Do you need a permit to install a shaftless home elevator?

Most jurisdictions require a building permit, typically $200–$500. Your Stiltz dealer usually handles the permit application. Some rural areas have no requirement — check with your local building department.

Does Medicare cover home elevators?

Medicare does not cover home elevators. However, VA Specially Adapted Housing grants cover up to $117,014 in home modifications, and many states offer Medicaid HCBS waivers that can cover part or all of the cost.

How much weight can a Stiltz elevator hold?

Standard Stiltz Duo elevators hold 450–550 lbs. The wheelchair-accessible Trio handles the same weight range with a larger cab. For heavier loads, a shaft elevator with 750–1,000 lb capacity may be better.

How long does a shaftless elevator last?

A well-maintained shaftless elevator typically lasts 20–25 years. Annual maintenance contracts ($200–$400/year) help catch wear before it causes breakdowns.

Can a shaftless elevator run during a power outage?

Stiltz elevators include battery backup that lowers the cab to the nearest floor during an outage so you're not stranded. Some models offer optional full-battery backup for continued operation during short outages.

Best Shaftless Home Elevator: Why We Recommend Stiltz (2026)

Our Pick: Stiltz Shaftless Home Elevators

For most families adding an elevator to an existing home, we recommend Stiltz. It costs $20,000–$40,000 installed, needs no shaft or pit, installs in 1–3 days, and fits in roughly 5x5 feet of floor space. No other option combines that speed, footprint, and price.

After researching every major home elevator type — shaft, hydraulic, pneumatic, stairlift, and shaftless — we keep coming back to Stiltz for a straightforward reason: it delivers real elevator functionality with the least construction, the fastest install, and the most competitive pricing for retrofit homes.

Stiltz is a UK-based manufacturer with a nationwide US dealer network. Their dual-rail system is self-supporting (it doesn’t load your walls or framing), runs on a standard 220V outlet, and requires no hydraulic fluid, pit, or machine room.

Get a free in-home assessment from Stiltz →

What Is a Shaftless Elevator?

A shaftless elevator is a self-contained home elevator that requires no shaft, pit, or machine room. The entire system — motor, rails, and cab — fits within its own structure inside your home, traveling through a small opening cut in your upper floor.

You step in, press a button, and ride between floors. From the outside, it looks like a small closet or cabinet. Shaftless elevators are the fastest and least disruptive way to add a real elevator to an existing home.

How They Work

Shaftless elevators use a rack-and-pinion or screw-drive system instead of cables and counterweights. The cab climbs a self-supporting track powered by a standard electrical outlet. No hydraulic fluid, no overhead machinery, and no dependence on your home’s walls or framing for structural support.

Stiltz specifically uses a dual-rail, rack-and-pinion design. The cab locks automatically at each floor and includes battery backup to return to the lowest level during a power outage.

Why Stiltz Over Other Brands

Here’s what separates Stiltz from the field:

Compact dual-rail design. Takes up less floor space than competing shaftless models.
Nationwide dealer network. More US dealers than any other shaftless brand — easier to get assessments, installation, and service.
1–3 day installation. Arrives in sections, assembles inside your home. No crane, no exterior work.
Range of models. The Duo handles two passengers. The Trio is wheelchair-accessible. Both run on standard 220V.
Track record. Thousands installed in the US and UK. Parts and service available through the dealer network.

What about Cibes? Cibes is a Swedish manufacturer with a screw-drive system. More cab customization, but a smaller US dealer network. If there’s a Cibes dealer near you, worth getting a comparison quote — but for most families, Stiltz is more accessible.

Cost at a Glance

Most families pay $20,000–$40,000 installed.

Configuration	Typical Price Range	Install Time
Stiltz Duo, single floor	$20,000 – $28,000	1–2 days
Stiltz Trio (wheelchair), single floor	$28,000 – $36,000	2–3 days
Stiltz Duo, two floors	$30,000 – $38,000	2–3 days
Premium finishes/options	Add $2,000 – $6,000	—

Request a quote from Stiltz for exact pricing based on your home.

Where the Money Goes

Elevator unit (60–70%): Cab, rails, motor, controls, self-supporting structure.
Floor modification (15–20%): Cutting the opening through your upper floor and reinforcing it.
Electrical (5–10%): Running a 220V circuit to the elevator location.
Installation labor (10–15%): On-site assembly. No crane or exterior construction.

Why Prices Vary by $20,000

The spread between a $20,000 and $40,000 quote usually comes down to:

Capacity. The Trio (wheelchair-accessible) costs $8,000–$12,000 more than the Duo.
Number of floors. Each additional floor adds $8,000–$12,000.
Cab finishes. Standard laminate vs. hardwood, custom colors, glass panels.
Your location. Urban areas and coasts run 10–20% higher than Midwest or South.
Home-specific factors. Reinforced concrete floors, unusual joist configurations, or hard-to-reach electrical panels.

What Installation Involves

This is where shaftless elevators stand apart.

Free home assessment — A Stiltz dealer measures the space and confirms where the elevator can go. Need about 5x5 feet per level. Schedule one here.
Floor opening — A hole is cut through your upper floor. This is the most significant construction involved.
Assembly — Delivered in sections, assembled inside your home. No crane.
Electrical — Standard 220V outlet. No three-phase power, no machine room.
Total time — 1–3 days. Compare that to 2–4 weeks for a shaft elevator.

Will It Fit Your Parent’s Home?

Stiltz shaftless elevators need:

Floor space: Roughly 5x5 feet on each level
Ceiling height: Standard 8-foot ceilings
Electrical: 220V outlet nearby

They fit in closets, corners, open floor plans, and garages. The one limitation: most shaftless models serve two floors only. Three-plus floors typically need a shaft or pneumatic elevator.

Ways to Reduce the Cost

Choose the Duo if wheelchair access isn’t needed — it’s the cost sweet spot.
VA grants cover up to $117,014 in home modifications. SHA grants cover up to $47,130.
Medicaid HCBS waivers in many states cover home modifications including elevators.
Place it strategically near an existing 220V outlet to minimize electrical costs.

How to Avoid Overpaying

Get an itemized quote. Separate elevator, installation, electrical, and construction costs.
Clarify floor work. Some dealers include cosmetic finishing around the opening, some don’t. That’s a $500–$2,000 difference.
Ask about the warranty. What’s covered, for how long, and what does out-of-warranty service cost ($300–$800/call)?
Don’t pay before the home assessment. A reputable dealer visits first, then quotes.

Shaftless vs. Other Options

Option	Cost	Install Time	Wheelchair?	Construction
Stairlift	$2,000–$15,000	2–6 hours	No	None
Stiltz shaftless	$20,000–$40,000	1–3 days	Yes (Trio)	Floor opening only
Pneumatic	$30,000–$50,000	1–2 days	No	Floor opening only
Shaft/hydraulic	$25,000–$60,000	2–4 weeks	Yes	Shaft, pit, machine room

If your parent only needs help getting up and down stairs and can sit/stand independently, a stairlift might be the better starting point.

The Bigger Picture

A Stiltz shaftless elevator costs roughly the same as 4–8 months of assisted living ($4,000–$8,000/month). For many families, it’s the modification that makes staying home possible — and it installs in days, not weeks.

Request your free Stiltz home assessment →

Or call us at (855) 595-2820 if you have questions before requesting a quote.

StayHomeWell earns a referral fee when you purchase a Stiltz elevator through links on this page. This does not increase your price. Price ranges reflect national averages as of early 2026. Your actual cost will depend on your home, number of floors, model, location, and dealer.