If you have reduced mobility, you might be looking into solutions to help you at home. Home elevators are one of the options available to make getting around your home much easier. Although every mobility solution has its pros and cons, and you may have heard some myths about home elevators, which Multicare Homelifts (specialists in the mobility aid industry for over 35 years) are hoping to debunk, helping you to be more confident in your mobility aid research.
Myth 1: Home Elevators are really expensive to buy
Of course, home elevators don’t come without their expense. The average cost of a Stiltz home lift is around $25,000 to $29,000 from a reputable retailer and installer, plus any additional costs for installation. But there are some ways to help balance out the cost. For instance, some companies offer a financing option to spread the cost longer term, making that initial investment a little less daunting. Also, if you are disabled or have a long term illness, you may be eligible for a grant to help cover the costs of adapting your home.
Also, something to bear in mind is that installing a home elevator can help protect or increase the value of your property. Finally, if in the event you didn't want your home elevator anymore, you could generally recoup up to half of its value.
Myth 2: Home Elevators are ugly and look out of place
In general, home mobility aids aren’t renowned for their aesthetics, and some words that come to mind when thinking about them are clunky, clinical and frumpish. However, home elevators by comparison are sleek and stylish. They can definitely add a modern look to your home. Plus there are some bespoke and customizable options to help them fit in with your current home decor, such as carpet, rail and lift car colours.
And if you still don't particularly want them on show, Stiltz home lifts are compact and can have a footprint as small as 0.55m2 meaning they can easily be tucked out of the way in the corner of the room, and some people have their home elevator installed inside a cupboard so the door can cover it while not in use.
Myth 3: Home Elevators are expensive to run
A common misconception is that because home elevators are big, they must use a lot of energy. With the cost of living on the rise, we understand how many people would be conscious about a home elevator adding to their already increasing energy bills. But, the good news is that Home elevators are extremely energy efficient. All the home lifts in the Stiltz range operate from a standard 13 amp plug which is the same as a small kitchen appliance, such as a kettle.
Many Home Elevator installers offer service and maintenance plans as well, to ensure smooth running and operation of the home elevator, reducing the risk of a more costly breakdown.
Myth 4: Home Elevators take a long time to install
Home Elevator installation is actually quicker and more straightforward than you might think! Planning permission, which is a lengthy process in itself, is not usually required for a home elevator. Due to the way that some home lifts are made without the need for load-bearing walls, building works are usually minimal, and the home elevator company will have an experienced and qualified building team available to advise and ensure minimum disruption. If there is no major building work required, a home lift can typically be installed in 1 day.
Myth 5: Home Elevators are noisy
Home elevators are a far cry from the hydraulic and traction lifts we see in more commercial settings. Thanks to the non-hydraulic mechanism, Home elevators are very quiet while operating and you’ll notice minimal disturbance in your home while it’s being used.
If you've been considering getting an at-home mobility aid installed for you, a relative or a loved one, hopefully your opinion on home elevators has now improved!
