Home Elevator or Move to a Single-Level Home? An Aging-in-Place Guide for Treasure Valley Families

Should you put in a home elevator or move to a single-level home? The honest answer is that it depends on three things: how long you plan to stay, whether your home can take an elevator, and what moving would really cost you. That cost is money, and it is also leaving the neighbors, doctors and routines you have built over the years. If you love your home and plan to stay for many years, an elevator is often worth a serious look. If you were already thinking about downsizing, moving may make more sense.

You are not alone in wanting to stay. An AARP report found that 75% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their current homes as they age. This guide walks through both paths in plain terms so your family can make the call that fits.

What moving really involves

A move to a ranch-style home can look simple on paper. In practice it is two big transactions plus a move, and the costs add up in places people don’t always expect.

• Selling costs. Agent commissions, seller closing costs, repairs and getting the house ready can add up to a meaningful share of your home’s value (see this Experian guide to the cost of selling a house). Commissions are negotiable and practices have changed in recent years, so ask a local realtor for real numbers.
• Buying costs. Buyers pay their own closing costs too, such as lender fees, title and prepaid items. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Closing Disclosure explainer shows what those line items look like.
• A new mortgage, maybe. If you have a low rate or a paid-off home now, a new loan may come at a higher rate. You can check current averages on Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey.
• Moving itself. Movers, packing, storage and fix-ups at the new place.
• What you leave behind. Neighbors who check on you, a doctor who knows your history, your church, your walking route, the grandkids ten minutes away. These are hard to put a price on, and for many families they matter most.
• Finding the right home. Single-level homes tend to be in demand around the Boise area, since many buyers at different life stages want them. Depending on the market, finding one in the neighborhood you want, at a price that works, can take time.

None of this means moving is wrong. It means the real cost is bigger than the price of the new house. A local realtor can give you a clearer picture of what your home would sell for and what is available nearby.

What adding a home elevator involves

A residential elevator keeps every floor of your home usable. Here is what the project usually looks like:

• A site visit. Someone looks at your floor plan, where a shaft or hoistway could go, ceiling heights, and power. Common spots are stacked closets, a corner of the garage, or a space added onto the outside of the house.
• Choosing a type. Different drive systems need different amounts of space and construction. Our guide to home elevator types explains the options.
• Construction and permits. Framing the shaft, electrical work and any required local permits. This is usually the biggest part of the project.
• Installation and finishing. The elevator goes in, gets tested, and the walls and trim are finished to match the house.
• Ongoing care. Like any machine with moving parts, an elevator needs regular professional service over the years.

Cost depends heavily on the home and the type of elevator. Our page on home elevator cost in Boise covers what drives the price, and adding an elevator to an existing home explains what a retrofit involves.

Elevator vs. moving: side-by-side

This table compares the two paths on the things families usually weigh most.

A decision checklist for your family

Sit down together and talk through these questions. If most of your answers point one way, that is a good sign of which path fits.

1. How long do you want to stay? If the answer is “as long as we can,” an elevator lets you spread the value of the project over many years.
2. Do you love the home and the neighborhood? If you were already thinking about leaving, stairs may just be the final push.
3. Is the house otherwise working for you? Think about the yard, upkeep, bathroom layout and how you get in the front door.
4. Is there a sensible place for an elevator? A site visit answers this quickly.
5. How close are family, doctors and the people who help you? Would a move put more miles between you?
6. What would you actually net from a sale? Ask a realtor for an estimate after selling costs.
7. What would you pay for a comparable single-level home nearby? Include buying costs and any new mortgage.
8. How does this fit your overall finances? We are not financial advisors, and this guide is not financial advice. A financial advisor can help you compare both paths for your situation.

Treasure Valley scenarios

Every home is different, but these examples show how the decision often plays out around the Valley.

A two-story home in Meridian

A couple in their late sixties has the primary bedroom upstairs and has watched one knee get worse. They love their cul-de-sac and their daughter lives nearby. The garage sits under part of the second floor, and a corner of it could work for an elevator. For them, staying and adding an elevator may protect what they value most. If the stairs were the only reason to stay or go, and they were happy to downsize, moving could also make sense.

A daylight basement in the Boise foothills

Homes on a slope often have a walk-out lower level, a main floor and sometimes an upper floor, with stairs everywhere, sometimes including at the entry. The views and the lot are hard to replace. Here, an elevator can tie three levels together. If the trouble is mostly a few steps at the front door or garage, a wheelchair platform lift may solve that part on its own.

A new build in Eagle

A family building a two-story home wants a parent to be able to live with them now or later. Planning for an elevator during design is usually simpler than adding one later. Some families frame stacked closets that can become a shaft down the road. Talk with your builder and an elevator installer early, before the framing goes up.

Other options worth considering

An elevator isn’t the only way to stay in a multi-level home. Depending on your needs, one of these may be enough, at least for now:

• Main-floor bedroom conversion. If there is a den, office or dining room on the main level, and a bathroom nearby, turning it into a bedroom can let you live on one floor. It works best when the bathroom can be made safe and accessible too.
• A stair lift for a straight staircase. A chair that rides along the stairs can be a simpler project when the user can still transfer in and out of a seat safely. See our comparison of a stair lift vs. a home elevator.
• A wheelchair lift for entry steps. If the main problem is getting into the house from the garage, porch or deck, a vertical platform lift can carry a person, walker or wheelchair a short height.

Many families combine these. A platform lift at the garage plus a main-floor bedroom can cover a lot, with an elevator saved for later if needs change.

Frequently asked questions

Is a home elevator worth it for aging in place?

It often is if you plan to stay for many years, love your home, and have a workable spot for it. It is less likely to make sense if you were already planning to move soon.

Is it cheaper to add an elevator or move to a ranch home?

It depends on your home, the elevator type, what your house would sell for, and what a single-level home nearby would cost. Compare the full cost of each path, including selling and buying costs, and ask a realtor and financial advisor to help you run the numbers.

Can an elevator be added to an existing two-story home?

Many homes can take one, often in stacked closets, a garage corner or an addition. A site visit will tell you what fits. Learn more about adding an elevator to an existing home.

Will a home elevator affect resale value?

It depends on the market and the buyer. Some buyers will see it as a plus, others won’t care. A local realtor is the best person to ask about your neighborhood.

How long does installing a home elevator take?

Planning, design and permits come first, then construction and installation. Timing depends on the home and the type of elevator, so ask for a timeline specific to your project.

What if I only need help with a few steps?

A vertical platform lift for an entry, or a stair lift for a straight staircase, may be all you need. An elevator makes the most sense when you need easy access between full floors.