Who to Hire to Install Home Elevators

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

If you’re asking who installs home elevators, the answer is a licensed elevator company. This technical work spans structural assessments, electrical integration, and strict code compliance. Pros manage permits, inspections, installations, and safety testing to ensure your system operates safely.

Use this hiring guide to understand pro roles, required expertise, and why DIY or general contractors are not the right fit for elevator installation.

Benefits of Hiring an Elevator Company to Install a Home Elevator

Hiring a licensed elevator company ensures a safe, code-compliant installation from planning through final testing. These specialists assess structure and power, recommend hydraulic, traction, or pneumatic options, and execute precise construction. You also gain quality materials, tailored design choices, and long-term support to keep the system running reliably.

Here are some of the top reasons to hire a licensed elevator company:

• Specialized knowledge across structural, electrical, and hydraulic systems

• Full management of permits and required inspections

• Comprehensive safety checks, including load testing and calibration

• Clear guidance on hydraulic, traction, or pneumatic elevator types

• Custom design recommendations to fit your space and style

• Access to professional-grade tools and high-quality materials

• Ongoing maintenance support after installation

• Code-compliant planning and execution that avoids fines

• End-to-end project management from consultation to handoff

Can I Hire a General Contractor to Install a Home Elevator?

A general contractor is a skilled coordinator, but elevator installation demands elevator-specific training and engineering knowledge. Without that background, a general contractor can miss critical safety regulations, code requirements, or specialized mechanisms, creating risks during installation and long after the system is in use. 

For safe, compliant operation, hire local elevator experts rather than a general contractor for this project to ensure safety and code compliance.

How Do Pros Install Home Elevators?

Elevator companies complete the project from consultation through final inspection, following precise steps that prioritize safety and compliance. Here’s a look at their process:

1. Select a location based on space, structural support, power access, and accessibility flow

2. Obtain building permits and schedule inspections with local officials

3. Inspect the foundation and assess ground conditions for potential issues

4. Install the elevator tower and structural components

5. Set up the hydraulic system and required controls

6. Add safety features such as panels, weather enclosures, doors, and interlocks

7. Test the elevator thoroughly for load capacity, accurate stopping, and safe operation

How Much Does Installing a Home Elevator Cost?

Home elevators cost an average of $4,200, with prices ranging from $700 to $12,000. The total cost depends on the elevator type (hydraulic, traction, or pneumatic), necessary structural adjustments, electrical work, and any custom features or finishes. Permits and inspections also influence pricing. Professional installers can suggest savings that do not compromise safety or quality.