How much does a lift cost?

The purchase of an elevator is not only a financial investment, but also the use of resources aimed at increasing the value, comfort and accessibility of your living spaces. That’s why the question “how much does an elevator cost?” is a crucial step in evaluating the different opportunities available to you and making the decision that best suits your needs.

When installing a lift in a house or apartment building, in fact, there are several factors that can influence the price: for example, the state and structure of the building, whether or not masonry work is necessary, the type of lift, the number of floors. This means that the cost of the lift is only one of the variables to be included in the overall expense. This expense also involves the various workers involved in the project.

So let’s get to the heart of the matter to allow you to plan your investment with greater peace of mind and clarity.

1. Elevator cost: the variables that affect the expense

The cost of a lift can vary considerably depending on a number of factors. Understanding these elements will help you not only to better evaluate the different options available but also to manage your budget more consciously. Here are the main variables that we recommend you take into consideration:

• Characteristics of the building: a building in the historic center, a single-family house or a multi-story condominium, a new building or one to be renovated, a building with space for an internal elevator or a building where it is necessary to opt for an external system. The state and type of a building affect the additional work required to install the elevator and, therefore, have an impact on the total cost you will have to pay.
• height and number of floors of the building: the vertical distance that the elevator must travel influences its price. Elevators that must serve more floors or reach greater heights will require more complex components and systems, which will have an impact on the price.
• technology and functionality: modern elevators can offer a wide range of additional components, such as advanced control systems, digital screens, LED lighting and much more. These features can significantly increase the initial cost, but they can also offer advantages in terms of efficiency and comfort.
• design and customization: if you want a lift that perfectly integrates with the style and architecture of your home, a customized design of the system may be necessary. In this case, the elevator may involve additional costs.
• Operation and maintenance: from the moment of the lift test to the routine maintenance phases, up to the two-yearly lift check required by law, you will also have to include these maintenance costs in the overall cost.
• Type of lift: we will discuss this last item in more detail below.

2. Lift prices by system type

In our complete guide to lifts, we have shown you the different types of elevator on the market to help you choose the one that best suits your needs. Let’s take that classification again to clarify how the way the system works can determine the different prices of the elevator.

• Electric elevators (also called rope or counterweight elevators): these are operated by an electric machine that moves the cabin up and down by means of steel ropes. They use a counterweight that balances half the load so that the motor can move the cabin using less energy. They can reach a considerable speed and are suitable for all types of buildings.
• Self-regenerating electric elevator: this is the exclusive technology of one of ARE’s jewels. We are talking about the electric elevator Zen-0: the battery-powered elevator that allows intelligent energy management with minimal impact on the resources needed for power supply. The energy generated by ZEN-0 during use is not dispersed in the form of heat as in traditional electric elevators, but is stored in batteries to be used in subsequent runs. This recovery system is able to function even during blackouts and guarantees unique energy savings in the sector.
• Hydraulic (or oleodynamic) elevators: these work thanks to a piston system with pressurized oil positioned at the bottom and activated by an electric motor. They can reach a maximum speed of about 70 meters per minute. They require a machine room and are mainly used in buildings with 2 to 8 floors. They have a higher energy consumption.
• Elevators without a machine room (or MRL, Machine Room-Less): these can be either hydraulic or electric, but their main feature is that they don’t need a separate machine room. All the electrical and mechanical components are installed inside the elevator shaft, while the control panel is positioned next to the elevator door on the top floor. This is a considerable advantage in terms of space and elevator installation.

Basically, each type of system has a different price.

3. Price of internal elevators

As you will have realized by reading this far, it is not possible to determine the exact price of an elevator without first taking into account the technical specifications of the system, the characteristics of the building and any masonry or accessory adaptation work that may be necessary. Each situation requires a specific quote. In general, however, we can tell you that the cost of an internal elevator varies according to the type of system (electric, self-regenerating, hydraulic, MRL), the particular features of the building, the number of floors, the finishes and materials chosen, and the labor involved in the project.

4. Price of elevators for 2, 3, 4 floors

We have seen that when it comes to evaluating the cost of installing an indoor elevator, there are several factors that influence the overall budget. Among the many, one of the main ones is the number of floors in the building where the elevator will be installed. In general, the cost increases proportionally to the number of floors served by the elevator.

5. Outdoor elevator price

What we have just said also applies to external elevators, which are characterized by a metal structure placed outside the building to house all the elevator components. This is the ideal solution in all structures that lack the space necessary for a lift shaft or in all buildings located in areas with a high landscape impact. A highly customized glass cabin allows passengers to fully enjoy the view during both the ascent and descent phases. These special features can greatly affect the cost of an external elevator.

6. Price of 2, 3, 4-story external elevators

As mentioned for the cost of indoor elevators with multiple floors, the price of outdoor elevators also varies according to the number of floors. But this is not the only factor that affects the estimate. In fact, other factors such as the elevator’s technical specifications, the complexity of the installation and the materials used can also increase the final price.

In any case, remember that until December 31, 2025, you can take advantage of the bonus elevators 2024 and get a 75% IRPEF deduction on expenses incurred to install or replace the elevator system in existing buildings used as homes, workplaces and service places. In our dedicated article you can find a real guide full of useful information.

7. Contact ARE for a personalized elevator quote

At ARE we study and design all the specifications of our elevators in-house to offer you the highest quality and the guarantee of “tailor-made” projects. The heart of each of our elevator systems is green and beats with electrical and electronic components designed by our technical staff. The same goes for the final inspection of all mechanical parts, aimed at verifying effective compliance with your specific requests.

Contact us for a personalized quote: we will direct you to our local dealer.