Luxury Home Elevator FAQ in California
Frequently Asked Questions on Luxury Home Elevators in California
Q: Why should I use Diamond Home Elevator?
A: Diamond Elevators team of experienced professionals with over 35 years of experience will work to ensure your elevator project meets your expectations. Read more about us here!
Q: How much room do I need to plan for installation? For a typical home elevator, a rough hoistway space is 5’ x 5’. However, get the elevator professionals involved upfront to best define the equipment space and requirements.
A: Subject to equipment type and local codes. Please contact us to go over your specific project.
Q: How deep should my pit be for the home elevator?
A: 12”- 16” is the Diamond Home Elevator minimum pit depth to allow for the highest level of safety allowing the use of a spring buffer in the pit.
Q: How much overhead do I need?
A: Overhead is the measurement from the top floor to the top of the elevator hoistway known as overhead space. This space allows the elevator to travel to the top floor with enough space for the equipment on top of the elevator. The overhead requirements are subject to the type of equipment, cab, door heights, and speed. The minimum is 96”, 108”, 112”, 120” and 134” are based on taller elevators, doors, etc. 120” is very common for homes with 8’ doors. 112” is common for homes with 7’ doors.
Q: How many floors can a home elevator serve?
A: Our luxury home elevators can serve 6 floors at maximum.
Q: Does my home elevator need to be serviced, and if so, how often?
A: Most manufacturers recommend at least two service visits per year. Often, we are contacted to service elevators that have not been serviced in many years, and the repair costs are much higher when a professional is not maintaining your elevator on a continuousl basis. Most manufacturer’s warranties require the equipment to be under some form of regular service or the warranty is voided.
Q: Will my home elevator be able to accommodate a wheelchair?
A: Private luxury home elevators are not required to meet the ADA guidelines as required on public elevator and lifts. However, subject to the use the home elevator can be configured with a larger car size to accommodate a wheelchair and attendant. Additionally, the elevator doors can be made to operate automatically via sliding doors on the elevator and in the hallway like commercial elevators.
Q: What is the better elevator system for a home elevator: hydraulic, winding drum, chain drive, or vacuum?
A: Traction-based elevators, geared, or roped winding drums require the least amount of service. A common thought is hydraulic elevators are quiet and low maintenance. While hydraulic elevators are still popular, the industry is moving away from hydraulic due to hydraulic oil, seal replacement costs and the amount of square footage required for the machine room mechanical space. Each elevator application is subject to the project specifications and Diamond Elevator can help you define the right product for the application. Make Diamond part of your project team today!
Q: How long is the warranty and what’s covered?
A: The manufactures warranty is determined by each manufacturer. Some warranties are 2 years while others are 3 years with an option for longer terms such as 5 years. The labor is typically warranted for one year after the elevator is placed into service. The warranty covers installation, parts, and service during normal working hours labor. What’s not covered is overtime, weekend calls, and vandalism. Often the warranty service calls are a result of operator error. Diamond trains the homeowner of proper use of the elevator and dos and don’ts! Diamond has 24/7 emergency service available for our customers.
Have a question that wasn’t addressed in our Luxury Home Elevator FAQ page or General Home Elevator Installation FAQ page? Contact us today to get your answers!
