Any knowledge re adding an elevator to an older townhome?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any idea about adding elevators to existing homes or townhouses? I’d love to know:
- cost to go up two or three floors;
- best companies in DMV to hire;
- are there certain hard stops re existing electrical or building type?

I’m looking at older units - one group from 50s / 60s / 70s; another from 80s and 90s. Would this be at all a possibility? I welcome referrals to other resources too

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Stairway lifts might be more economical if it works for your situation.

[Anonymous]

Your first problem is figuring out if you can add an elevator in at all due to structural issues. I know people who sought out full houses with only that aspect in mind and turned down 100 homes before finding one that could accommodate an elevator. You are talking about a townhome with even less footage. The second is cost. They are very expensive. Deal only with a reputable company as to both issues. You may also need HOA approval and permits

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stairway lifts might be more economical if it works for your situation.

+1

[Anonymous]

Your best option might be to add the new shaft on the outside so you won’t have to disrupt any of the existing floor framing.

[Anonymous]

No, you can’t. The elevator shaft is a whole structural thing. You’d have to almost tear them down.

But you can add stairlifts. Try Grace in Motion in Virginia. They’re great and can give you options and costs.

[Anonymous]

Retro-fitting an elevator into a house that was not designed for an elevator often requires (usually expensive) structural changes and reinforcement.

It can be done, but might be very expensive.