Home Elevators in BC: Types, Installation and Cost
If stairs are a barrier, and a stairlift is not the right fit, a home elevator is the most complete solution. It is also a bigger project, so it helps to understand the options first. This guide covers home elevators, residential lifts and outdoor options for houses in Vancouver and across BC.
Types of home elevators
- Shaftless (through-floor). A self-contained cab that travels through an opening cut in the floor, with no separate shaft built in the house. Usually the simplest to retrofit.
- Traditional hydraulic or traction. Needs a full shaft and often a machine space. More capacity and customisation, more building work.
- Pneumatic (vacuum). A round cab moving on air pressure. A different look, and a different installation.
The Bruno Connect home elevator
We offer the Bruno Connect, a shaftless through-floor home elevator. It comes in three sizes, Compact, Classic and XL, with options for one or two users. Bruno states a lift capacity of 500 lb. See the Home Elevators page for details.
Indoor and outdoor lifts for the home
A home elevator is an indoor solution that connects floors. For steps at the front door, a porch, a deck or a change in level outside, the usual choice is a vertical platform lift (also called a porch lift or outdoor home lift). We offer Bruno vertical platform lifts, including the VPL-3100 and the VPL-3200. See Bruno platform lifts and our guide to porch lifts and vertical platform lifts.
What installation involves
- A free assessment to see which floors you need to connect, and where a cab could go.
- Measurements and a structural review of the floor opening.
- A quote and an explanation of any permit or inspection requirements for your home.
- Installation, and a walk-through of how to use it.
The timeline and complexity depend on your home. We will explain the plan before you commit.
Typical cost
Home elevators in Canada commonly cost around $35,000 to $65,000 or more installed, depending on the type, the number of floors, finishes and structural work.
Prices are indicative and accurate at the time of publishing; contact us for a current quote.
Elevator, platform lift or stairlift?
A stairlift is lower in cost and quicker to install, and is often enough for one person using one staircase. An elevator suits wheelchair users, people who cannot transfer to a seat, or households that want to carry items between floors. A platform lift suits entrances and outdoor level changes. Compare the options on our Stairs & Lifts page, or read stairlift or porch lift.
Common questions
What is the difference between a home elevator and a home lift?
"Home lift" is a general term for any lift in a house. A home elevator is an enclosed cab that moves between floors. A platform lift is an open platform, usually used outside. A stairlift carries one person up a staircase.
Can a home elevator be installed in an existing house?
Often yes. A shaftless elevator is designed to be fitted into an existing home. We check the floor structure at a free assessment.
Is there an outdoor home elevator?
For outdoor use, a vertical platform lift is the usual choice. See Bruno platform lifts.
Funding programs may help in some cases, see BC RAHA.