Customizable hydraulic elevator final - watermark_drawing board.pdf

1. What is a small home elevator?

Small home elevator has small size which can fit in different kinds of house. No matter your house is one-story house, two-story home or villa, you can always find a small home elevator to decorate your house, and make your living more convenient and comfortable. A small home elevator doesn’t require machine room or deep pit, you don’t need to change your house structure to meet with our small home elevator, we can customize home elevator based on your house structure.

Here I will introduce 3 models of small home elevator for your reference:

a. Hydraulic small home elevator

This hydraulic elevator is the cheapest model of small home elevators, it moves up by the power of hydraulic pump and hydraulic cylinder, and it moves down by the self weight and passenger weight, which means it doesn’t use power when go down. The advantage of hydraulic small home elevator is that the cost is lower than the other models of small home elevator, it’s easy for installation and maintenance. You don’t need to maintain or check it regularly, you just need to change the hydraulic oil every 2-3 years. Also, we use oil immersed type mute pump, there’s no noise when you use it.

The decoration of our hydraulic small home elevator is multiple, we have stainless steel cabin, glass cabin and etching plate cabin with different color options. For the ceiling and flooring, we also have many patterns for your choice. We have aluminium alloy and tempered glass shaft to cover the whole home elevator, to protect the elevator and passenger well.

The hydraulic small home elevator is economical, energy conservation, easy for installation, it can be customized according to your requirements.

b. Hydraulic capsule small home elevator

This capsule small home elevator is our new design, it only can work for 2 floors, but it’s supper small and cute. It just needs about 1 square meter area for installation. This is kind of a standard product, it is oval shape and it has standard size. This small home elevator doesn’t require machine room or pit, it is suitable for the houses that only have small space prepared for elevator. Also, there will be a steel plate to cover the hole when the elevator is at ground floor, to keep it safe. When the elevator goes up, the cover will be pushed up and the elevator will go through the floor opening.

The decoration of our capsule small home elevator is no glass shaft model, there’s a small chair in the cabin for the elderly, we have black, white, red, gold and blue cabin color for you to choose. The cabin is made of steel, stainless steel and glass. The LOP and COP control is touch screen, you can easily control the small home elevator to go up and down.

c. Traction platform small home elevator

The traction platform small home elevator is our special model, the standard type doesn’t have cabin walls, just a platform with back side wall, so it’s also called “platform lift”. It just need less than 1 square meter for installation. This is steel belt traction elevator, it has all the standard function as traditional traction elevator, such as ARD, anti-slip protection, door interlock protection, system self-inspection, and etc. The standard door is automatic double swing glass door, it won’t open if the platform lift isn’t in position. We use linear encoder as leveling device rather than normal limit switch, this linear encoder is more accurate and smarter, it has self-learning function so it can remember the exact stop position and deceleration position.

The decoration of platform small home elevator is tempered glass shaft and traction elevator, we have many color options and we accept color customization. The cabin is an open space with safety sensor, only the backside can be chosen from marble board or LED board.

2. How much does a small home elevator cost?

Here are the general price ranges you can expect:

1. Elevator Unit (Machine + Cabin + Rails)

$10,000 – $30,000

This covers the main equipment, such as:

• Traction machine or mini hydraulic pump
• Stainless steel or aluminum cabin
• Standard finishes
• Guide rails
• Control cabinet
• Safety systems and emergency features

Cabins with glass walls, premium stainless steel, or custom colors push the price higher.

2. Installation Costs

$4,000 – $15,000

Installation depends heavily on your home’s structure:

• Whether a shaft already exists
• Whether a pit is required
• Number of floors
• Electrical preparation
• Door openings and reinforcement
• Leveling and alignment work

Traction elevators—especially machine-room-less models—typically offer easier installation, while hydraulic lifts may require additional structural and mechanical preparation.

3. Additional Construction Costs

$1,500 – $20,000 (optional)

These extra costs depend entirely on your home’s design:

• Building a shaft
• Cutting floor slabs
• Reinforcing floors or beams
• Creating a pit (usually 100–150 mm)
• Electrical wiring

Homes built with the elevator in mind will have lower preparation costs. Retrofitting older buildings usually costs more because you’re adjusting existing architecture.

Total Price Range:

$12,000 to $40,000

Most homeowners fall between $18,000 and $30,000 for a complete, installed solution.

Small Home Elevator Price Breakdown by Type

Different technologies come with different price tags. Understanding the type that fits your home best helps predict total cost.

1. Traction Elevators (Most Popular Today)

Price: $16,000 – $40,000

These use a counterweight and traction motor. Benefits:

• Energy-efficient
• Quiet operation
• No machine room needed
• Smooth ride
• Ideal for glass sightseeing elevators

Costs vary depending on cabin materials, rail height, and shaft design.

2. Hydraulic Elevators

Price: $15,000 – $35,000

Hydraulic lifts use a pump system to move a piston. They are known for:

• Strong lifting power
• Smooth, stable performance
• Good for heavy loads

They require some maintenance and may need a small machine cabinet. Construction demands are higher, which can increase preparation costs.

3. Pneumatic (Vacuum Tube) Elevators

Price: $25,000 – $50,000

These futuristic tube elevators use air pressure to move the cabin.

Pros:
• Extremely easy installation
• No shaft or pit needed
• Modern, space-saving design

Cons:
• Very pricey per square foot
• Limited load capacity
• Higher noise compared to traction

4. Screw-Drive Elevators

Price: $18,000 – $35,000

These operate via a rotating screw and nut mechanism.

Pros:
• Easy maintenance
• No machine room
• Good for small spaces

Cons:
• Slower speed
• Higher electrical consumption

What Affects the Cost of a Small Home Elevator?

The price can shift depending on factors such as:

Number of Floors

Every additional floor adds:

• More rail
• More wiring
• More installation time
• More materials

Expect roughly $3,000–$6,000 per additional floor.

Cabin Materials

Stainless steel is standard. Glass cabins cost more due to:

• Tempered glass panels
• Extra structural support
• Special frames
• Higher customization labor

A full glass panoramic cabin can add $3,000–$12,000 to the price.

Drive System

Traction → More efficient but pricier.
Hydraulic → Cheaper unit but higher installation demands.
Vacuum → Expensive but easiest to add to existing homes.

Brand and Origin

Factory-direct suppliers from China, such as Huichuang Lift, typically offer:

• Lower base cost
• OEM customization
• CE/ISO-certified safety systems
• Global installation partners

This often lowers the price by 20%–40% compared to Western brands without sacrificing quality.

Customization

Fully customized cabins can raise costs:

• Leather wall panels
• Wooden finishes
• Custom ceiling lights
• Touchscreen panels
• Automatic sliding doors

Expect an additional $1,000–$8,000 depending on the design.

Maintenance Costs

A small home elevator has modest annual maintenance needs.

Typical yearly maintenance cost: $150 – $500

Traction lifts tend to be cheaper to maintain than hydraulic systems, since they don’t rely on oil pumps or valves.

Energy Consumption

Most small home elevators use less power than a hair dryer. Traction lifts are especially efficient because the counterweight balances the load.

• Average monthly electricity cost: $2–$5

Is a Small Home Elevator Worth the Investment?

Many homeowners find that the value far exceeds the cost.

Here’s why:

• Adds resale value and market appeal
• Future-proofs the home for aging in place
• Improves accessibility
• Makes daily life easier (groceries, luggage, children, pets)
• Stylish design adds a modern element

Glass traction elevators, in particular, are becoming popular design statements.

Cost Comparison: New Construction vs. Retrofit

New Construction

Cheaper overall because the shaft can be planned.
Total average: $15,000–$28,000

Retrofit in Existing Home

May require more cutting and reinforcement.
Total average: $18,000–$40,000

How to Reduce Cost When Buying a Small Home Elevator

A few practical tips:

• Choose factory-direct sourcing from China
• Opt for standard cabin materials
• Keep the number of floors to a minimum
• Use manual swing doors instead of automatic doors
• Choose traction MRL over hydraulic if maintenance costs matter

Factory-direct sourcing tends to be the single biggest money saver.

Final Thoughts

The cost of a small home elevator depends heavily on type, customization level, and the structure of your home. With typical complete prices between $12,000 and $40,000, these elevators have become surprisingly accessible. They’re not just a luxury anymore—they’re a practical upgrade that enhances comfort, accessibility, and home value.

Small home elevators are quietly becoming part of modern living. Whether you prefer a clean steel cabin or a panoramic glass design, the technology has reached a point where almost any home can accommodate one.

TUHE GROUP Company Overview

TUHE GROUP is a leading manufacturer of small home elevators, offering a wide range of designs and models tailored to meet various industry standards. With a state-of-the-art factory, we specialize in producing high-quality elevators that ensure safety, reliability, and convenience for homeowners. Our skilled team is dedicated to delivering custom solutions that fit the unique needs of each client, whether for two-floor houses or multi-story buildings. At TUHE GROUP, we provide factory-priced small home elevators, ensuring competitive rates without compromising on quality. We are committed to making mobility more accessible and luxurious for homes around the world.