Home Elevators
Platform Lift vs Home Elevator
For short rises and outdoor access, a platform lift does the job for a third of the price.
- Vertical platform lifts typically cost $8,000–$20,000 installed.
- They are open platforms, best for rises under about 14 feet.
- They are the standard solution for a porch or deck with a tall rise.
- Weather exposure and noise are the main tradeoffs indoors.
Where a platform lift fits
Outdoor entries with more rise than a ramp can handle, garage-to-house level changes, and split-level homes with a half flight. It carries a wheelchair directly, with no transfer.
Where it does not
Full floor-to-floor travel inside a finished home. Platform lifts are louder, slower, and less enclosed than an elevator, and most codes limit their travel height.
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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