How Much Does It Cost To Install An Elevator?
Home Elevator Cost
Installing a home elevator costs $2,000 to $60,000, or $30,000 on average. You'll pay $1,000 to $40,000 for the equipment and $1,000 to $20,000 for installation. Price depends mostly on the type. An outdoor lift runs $2,000 to $10,000, while a pneumatic vacuum style ranges from $35,000 to $60,000.
Residents of multi-level homes can benefit from installing an elevator or lift, especially if you're a wheelchair user or those planning to age in place. This project increases the total value of the property and makes it more accessible.
Home Elevator Pricing by Type
With a range of $2,000 to $60,000, home elevator pricing varies significantly by type. The cheapest options usually have extra limits on installation and may not be large enough for wheelchairs.
| Pneumatic | $35,000 - $60,000 |
| Vertical Platform Lift | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Hydraulic | $30,000 - $50,000 |
| Outdoor Lift | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Shaftless | $15,000 - $25,000 |
Residential Elevator Cost
A residential elevator costs $2,000 to $60,000. This includes $1,000 to $40,000 for the cabin and equipment and $1,000 to $20,000 for installation.
| Elevator Kit | $1,000-$40,000 |
| Installation | $1,000-$20,000 |
| Total | $2,000-$60,000 |
Residential Elevator Cost Per Floor
If you want an elevator that moves more than one story, you should add $5,000 to $15,000 per floor. Most residential options assume an 84” maximum cab height and no more than four floors. Some styles, like vertical platform lifts or shaftless models, only travel two floors.
| 2-story | $2,000 - $60,000 |
| 3-story | $7,000 - $75,000 |
| 4-story | $12,000 - $90,000 |
Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator Cost
A residential glass elevator costs $35,000 to $60,000. Pneumatic styles use vacuum pressure to move the cab from one floor to the next. These are like the tubes and canisters you might see in a drive-through at the bank.
The cabs of pneumatic elevators are glass, which lends a modern look to the home and provides a view as passengers ride up or down between floors. They cannot be concealed easily within walls and are meant to be visible.
Vertical Platform Lift Cost
Cargo lift prices range from $5,000 to $20,000. This type doesn’t need a shaft, so it takes less money and time to install than other options. It’s popular among wheelchair users and homeowners who want mobility assistance without as much expense.
A motorized system moves the platform, not unlike a forklift. Most homeowners prefer this style when they only need to clear a few stairs like they would for a split-level home.
Hydraulic Elevator Cost
Hydraulic elevators cost $30,000 to $50,000. These units use a hydraulic arm that physically lifts and lowers the cab.
It is relatively quiet compared to the cable models in larger apartment buildings. Most cabins are 15 square feet, large enough for multiple passengers or wheelchair users.
Outdoor Elevator Lift Cost
An outdoor elevator lift costs $2,000 to $10,000. This type operates as a vertical lift, but it's designed for an outdoor installation.
Shaftless Elevator Cost
A shaftless elevator costs $15,000 to $25,000. It's ideal for single-person use in small spaces and can only travel up to one floor. If you're updating an existing home, its small footprint is least likely to disrupt your floorplan. Installation requires drilling through your ceiling or attaching the unit to your home's exterior.
Elevator Installation Cost
Elevator installation costs $1,000 to $20,000, depending mostly on the type. The price you pay relates to the difficulty of the project. If you need to carve out 25 to 40 square feet on each floor and build a separate shaft, you’ll spend more than if you’re simply installing equipment on the side of a staircase.
Installation Cost Breakdown
Installing the elevator includes $500 to $15,000 to get the area ready for the cabin and $500 to $5,000 for labor. Remember that lifts usually require a lot less work, so those prices are lower.
| Site Preparation | $500 - $15,000 |
| Labor | $500 - $5,000 |
| Optional Additional Door | $3,000 - $5,000 |
Freight Elevator Cost
A freight elevator costs $75,000 to $150,000. Unlike most residential options, this type may use cables to move. This requires an additional machine room on the ground floor for the system that controls the cables.
Church Elevator Cost
Installing a church elevator costs $20,000 to $50,000. This type is usually hydraulic, with a small cabin of about 10 to 15 square feet. It’s popular for installation in older buildings like churches.
Traction Elevator Cost
Traction elevators cost $50,000 to $80,000, but each floor adds to the price. It moves around 500 feet per minute, compared to 150 feet per minute for a hydraulic one. That makes it ideal for high-rise buildings.
Escalator Cost
Installing an escalator costs $100,000 to $200,000, depending on size and whether you have to retrofit. Although small systems might technically fit in a house, their footprint is usually too large. In most cases, you'd be better off with an elevator inside a home.
Chair Lift Costs
The cost to install a chair lift ranges from $2,000 to $15,000. This project is an affordable alternative, primarily for people who struggle to manage stairs.
