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When you first moved into or built your home, you may not have needed a residential elevator. Or perhaps you’ve just moved into a new home and you’re going to require an elevator. Either way, retrofitting a residential elevator into an existing home is something that can be done.

Retrofitting an existing home with a residential elevator can add incredible value to your home. It also allows people to age in place when their mobility isn’t what it used to be. AARP research suggests that more than 3/4 of adults over 50 feel strongly about remaining in their home and community as they age. Rather than moving into a single-story home or an assisted living facility, homeowners can still get around the home they love thanks to their residential elevator. 

When you’re deciding between elevator companies, you want to be sure you’re choosing a company that has the experience and the knowledge to get the job done right. At Rise Above Elevator, we are experts in elevator repair, maintenance, inspection, and installation. We also pride ourselves on educating homeowners and business owners about everything elevator-related.

Retrofitting a home elevator

Whether you’re retrofitting a residential elevator for convenience or out of necessity, there are several important questions to ask first. Keep reading to find out what you should know before retrofitting a residential elevator into your home. 

We’ve also put together a list of questions to ask before the installation process begins. You can find it here. 

Where will my residential elevator fit?

There’s a chance it already has a pre-planned elevator hoistway that was included in the construction if your home was built after the mid 1990s. In that case, there will be an obvious solution for where your residential elevator will go. Some homes might also have stacked closets, pantries, other small rooms that can be retrofitted for an elevator.

If you’re concerned your home doesn’t have enough room for an elevator, think again! In many cases, an elevator can take up less room than a staircase. Here’s more on what you should know about small residential home elevators. 

For homes that weren’t pre-planned for an elevator, there are still options. You’ll need to find a largely unobstructed area on each level of your floor. About 25 square-feet of space is typically what’s needed. 

Additional space may be required depending on the type of elevator you choose, which leads us to the next question.

What kind of residential elevator should I choose?

Different homes suit different types of elevators best. Some of the most popular options for homes include hydraulic elevators and pneumatic vacuum elevators.

At Rise Above Elevator, we offer two choices for hydraulic elevators: our Quiet Ride Lift (QRL) elevator, and our machine room less (MRL) elevator. 

The QRL elevator is the smoothest hydraulic and residential elevator in the industry. Our lifts are 2 to 1 roped hydro-systems with the most structurally engineered slings to carry your cab, and the lift’s capacity ratings are determined by the square footage of your cab. When you opt for the basic standard package, your QRL travels at 40-feet per minute. Quicker speeds may be available depending on the overhead clearance of your hoistway. 

Our MRL elevator is another excellent home lift. Ours is a winding drum overhead motor fully engineered lift. The MRL lift uses two ⅜  of an inch top grade cables to raise and lower the elevator. It also has a variable frequency drive to ensure a smooth and quiet ride. 

If lack of square footage is an issue in your home, an MRL elevator could be the way to go. It doesn’t require a separate machine room, which means you’ll need less space for the installation. 

Click here to learn more about our residential elevator options. 

What are the insurance implications of a home elevator?

Talk to your home insurance provider when you add an elevator to your home. Residential elevators add a lot of value to your home. In the event your home is damaged or destroyed, you need adequate coverage to include the replacement cost of your home.

Who can retrofit an elevator for my home?

Rise Above Elevator is your go-to source for all of your residential elevator needs in South Florida. Whether you’re curious about retrofitting a residential elevator for your home, installing a lift in a new home or an existing building, or how to maintain your elevator, give us a call today. 

In addition to residential elevators, we offer wheelchair lift installation and service, as well as dumbwaiter installation and service. We’re also proud to have the shortest wait times from contract to elevator installation.

Whether it’s for a residential elevator or another residential lift, we can help. Call today us today!