Yes, the difference is all in the type of drive system you choose for your elevator. The 5 types are roped hydraulic, winding drum, counter weight, vacuum and now gearless. Please check your local and state codes in regards to vacuum elevators. Each system has its advantages and cost considerations. The winding drum is the least expensive of the five. Please see our article on home elevator drive systems for more information.
Not necessarily. Although most elevators require a pit, there are a couple of models available that do not require a pit. The Telecom by Savaria pit-less elevator opens new options for installation of elevators in existing applications without costly slab cuts and reinforcing. The Matot Advantage requires no pit and no machine room. Check out our Pit-less Home Elevators article for more options.
For new homes, a 6" pit depth is the minimum but a pit depth of 8" is usually preferred. With most elevators if you do not create at least a 6" pit you will have a 6" step to get into the cab. If you are installing an elevator with two speed sliding doors you will need a pit depth of 12".
Yes, residential elevators are safe as long as you follow the rules set forth by code and manufactures recommendations. All home elevators are not created equal. Make sure that the elevator you purchase follows all safety requirements and your contractor is licensed by the state to do business in your area. We require, and the law requires, every elevator that we install is inspected by an independent, certified and licensed inspector.
Residential elevators are not expensive when you consider the benefits and resale value to your investment. An elevator that meets all safety requirements will start closer to $18,000 to $20,000 installed. Do not be fooled by elevators you can buy on the internet for a lot less. Safety, reliability, and service are key to enjoying your elevator for years to come, and you will pay more for the guarantee. We represent 5 different companies who have been in business for many years. To have the privilege to sell their products, we meet all of their requirements for financial stability, qualified personnel, and service.
Yes is the short answer. You need to consult with your accountant on how the tax advantage may affect you, however, if you have a medical necessity and have a prescription from a licensed physician, the sales tax would be waived and also a percentage based on your annual income may be deducted.
Absolutely not, with the preparation of the proper elevator specification tender you can request competitive quotations knowing that the tender documents will specify the performance level that is required from the equipment upon completion of the modernization/upgrade program.
For the most part, no. There are a number of independent elevator parts manufacturing companies that manufacture exclusively elevator parts for all types and manufacturers of elevating equipment. However, an assessment must be carried out on those elevator companies proposing to tender on the maintenance/service to ascertain that they have the necessary skills and technical support system in place in the event they encounter major breakdowns
Options include hole less hydraulic, in-ground hydraulic, traction, machine room less and roped hydraulic. Each type has a price and a length of travel they are usually recommended for. Avoid being pigeonholed by choosing a company that can’t provide all types of elevators. Also, any quality elevator consultant or elevator company should be able to help you determine the best option.
Proprietary parts can mean short-term savings but long-term headaches. It is best to avoid them if possible and purchase an elevator with non-proprietary parts. Even the National Association of Elevator Contractors is objecting to the use of proprietary parts because it drives up costs.
When thinking about purchasing an elevator, a maintenance agreement has to be part of the thought process. Go over the contracts with a fine tooth comb and realize many have clauses that are five-year deals with automatic increases built in. Here is a series of articles on contracts that you should look at before you buy.
Depending on the type of conveyance for the elevator and usage, annual costs will vary.
Normally jacks, which are large pistons, given that they’re just a couple pieces of steel, last indefinitely. The seals need to be replaced periodically, but the metal parts live on and on for decades. The main reason you’d need to replace one is that it’s buried in the ground and if the exterior cylinder rusts out oil can leak. If this happens, the elevator could drop suddenly and you also could create an environmental mess.
If you drop a penny in the crack between the elevator car and landing where does it go? This question has plagued mankind since Archimedes built the first elevator in 236 BC. Where does everything that’s dropped down that crack end up? The answer is the pit, the area that is at the bottom of the hoistway underneath the car. So besides dropped pennies, you can find credit cards, rat poison, food and lots and lots of dirt.
When you’re riding in an elevator car and look up, either out of boredom or to avoid eye contact with your fellow passengers, all you typically see is a ceiling, some lights and maybe an exhaust fan. But, if you look closely, you might make out the outlines of an escape hatch, a small door in the ceiling of elevators. Have you ever let your mind wander and imagined what might be on the other side of that trap door?
The big elevator companies have been forcing customers to sign long-term contracts that are rarely fair, rarely fit and cost way too much for the services provided. It seems that elevator owners are stuck with no choice and little recourse but, you can go out and get a new, better contract. If you find your self in an unfair contract,
You are waiting for the elevator’s familiar ding and the doors to open when you hear an unexpected clunk. On the other side of the stainless steel doors you hear muffled voices, “I think we’ve stopped.” “What do we do?” and you’re the guy in charge of the building that day. The next thing you hear is a loud alarm bell and you’re sure you’re going to be on the other end of the line coming from inside the elevator car. Instead of panicking or worrying, you can help. When you are in charge and someone gets stuck, there are some simple yet important steps to take to make sure the passengers stay safe and you get the elevator moving as quickly as possible.
Here are some basic questions to help building owners separate the quality, professional maintenance providers from the pretenders when shopping for a new alternative. Remember quality elevator maintenance companies will never object to these questions and will more than likely appreciate that fact that you are doing research
If you’ve shopped for elevator maintenance, you know that contracts come in two flavors. Before we sample both of them, you should understand that regardless of the contract flavor, the work that is actually done on your elevator should be the same. The contract type only governs how the work is paid for.
Just like the routine digestive maintenance that our bodies require, an elevator needs to have a routine to keep things moving too. But, now that routine has changed thanks to our friends at Bigg Elevator. It seems that Bigg Elevator has found a new way to pad its bottom line, by misusing the word “regular” in their contracts.
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