Home Elevators
Home Elevator vs Stair Lift
One moves a seated person. The other moves a wheelchair, a laundry basket, and a future owner.
- Stair lifts cost $2,800–$16,000; elevators $25,000–$100,000.
- A stair lift requires the rider to transfer on and off at each end.
- An elevator carries a wheelchair, a walker, and items in both hands.
- Elevators need floor space on every level; stair lifts need none.
The deciding question
Can the person safely transfer onto a seat at the bottom and off at the top, every time, including at night and when tired? If yes, a stair lift solves the problem at a fraction of the cost. If no, or if a wheelchair must travel between floors, an elevator is the honest answer.
Cost over ten years
Include service. A stair lift service plan runs $150 to $400 a year; an elevator contract runs $300 to $800 plus inspection fees. The gap in ownership cost is far smaller than the gap in purchase price, but the purchase price still dominates.
Keep reading
Marcus Thorne
Senior Editor, Mobility Equipment
Marcus covers stair lifts, home elevators, and platform lifts for Home Access Advisor. He spent eleven years estimating residential remodels before moving into consumer publishing, and he reads dealer quotes for a living — which is why most of his guides start with the line items other sites leave out.
Covers: Stair lifts · Residential elevators · Installation pricing · Dealer quotes
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