New houses with built-in elevators

Just looking at a home with a built-in elevator. Does anyone have one of these? I'd like to know annual operating cost, maintenance, problems etc. Also I know that in commercial elevators a licence is required. Is the same true for a residential use?

You annual operating costs are pretty low. There are virtually no wear items. Some points need lubrication on a scheduled basis. Yearly or twice a year.

Residential elevators do not need any licence for operation. They fall into the same category as porch lifts and stair lifts.

CM

Gee...where are these located? I haven't seen any new homes w/them. I have been in a home that had one put in (retrofitted)...cool.

Check this out.

Thanks everyone!
There is a redevelopment area in old Oakville that offers these in the units! Basically, they are offering these to empty nesters who have mobility issues.

I've worked in a number of homes with elevators. I do not see any operating license stickers on them. I just know that I have to wire the phones up in them.

What a waste of money. Are people really getting that fat and lazy that they can't walk up and down stairs?

I highly doubt its a matter of fat and lazy... Rather a matter of deteriorating health and mobility. Might be a touch difficult to climb stairs everyday if you're crippled with severe arthiritis or have reoccuring hip issues/replacements... All these things to look forward to as we age... sigh.

Originally Posted by MaDgamEr

I highly doubt its a matter of fat and lazy... Rather a matter of deteriorating health and mobility. Might be a touch difficult to climb stairs everyday if you're crippled with severe arthiritis or have reoccuring hip issues/replacements... All these things to look forward to as we age... sigh.

+1! That's exactly what it is. Sk1nnywallet seems to forget that as a society we are quickly ageing. With ageing comes lots of mobility problems. Not all of us like to or wish to live in bungalows, hence the need for some forethought to keep us in our homes as seniors.

As property values increase, and with the Provincial mandate "Places to Grow", there are more demands to develop (or redevelop) existing properties within the urban core. In order for the houses to be marketable to an aging population, builders are building higher up, and therefore adding elevators. It's all about mobility, and not being lazy!

Originally Posted by sk1nnywallet

What a waste of money. Are people really getting that fat and lazy that they can't walk up and down stairs?

These are all in homes for older retired people. One of them has some breathing problems and walking from basement to second floor would completely wind him.

Another set of homes have 5 levels. That's a lot of stairs.

Originally Posted by Bees

Gee...where are these located? I haven't seen any new homes w/them.

I know of two new townhomes schemes in North York that have private elevators. Considering they are 3 story townhomes plus basement, I say it's a great idea for our aging population.

http://www.shanebaghai.ca/gabes/
http://www.aspenridgehomes.com/be/index.htm

I agree that they're a good idea for those who need it. I just saw a resale home in Milton, Ontario with an elevator that went from basement to second-story, with a stop at the indoor garage entrance as well. I tried it and it was a fairly smooth ride.

For me it would be ideal as my immobile 82-year-old mother has recently moved in with me. Currently she is in a suite in my walk-out basement, but when I consider moving into a new home, I have to think of her and how hard it is for her to climb stairs. A bedroom on the main floor (in the traditional office or den or even family room) puts her at kitchen-level with no bathtub. Upstairs, she has no kitchen but can bathe. An elevator would open up the whole house for her.