Learn about building elevators for convenience now, accessibility later

Architects and home builders must be knowledgeable of this trend. For a few thousand dollars, contractors serve homeowners' future needs, often building the shaft with initial construction and adding the lift and mechanics as needed. In some plans, an upper story and lower story closet align, clear of plumbing and electrical wires, for eventual use as a shaft.

I recommend: The National Association of Home builders and its research arm, along with AARP, developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to educate the industry and consumers on how to make a house a home for a lifetime. Contractor referral web site ServiceMagic called home elevators a hot trend of 2007 and says demand will continue.

Offer consumers a range of elevator options

Some home builders are opting for a high-tech, efficient home over more square footage. This trend includes earmarking some of their budget for an elevator and other features such as easy-pull drawers that will make a home fit the changing needs of their advanced years. At the International Builders' Show, Waupaca Elevator, a 50-year-old company in Waupaca, Wis., treated members to a lift on its Paca-Ryde roped hydraulic elevators, lauding their minimal wiring and J Rail system, which cuts installation time.

I recommend: Waupaca Elevator offers product and dealer lists, Elevator 101 terminology, home elevator prices and a section for architectural drawings. Residential Elevators, Inc. promotes custom designs. Vertechs has focused on transferring the safety of industrial elevators into the compact and well-designed home elevator. These larger firms can also provide industrial elevators prices.

Respect the law, know the code on residential elevators

Home builders and architects are used to working with state and municipal codes on projects. Commercial elevators and residential elevators are no exception. While residential elevator design and operation may seem straightforward, each unit includes intricate safety devices that require an on-site adjustment and a trained technician to complete the job.

I recommend: In addition to local building code offices, local chapters of the National Association of Home builders are a good resource for updates and classes on local requirements, including for elevators. McGraw Hill Construction sells a building code database, including American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, requirements.