Anonymous wrote:I have cousins who added one that looks like a glass tube. I know it was added as their mom needed it, but I don’t know the cost or manufacturer. It was installed between the foyer and the bedroom above (probably in the basement too for the mechanicals).

That's a pneumatic vacuum elevator.
https://www.vacuumelevators.com/

Anonymous wrote:My friend has an elevator. It is broken more than it works. Home based elevators require operators to use them perfectly every single time or else you get locked out. Its a pain. You cant maintain them yourself either and the few companies that do manage them charge a ridiculous amount per visit for repair. For her it was every week because someone didnt close the door all the way.

User incompetence is not the fault of the elevator.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My in-laws have one. It’s relatively small, maybe 2 to 3 people fit.

The outside of it looks like a closet door. It goes to 3 floors of their home, including basement. They built the elevator iwhen they built the home, eg it was always part of their plans.. I don’t know how much they paid. I do know they have to get it inspected routinely.

Thanks. Curious about folks who added the elevator after the house was already built.

I know someone who did this, but the house was built with stacked closets so they put it there. A stair lift is much more practical. Elevators break a lot.

This is what my in-laws did, installing in stacked closets which functioned as an elevator shaft. They had no reliability issues. An elevator is more versatile than a stair lift, which cannot move a wheelchair and which cannot transport much of anything other than a person.

Some homes are specifically built to be "elevator-ready", with stacked closets and a "pit" in the basement foundation for future elevator mechanicals. Installing an elevator in a house like that still results in the loss of the affected closets.

We also have an elevator, designed to be part of the house and installed when the house was constructed, so we didn't lose any closets or other space originally meant for other purposes. Those types of installations are typical in more expensive homes. We have had no reliability issues.

Companies which sell residential elevators can provide information about installation feasibility and costs.

Stairlifts work well, just do that.

Anonymous wrote:And if you have young children, or anticipate grandchildren while at the house, just don't do it -- far to many accidents involving inhome elevators

My parents’ elevator has a built phone and they retain their land line.

I have not. But I am acquaintances with an elevator repair man and he is a millionaire lol.

My friend has an elevator. It is broken more than it works. Home based elevators require operators to use them perfectly every single time or else you get locked out. Its a pain. You cant maintain them yourself either and the few companies that do manage them charge a ridiculous amount per visit for repair. For her it was every week because someone didnt close the door all the way.

It would probably be simpler to move than to try and fit an elevator into a house that isn't configured for it.