People are often surprised to learn that a dumbwaiter is within reach for an ordinary home. It costs a good deal less than a passenger elevator, though the final figure varies from one project to the next. These are the things that move it up or down.
Travel height and number of stops
A dumbwaiter that links a basement to a kitchen is the simplest case. Add a third stop, or a longer run to an upper floor, and you add rail, doors and controls.
Car size and capacity
A car sized for grocery bags and a laundry basket is the standard for homes. A larger car or a higher weight rating, as a restaurant or an office might need, costs more.
Residential or commercial duty
Commercial dumbwaiters are built for constant use and heavier loads, and they are priced accordingly. A home rarely needs one.
The building work
The dumbwaiter itself is only part of the project. It runs in a shaft, and something has to become that shaft. In a new build it is framed in from the start. In an existing house, stacked closets or a chase beside a chimney are often used, and the amount of carpentry and electrical work depends on what is already there.
Doors and finishes
Each landing has a door or gate. Plain doors are included in a basic package, while doors finished to match your cabinetry or trim are an upgrade.
Is it worth the money?
- If you carry loads on the stairs every day, it pays you back in effort saved.
- If anyone in the house is unsteady on the stairs, it removes a real risk of falling.
- If you are already remodelling, the extra cost of adding the shaft is at its lowest.
Ways to keep the price down
- Choose a route where the stops already line up
- Keep to two stops if that covers your needs
- Pick the standard car and door finishes
- Combine the work with other renovation
Getting a quote
Nationwide Lifts of New York installs Jeeves dumbwaiters around Albany, Glens Falls and Poughkeepsie. We look at your home, suggest the most economical route and put the price in writing. Call 888-323-8755.