Who rides
A wheelchair needs a platform lift built to CSA B355; passengers ride an elevator built to CSA B44.
Buying guide
Choosing a home elevator, in six decisions.
What to settle before you compare prices.
The decisions
Settle these first
How many floors
Two floors can take a through-floor lift; more need an enclosed car or the platform lift.
Shaft or no shaft
A through-floor lift needs only a floor opening; enclosed lifts need a shaft, which can be self-supporting.
Pit depth
From none to 150 mm (6 in) across the range, so many models sit on the existing slab.
Power
Each model needs a dedicated circuit, sized to the model.
Permits
The rules differ by province; the table below sums them up.
Which model
Start from the need
| Need | Model | Stops | Pit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two floors, no shaft | Up-Down | 2 floors | None |
| Wheelchair access | S-Lift | 2–4 floors | From 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Tight retrofit | Yijia Q | 2–5 floors | From 100 mm (4 in) |
| Glass showpiece | Youjia G2 | 2–6 floors | From 150 mm (6 in) |
| Up to six floors | Youjia G1 | 2–6 floors | From 150 mm (6 in) |
Permits
What each province asks
- Alberta
- An elevator in a privately owned single-family home is exempt from elevating-device permits (AR 351/2003).
- Saskatchewan
- Private residence elevators are exempt from The Passenger and Freight Elevator Regulations, 2017 (s. 3(n)).
- Manitoba
- We check each install with Manitoba Inspection and Technical Services first.
Key components available with CSA, UL or CE certification.
What that coversFAQ
Buying questions
What is the difference between a home elevator and a platform lift?
An elevator carries passengers in an enclosed car to CSA B44; a platform lift carries a wheelchair to CSA B355.
Can a home elevator go into an existing house?
Usually; headroom and how much floor can be opened decide the model.
Does a home elevator need a pit?
Not always: the Up-Down needs none, and the others start from 60 to 150 mm (2.4 to 6 in).
Do building and electrical permits still apply?
Yes, in every province, and we arrange them.
What certification should I ask for?
Which parts are certified, by whom, and the certificate numbers; our motor and controller can be CSA, UL (cUL) or CE.
Who maintains the elevator afterwards?
We do, arranged at handover.