Our design firm, Jigsaw Design Group, is based in beautiful Manhattan Beach, California. Coupled with living the beach lifestyle is the desire for the coveted ocean view from our homes. Therefore, in order to reach that view, we often stretch design to dizzying heights to get it; a three or four story home is the norm even if you’re across the street from the beach. Meanwhile, all of those floors come with a price and it’s not just about $$ but about climbing all those STAIRS! To conquer the multitude of steps to the top, builders are placing full size residential elevators in almost all new builds here at the beach.
While this idea is a growing trend all across the country, the elevator is not limited to 3 or 4 story homes. Two story homes everywhere are taking this leisurely way up too…and also in style. Let’s face it, life is busy and anything to make home life more convenient is priceless.
Custom elevators are not the sterile designs of their predecessors, the cabs, as they are called, that we are seeing installed now are like little jewel boxes, or even museum like in nature. Styles come in circular shapes, all-glass, custom metalwork, and even Swarovski crystal inlaid and layered mirrors like these from DomusLift.
So besides convenience, why add or build to include an elevator? It’s simple…added value. Including an elevator in the design of your home will maximize resale value should you decide to sell your home.
Elevators installed in homes fall require a set of safety regulations that govern how home elevators are manufactured and installed. That code is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Private Residence Elevators A 17.1, so finding a reputable firm is a must to ensure these guidelines are followed.
The Elevator Boutique in Hollywood California offer mind-blowing gorgeous elevators that are power failure safe and energy efficient. Italian designed and known for excellence, the Supermec 3 uses minimal energy and runs from regular power outlet. Additional perks: super luxurious, and does not require a machine room.
Customizing the cabs come in every shape and fashion. Dozens of companies offer this skill set with ability to build out an elevator to perfectly blend your style with this piece of machinery. From white paneling with chair rail, to marble floors and custom metal work, styles run the gamut from rustic to modern.
Bottom-lining it: The New York Times reported in Sep 2016 an average cost of a residential elevator installation at $15,000. This rate was based on a 15 square foot hydraulic elevator of “average” design to carry up to 1,000 pounds. The instillation is figured into a pre-existing home, not a new build.
The cab and hoist way reportedly cost between $15,000 to $100,000 on average. These costs are affected by customization, installation variables like single family home or high-rise apartments, permits, construction and added luxury features like the wine display case in the image below. The number of floors to be accessed also affects the cost for example the two floor system would cost less than a four floor system. Other additions to consider would be a phone for emergencies, which installing one is an additional $50 to $200.
For more information on how you can elevate your life with a residential elevator or images used in this post, please leave a comment below or visit our contact page.
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