Example Home Elevator Projects in Georgetown

Scope of work

The builder frames the shaft; we fit the cab with doors on two sides, rails, drive, landing doors and controls, then connect and test it. The inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install is included. The builder does the pit, framing and wiring, outside our price.

Project overview

In this example, a family is building a three-level house on a narrow lot near downtown Georgetown. The best outdoor space is a deck off the third level, and one of the owners walks with a walker and cannot climb two flights to it.

The elevator gets a cab with doors on two sides. On the lower floors the front door opens as usual; at the third level the back door opens straight onto the deck, so nobody has to cross the room or step over a threshold.

The goal

The goal is a deck that the whole family uses, reached in one ride from the street.

Process

1. Design stage Elevator chosen with a two-sided cab; the deck door and its weather seal drawn into the plans.
2. Foundation The builder forms the pit with the foundation.
3. Framing Three stories of shaft framed to match the elevator plans, with the deck opening in the back wall.
4. Near the end Elevator installed over about two weeks, then inspected by a state-registered elevator inspector.
5. Move-in The owner gets the inspection report, and the controls and power-loss procedure are explained.

Planning right

• A cab with two doors costs more than one with a single door. Decide before the shaft is framed.
• Keep a copy of the inspection report. The city can ask for it before the house is signed off.
• An outside door on the shaft needs a sill and seal that keep rain out. Ask to see the detail.
• Ask how the deck-side cab door locks, so it cannot be opened from the deck.

Scope of work

We give the builder the elevator drawings first. Later we fit the cab, rails, drive, two landing doors and controls in the finished shaft, connect and test it, and include the inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install. The builder handles the pit, the framing and the wiring.

Project overview

In this example, a couple building a two-story house in Leander want an elevator from the start. The couple chose a raised wood floor over a crawl space. The pit, a shallow concrete box under the elevator, is poured with the foundation, so it cannot wait.

The elevator is picked early so its drawings can reach the builder before the foundation is formed. The pit is poured with the foundation, the shaft is framed and lined with plywood beside the stair, and the elevator goes in near the end of the build.

The goal

The goal is an elevator that drops into a house built for it, with the pit and shaft right the first time.

Process

1. Design stage Elevator chosen; pit size, shaft size and power given to the builder.
2. Foundation Pit formed and poured with the foundation.
3. Framing Shaft framed and lined with plywood, power run.
4. Near the end Elevator installed over one to two weeks, then inspected by a state-registered elevator inspector.
5. Move-in Inspection report handed over; controls and the power-loss procedure explained.

Planning right

• Pick the elevator before the foundation is formed. A pit added after the foundation is in costs far more.
• Ask your builder to put the elevator drawings in the plan set they work from.
• The city may hold the move-in sign-off until it has a copy of the elevator inspection report.
• Ask whether the pit needs a drain. Water standing in a pit can stop an elevator.

Scope of work

Drawings, the study and game room corners opened, the floor opened and framed, a shallow pit cut into the slab, the shaft framed and drywalled, a power circuit, the elevator with doors at both floors, trim and paint, testing and the inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install. Expect separate charges for the city permit and any engineer.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 2000s house in Georgetown want to keep their upstairs bedroom, but the stairs are getting hard for one of them. The house has a study downstairs and a game room above it that the children used.

The shaft takes a corner from each of the two rooms. Downstairs the slab is cut for a shallow pit; upstairs the door opens onto the hall at the edge of the game room. Both rooms stay usable, just a little smaller.

The goal

The goal is an elevator that keeps every bedroom and costs only two room corners.

Process

1. First visit Study and game room measured, slab and framing checked.
2. Drawings and permits Shaft drawings and the city building permit for the structural work.
3. Weeks one to three Slab cut for the pit, floor opened and framed, shaft built, power run.
4. Week four The elevator itself takes a week and a half to fit.
5. Finish Trim and paint, then inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector and a walk-through.

Planning right

• A study or a game room often has a corner to spare. Look at the rooms on both floors before you settle on it.
• Cutting a slab for a pit is noisy and dusty for a day or two. Plan around it.
• Ask the installer to book the elevator inspection. The owner gets the report.
• Keep the report with the house papers.

Scope of work

The shaft checked against the new drawings, new rails, drive, controls, a standard wood-panel cab and doors at both floors, the floor around the door protected, testing and the inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install. Taking out and hauling away the old elevator is priced separately.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 2000s house in Georgetown have the elevator the house was built with. It has started to stop between floors, and parts are hard to find.

The shaft beside the stair is sound, so it stays. The old elevator comes out and a new one goes in, with a cab in wood panels that suit the stair and the stone entry. Because a new elevator has been installed, it is inspected by a state-registered elevator inspector before use.

The goal

The goal is a reliable elevator in the same spot, with a cab that suits the entry.

Process

1. First visit Old elevator and shaft checked, the shaft measured for a new model.
2. Order New elevator and cab ordered to fit the shaft.
3. Removal Old elevator taken out over a few days, the entry floor protected (priced separately).
4. Install New rails, drive, cab and doors over about two weeks.
5. Handover Inspection, the report to the owner, and the new controls explained.

Planning right

• An old elevator that keeps stopping is worth a check before it is replaced. Sometimes a repair is enough.
• Ask whether the shaft needs changes for the new model. It is cheaper to know before ordering.
• Protect stone floors and the stair while the old parts come out.
• Keep the old elevator’s manuals and service log for the installer to see.

Scope of work

A one-seat lift, an opening framed in the loft floor, a short stretch of loft railing rebuilt, a new circuit and trim. Testing and the inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install are included.

Project overview

In this example, one owner of a 2010s house in Liberty Hill has a bad hip, and the bedrooms are off an open loft that overlooks the family room. A shaft would take a room the couple do not want to give up.

A through-floor lift rides up from a family room corner and passes through a framed opening in the loft floor. A short piece of the loft railing is changed so the lift opens straight onto the loft.

The goal

The goal is a short ride up to the loft for the owner whose hip hurts, with every room kept.

Process

1. First visit Family room and loft measured, loft framing and railing checked.
2. Day one Opening cut in the loft floor and boxed in; wiring brought to the corner.
3. Days two and three Rails and cab set, railing changed, trim fitted.
4. Handover Inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector, then a ride and the power-loss lowering.

Planning right

• An open loft often has a good spot for a lift, but check the railing and the floor framing first.
• A loft railing has height rules. Ask how the changed section meets them.
• Ask for a copy of the inspection report and keep it with the house papers.
• Two riders need a bigger cab than a one-seat lift offers, so say so early.

Scope of work

A wheelchair-size vacuum elevator, a round framed hole in the upstairs floor, a new circuit and trim. Testing and the inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector that Texas requires after install are included.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 1990s house in Georgetown need an elevator that takes a wheelchair. The house sits on a concrete slab, and they would rather not cut it for a pit.

A vacuum elevator stands on the finished floor, so the slab is left alone. The wheelchair-size model is wider than the one-rider tube, so its floor opening upstairs is larger and framed to carry the load around it.

The goal

The goal is a wheelchair-ready elevator with no pit cut into the slab.

Process

1. First visit Chair measured, the corner and the framing above it checked.
2. Prep Upstairs floor opened and framed, power run.
3. Install Elevator set in two to three days, trim fitted.
4. Handover Inspection by a state-registered elevator inspector, then a practice ride with the chair.

Planning right

• Ask how the door on a round cab opens, and whether a chair can roll in without a turn.
• Slab houses often run plumbing under the floor. Nothing is cut here, so it stays untouched.
• Ask whether a helper can ride beside the chair, or only the chair user.
• Ask for the inspection report and keep it with the house papers.