drafts person
        • building contract
        • domestic insurance paid by builder passed into you in fees it’s about to go up 40% next month

        Say you do all above for $500 bucks

        From there there is
        - cutting the slab
        - poring a new footing
        - erecting steel
        - cutting a hole in the ceiling
        - cutting a hole in the roof
        - cutting a hole in a wall

        Then it’s slapping up some steel. It’s quite light so you could probably do this by hand. Saves on hiring any cranes.

        Running electrical to the lift down stairs and upstairs. Plus a light for the shaft.

        The switch board is probably easy to access and doesn’t need any upgrades.

        Running comms to a motor room. You don’t need to insulate it from noise as it’s in the garage.

        Then a simple stud wall done down stairs. Plasterboard. Paint everything doesn’t matter if nothing matches cause it’s just a garage so we just brush it all together.

        Then no shaft needed, the lift will just shoot outside like Willy Wonka. When the lift is down you get a free view to outside.

        • sumyungguy on 22/08/2023 - 18:29

          What city/country are you from? I need neither a permit, engineer nor draftsperson to make modifications to my home.

          • Euphemistic on 22/08/2023 - 22:10

            @sumyungguy: Most councils would require some form of permit to make a significant structural change. Most internal renovations that do not affect the exterior of the house would likely go unnoticed and can likely get away without getting approval.

            Not sure where a lift fits. It’s probably not a significant structural change.

          • foolsgold on 23/08/2023 - 08:31

            @sumyungguy: I'm a registered architect in VIC, there's a reason why you never see pneumatic lifts around.
            What you are describing is a perfect scenario where there is a some free shaft in the house.
            Literally anything else requires modification of structure, and that requires a permit. External changes could also trigger other permissions.

            Every time you rip a hole in a room, you end up needing to patch and paint an entire room, repair trims, architraves, floor junctions etc. If you don't want to be an owner builder, you need to pay a builder who will want to make a margin. Like other people builders are going to want to earn a profit on the project plus have a significant contingency in case things go wrong. Small renovations can quickly end up costing more when you start unveiling concealed layers, relocating services, and doing additional work while you here stuff.

            I'd love to see the roof plumber you'd get, who would come to your job, put a small 1-2 sq metre metal roof, gutter/cap it/flash your walls/roof for less than 3k. Then you need to clad it in something, cement sheet at 100 a sq metre, before painting. Need scaffolding, the set up and pull down will chew up that 3k pretty quick.

            This industry is full of people hearing there mates saying I did this kitchen reno for 15k, and forget to actually include all the expenses that really occurred as part of it.

            • sumyungguy on 23/08/2023 - 08:51

              @foolsgold: I'm only referring to shaftless as they're appealingly low-cost. If you're contracting a roofer for a shaftless elevator the client is getting scammed.

  • ihbh on 21/08/2023 - 11:54

    Things to think about:

    • How long will it take to install?
    • How healthy are your parents?

    Context - my neighbours built an extension for daughter to stay with them to assist with care and modified bathrooms, etc. to fit wheelchair for elderly dad. Not long after it was completed (took a few years), he passed away, they are selling and downsized near the beach (ground floor apartment). The daughter told me the real estate agent agreed with her that a buyer doesn't have to do anything; yet at the open home, he said to one potential buyer that everyone acknowledges that work will need to be done.

    • mskeggs on 21/08/2023 - 12:12
      +1

      Young people (and many not so young) don’t like being reminded of their mortality by seeing a shower rail or wide access bathroom.
      Others will figure ramp access or wider doorways is no hardship.

  • Caped Baldy on 21/08/2023 - 12:03

    An elevator might not work with no power or an emergency.

    • JimmyF on 21/08/2023 - 15:59

      They'll still have the 'stairs' in that case.

    • sumyungguy on 21/08/2023 - 16:04
      +1

      The shaftless ones include a backup battery, good for one descent.

    • c64 on 21/08/2023 - 16:15
      +1

      install an emergency fireman's pole

    • LFO on 22/08/2023 - 11:57

      Back-up power to the rescue!!!!

      By the way, most appliances will not work with no power. No lights. No cooking. No fridges. No TV. No NBN. Death for sure

      :-p

  • mskeggs on 21/08/2023 - 12:09
    +18

    I’ve got to have a laugh at the people here worried about property prices when talking about enabling people to live their remaining time how they want. Very Australian culturally, that we have forgotten we own houses to live in, not invest.
    Oh no, it might turn off some imaginary future buyer who would have to spend $10k to remove it, on a $1m+ purchase. Better to have Mum and Dad struggle in their final years than inconvenience the property market.

    • JimmyF on 21/08/2023 - 16:23
      +2

      Oh no, it might turn off some imaginary future buyer who would have to spend $10k to remove it, on a $1m+ purchase. Better to have Mum and Dad struggle in their final years than inconvenience the property market.

      LOL 100% Agree with this statement.

  • payless69 on 21/08/2023 - 12:20

    Water elevator?

  • Daniel Plainview on 21/08/2023 - 14:02

    Just tell them to keep a lookout for Gremlins, they don't go well with domestic elevators.
    https://youtu.be/dZVeyibVA40

  • Nickels n Dimes on 21/08/2023 - 19:06
    +2

    Liftshop and Platinum do great work on lifts and after sales support is excellent

  • Wandersen on 22/08/2023 - 08:00

    Scissor lifts are very reliable and would I expect be sufficient for this scenario.

  • eftpos on 22/08/2023 - 09:56

    A family member got one of these across two levels: https://liftshop.com.au/residential-lifts/q1/

    I think it cost somewhere between $40-50K. It's pretty minimal as they put the carpet back across the floor flap in the bedroom and there's only a couple of metal rods on the wall in the hallway. Soon after installation there was a problem with the door and the lift stuck halfway up. Fortunately she was able to pull the door closed more tightly which enabled her to get it up to the top level, but that was when she found that while the lift mechanics were free if they came on a call out during the week under the warranty, she would have had to pay more than $1000 if she had been completely stuck, as it was a weekend and they send emergency services (there's an emergency phone with a separate SIM card in the lift). However, as the problem was a faulty door, which they fixed, I'm assuming the company would have had to cover the extra cost although I'm glad she didn't have to test that. That was around 10 months ago and it hasn't had any issues since.

    • LFO on 22/08/2023 - 11:54

      And a family member fell down the stairs and remain in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

      Stairs suck.

  • Odin on 22/08/2023 - 10:34

    estimated cost will likely be around $30k plus $10k

    Friend of mine has an elevator in their new build for their elderly parents

    This is a very low estimate.

    I'd expect double the cost, honestly. More like $60k when you put it all together. Possibly even more.

  • Redoctober00 on 22/08/2023 - 11:35

    There is always Alibaba :)

    https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/shaftless-elevator.html

  • LFO on 22/08/2023 - 11:51
    -2

    Gosh!!!!
    I don't understand why so many posters associate an internal elevator with a liability of some kind.

    EXPENSIVE luxuries properties have internal elevators.
    It cost$ a lot lot more so the poor ones cannot afford them and install stairs instead. Please!!

    Cheap multilevel buildings have stairs BECAUSE it cost$ more.

    Luxurious multilevel building have lifts BECAUSE it add$ value

    The poor live in "flats" with stairs.
    The wealthy live in apartments with lifts (some with multiple lifts).

    Please!!

  • LFO on 23/08/2023 - 20:58

    Just read on the SMH about the convenience of installing a lift.
    Expen$ive but worth it.

    Title is: "Why people are paying $100,000 to install a lift in their home"

    Interesting.
    Also one comment expresses the exact opposite!!!.

    Obviously is a personal thing.

  • Seraphin7 on 24/08/2023 - 16:18

    Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near it. The costs are hideous and they are notorious for breaking down/requiring expensive maintenance/repairs.

    That said, it's their coin and if that's what they want to do, well …

    From a purely financial perspective though (and frankly lifestyle as well) I would be suggesting a move into a more "fit for purpose" property, that will also likely be less maintenance in general terms beyond the proposed lift.

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