Getting a home lift installed in your home can either be a full-blown luxury or an absolute need — depending on the people who use it.
For instance, if you’re a young couple with just two levels of vertical real estate, a home lift would be nothing less than a luxury. However, an old couple with knee problems might need to access the top floor of their house.
Regardless of your needs, a home lift can also be quite a fruitful financial investment. Believe it or not, not only do they lift you, but also your property’s value… by 25 percent!
But before you decide to get one installed, make sure you consider these 6 crucial factors.
1. Safety First!
Source: homeliftstore.com
Don’t shy away from asking the lift company as many safety questions as you need to be completely satisfied. Your loved ones will use the home lift daily, and there’s no room for compromises in this department.
If you feel unsatisfied with their answers, look for other options. Trust me; there’s plenty of models in the market.
The lift should be manufactured in compliance with quality control legislation and building regulations. The people who install it should also be well-trained, experienced, and determined to withhold all safety standards.
You can also ask installation contractors about their process to see if they include necessary safety measures like risk assessments, site surveys, draft approvals, etc.
2. Consider Space Constraints
Your house should NOT seem like it’s built around a lift — rather, it should be the other way around. You shouldn’t have to move everything around the house just to make space for a lift. Instead, pick a lift that fits the limited space you have for it.
As I’ve mentioned above, there will hardly ever be more than two people wanting to go up or down a floor. For two people, even the smallest of lifts would suffice.
If you’ve got serious space constraints, go with a model that suits them — i.e. platform lifts instead of traction ones to save up on the engine room space.
3. What’s the Right Type of Residential Elevator for You?
Source: victoryelevators.com
The market is filled with all sorts of elevators — and they keep inventing more of them. Make sure you keep your particular needs in mind when you’re shopping for one.
From step lifts to massive passenger ones, there are many types to choose from. But for a household, the lift will hardly ever have more than two people inside, so the passenger lift doesn’t make sense.
Make sure you make your needs crystal clear to your contractor before anyone tries to oversell you something you don’t need. For example, you don’t need the tallest lift in the world to cover a double-storey house.
You should also communicate the primary reasons why you’re looking for a home lift. Also, talk about the type of people who will use it. For instance, if they have any particular physical disabilities or joint problems, tell your provider so they can recommend a suitable option.
4. Cost
Lifts can be costly — so money is one of the critical aspects you should think about. Which model fits your budget? Are you swaying towards a more expensive one just because of aesthetics? Do you need one that big? Catch yourself going over the budget for no necessary reason — you’ll thank me for it.
I’d even urge you to give it an honest thought — do you really need one? Compare the cost with the value you’d get out of it in an unbiased way.
As I’ve mentioned in the introduction of this article, sometimes people do need it, and it even financially benefits your property value. Still, it’s advisable to sit down and think about it for once.
5. Energy Consumption
Source: architectureartdesigns.com
Before you get a residential elevator installed, keep in mind that its initial purchase and installation cost isn’t where it ends. It’ll also take a toll on your energy bills!
Different models have varying levels of energy efficiency. Pay close attention to these numbers when you’re in the market for a home lift. Energy-efficient home lifts won’t just go easy on your bills, but also the environment!
6. Customer Service
Even the finest of residential elevators can run into technical issues occasionally. Having a team that offers reliable customer service and timely maintenance is a huge selling point. Besides comparing warranties, remember to ask around about the customer service quality of your lift provider!
Conclusion
Getting a home lift installed is a significant decision and one that shouldn’t be made heedlessly. Make sure you deeply consider the factor I’ve listed in this article — especially the first one: safety. If the lift isn’t 100% safe to use, it’s not worth installing the home as it puts your dearest ones in danger every single day.
With that said, you’re now in a much better spot to make an informed decision about the type of home lift you need. All the best!
