Buying any home is a time of excitement and new beginnings. Buying a home that comes with a previously installed elevator? Now that’s an extra bonus! Home elevators have a lot of perks, like bringing an added touch of luxury and ease of mobility to the home. However, to make the most of this special home feature, it’s critically important to know the right questions to ask when purchasing a home with a home elevator.
Beyond learning the condition of the home elevator and its maintenance history, it’s also essential to secure the support of a reputable home elevator company so that you know your new-to-you elevator will be in top condition for years to come.
Here are seven questions to ask that will help you get a complete understanding of your new home’s elevator.
1. Is the Elevator Safe and Operational? Has It Been Inspected?
Before you set foot in the home elevator, you’ll want to know if it is safe and operational and if the previous owners have kept up with regular maintenance. Maintenance frequency requirements may vary by equipment type or by local jurisdiction. Be sure to consult a local home elevator service company who is familiar with code requirements applicable in your area.
2. Does the Elevator Have a Working Phone? (This Is a Requirement!)
All home elevators must have working phones before the elevator is considered operational. (No, bringing your cell phone into the elevator with you does not count.) If there is no phone or dial tone present, Arrow Lift may have a solution to help ensure that your home elevator complies with this requirement.
3. Who Installed the Elevator, and Are They Still Maintaining It?
There should be ample documentation regarding the company that installed the home elevator and whether or not the original installer is still providing maintenance. For instance, Arrow Lift leaves a sticker inside each home elevator we install that includes our contact information. We also offer service plans to make regular maintenance simple.
5. Does It Meet Safety Requirements/Need Baffles?
As you’d expect from any product, home elevator safety requirements are continually adjusting to meet the latest safety standards. Read up on how often home elevators need inspection so you will know if the elevator in the home you are purchasing has been kept up to date.
Some older elevator models have required safety updates to prevent accidents. For example, a few models of home elevators installed with swing-style landing doors have needed the addition of a piece of equipment known as a baffle to reduce gaps between the elevator car and landing. The elevator manufacturer should have contacted the existing homeowner if this safety addition was necessary, but it’s always a good idea to inquire about the latest safety requirements.
6. How Often Do You Need to Maintain an Elevator? When Is the Last Time It Was Serviced?
Generally, home elevators must be serviced twice a year at six-month intervals. Even if the elevator appears to be in solid working order, home elevators should be on a regular maintenance schedule to catch any potential issues before they become significant or lead to a breakdown of the equipment.
If the homeowner indicates the elevator has not been serviced in the last six months, it could be a sign that it needs better care. Even if you intend to leave the elevator dormant after purchasing the home, you will still want to obtain service records to ensure it is up to code before you acquire the property.
7. Have You Had Any Issues With the Elevator, and Is There Documentation of Repairs?
If the home elevator has had previous operational issues or defects, you will want to know the extent of any problems and how they were resolved. Ask to see proper documentation of repairs and note whether or not a reputable home elevator company did them. Home elevators are not a place to experiment with do-it-yourself maintenance.
If You’re Inheriting a Home Elevator, Arrow Lift Can Help!
Perhaps your home-buying journey had you seeking out a house with an existing residential elevator. Or, your dream home just happened to contain one. Either way, asking the right questions about the lift will ensure you can make the most of this beneficial feature.
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of having the support of a reputable home elevator company at your side as you purchase a home with a home elevator. With more than 35 years of experience in the home lift industry, you can trust Arrow Lift to be your partner for all your home elevator needs!