Residential Elevators

[MarylandMark]

Looking at a house with an elevator in it- any thing I should worry about?

It's a new house so 2 year warranty but don't really know any thing about elevators except most of the people I knows don't go to the top... LOL!

ThyssenKrupp is the brand and LEV is the model

http://www.tkaccess.com/ResidentialElevators/ELlev.asp

 

[Chris]

I just did a ton of research on invalid lifts for my mother. TK is top notch. They're a major industrial player globally.

 

[Bobcat]

that is all we see down here

 

[BBB725]

I've had two, one in a house the other in a condo, both in Florida for resale. The one in the house was OK worked all the time but only had three stops. The condo was set up with 5 stops and constantly had problems with it. Every time you made a service call they came from Miami and charged for it, I became the elevator repair guy for the rest of the units. Biggest problem was making sure the door gearing stayed lubricated.

 

[Buoy]

I would imagine a maint. schedule would be needed, and would be expensive.

 

[Sea-Dated]

I would check with a local service center and see wht you can expect as far as maintenance and expenses.

 

[MarylandMark]

The LEV has a self-monitoring package that evaluates elevator performance to detect problems before they occur. Its compact design, state-of-the-art drive system, and machine-room-free technology also make it easy to maintain. And standing behind it all, you’ll find ThyssenKrupp Access and a full two-year parts warranty.

Local dealer says they will come out for about $300 to check every thing out. He said he would do it every year but if it is running fine one could get away with doing it every few years. TK Corporate says their local guys in Kansas charge $165/hour and it takes about an hour to go over every thing if no major repairs/replacements are needed.

3 story house, no basement and mechanicals are in a pit under the elevator. I'm going to see if I can get the elevator key to raise it so I can take a peek at the mechanicals just so I'll know.

Seems pretty easy- just didn't want it to be one of those nightmarish things you never know about until post purchase.

Kitchen is on 2nd floor and all bedrooms on 3rd floor so not having one would cut out a lot of the population interested when selling- elderly, disabled, etc. Not to meantion me coming home drunk..

$21K installed with basic interior

 

[99fever27]

Cool feature in a house, But I think it would be more of a pain in the azz than anything. my .02

 

[99fever27]

Generally the elderly and disabled don't look for a 3 story house. Especially one that would warrant an elevator. :_boobies:

 

[sledge]

What does your homeowners insurance co think about elevators?

Do you plan on having kids while in this house? Is elevator access "kid secure"?

Once the novelty wears off, it's just one more thing to worry about...

 

[ImaPoser]

Cool feature in a house, But I think it would be more of a pain in the azz than anything. my .02

Nah. They have these things pretty reliable anymore. I could easily see one going three years between servicing.

Generally the elderly and disabled don't look for a 3 story house. Especially one that would warrant an elevator. :_boobies:

As the population ages and home lifts come down in price, it is going to become more common to see these things. I could see these being one of those things that will make a house seem 'too old' to mess with if it doesn't have one twenty years from now.

 

[phragle]

well...if you need an elevator to get it up or to get her to go down.........

 

[Offshoredrillin]

Wouldnt hurt your pudgy lil ass to walk a couple flights Mark...

 

[Bobcat]

Wouldnt hurt your pudgy lil ass to walk a couple flights Mark...

:rofl::rofl:

 

[LaughingCat]

Here's my 2 cents.

Have 3 story house with elevator. Fairly simple. No big maintenance. It works fine. Service call is reasonable.

Have one major recommendation. Either get one with a complete inside gate (covered fully) or have an infrared sensor that stops the elevator if someone is close to inside gate while moving. Mine has that retro-looking scissor gate that you can put your hand through. We had to show our kids why they cannot put their feet through the gate as the floors pass. I stuck an emty water bottle through as we went up. That "guillotine" made a some wicked sounds as it mangled the bottle. Scared them silly.
But my little buddy Louie didn't know any better.

A few weeks ago, we didn't know our 1 year old cat snuck onto the elevator. Later that night, we called it to another floor. I will spare all details, but let's just say he died instantly.

So enjoy the elevator, but take precaution. They are not as safe as a normal elevator.

 

[jayboat]

RIP Louie.

 

[Ratickle]

RIP Louie.

Yep. Sad....

 

[LaughingCat]

thank you both. It was horrible.

 

[MacGyver]

A few weeks ago, we didn't know our 1 year old cat snuck onto the elevator. Later that night, we called it to another floor. I will spare all details, but let's just say he died instantly.

So enjoy the elevator, but take precaution. They are not as safe as a normal elevator.

Wow, I would think a residential elevator would have better safety devices.

 

[MarylandMark]

Elderly / disabled = Elevators are becoming the norm (in my area) with new construction. I'm 37 so hopefully won't "have to have" for a while but it is quickly becoming a must have for re-sale. Kitchen/living on 2nd floor will make grocery shopping and taking out the trash not as much of a chore.

Homeowners insurance = good point; going to check in to that

Kids = I'm allergic to them. Prefer boats, b00bies, booze, bowties (Vette), etc

Wouldnt hurt your pudgy lil ass to walk a couple flights Mark...

LaughingCat= RIP Louie

Safety- call the elevator, then when it hits your floor you have to hit the button again to be able to open the hall door (lock circled in blue in pic), then you have to open a slider (in red) that is a solid accordion type/no scissor door, get in, close accordion and off you go. To get out you have to open the accordion which releases the hall door, get out, then close accordion door and then hall door so it can be called to another floor.