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If carrying groceries, laundry, or other items up and down the stairs has become a hassle, you may have wondered whether you can add a dumbwaiter to your existing home.

In many cases, it is possible. Unlike a residential elevator, a dumbwaiter is designed to move items rather than people, so it can be a much smaller addition.

The bigger question is whether your house has a practical location for one and what changes will be needed to install it.

If you're considering one for an existing home, here are some of the things to think about.

Where Would the Dumbwaiter Go?

The first step is figuring out where the dumbwaiter could be installed.

A dumbwaiter needs to travel vertically between the floors you want to connect, which means the location has to work on each level. A space that looks perfect on the first floor may not line up with a usable area upstairs.

Some homes may have a closet, pantry, cabinet area, or other space that can be adapted for the installation. In other cases, modifications to walls, floors, or cabinetry may be necessary.

This is one reason it's helpful to involve an elevator and lift professional early in the process. They can look at the layout of the home and determine what options are realistic.

Do You Need a Lot of Space?

Not necessarily.

One of the advantages of a dumbwaiter is that it generally takes up much less room than a passenger elevator. The exact space requirements depend on the system being installed, the size of the cab and the layout of the home.

That doesn't mean space requirements can be ignored, though. The equipment needs room to operate safely, and the vertical path needs to be properly planned.

If you're working with a relatively small home or trying to avoid taking up valuable living space, a professional can help identify locations that may work without creating unnecessary changes to the house.

What If the Home Wasn't Designed for a Dumbwaiter?

This is where installing a dumbwaiter in an existing home can become more complicated.

New construction gives builders the opportunity to plan the shaft, openings, and equipment space from the beginning. With an existing house, those decisions have already been made. Installing a dumbwaiter may require cutting into floors, modifying walls, or making other structural changes.

That doesn't automatically mean the project won't work. It just means the existing layout needs to be considered before choosing a system or deciding where it should go.

Every house is different. A dumbwaiter retrofit that makes sense in one home may not be practical in another.

What Can You Use a Home Dumbwaiter For?

Dumbwaiters can be useful for much more than moving food between floors.

For example, a homeowner might use one to move:

• Groceries from the garage or lower level to the kitchen
• Dishes and serving items between floors
• Laundry between bedrooms and a laundry room
• Cleaning supplies
• Heavy household items
• Packages and other items that are awkward to carry on stairs

They can be especially helpful in larger homes where the kitchen, garage, bedrooms and living areas are spread across multiple levels.

Instead of making several trips up and down the stairs, you can load the items into the dumbwaiter and send them to the floor where they're needed.

Can a Dumbwaiter Be Added During a Home Renovation?

A renovation can actually be a good time to look into adding one.

If you're already opening up walls, changing the floor plan, or remodeling a kitchen, it may be easier to incorporate a dumbwaiter than it would be after the renovation is complete.

For example, a kitchen remodel may create an opportunity to connect the kitchen with a lower-level storage area or another floor. A major renovation may also give your contractor and elevator installer more flexibility when deciding where the equipment and openings should go.

That doesn't mean you have to be planning a major renovation to add a dumbwaiter. It simply means that if you're already doing work on the house, it's worth bringing up the idea before construction gets too far along.

What About an Older or Historic Home?

Older homes can present some additional challenges.

The structure, floor plan, and available wall space may be very different from what you'd find in a newer house. There may also be finished walls, hardwood floors, built-ins, or other features that homeowners want to preserve.

That doesn't necessarily rule out a dumbwaiter. It just makes careful planning even more important.

A professional installation consultation can help determine whether there is a way to add the system while making as few changes to the home as possible.

Talk to an Elevator Professional Before You Start

Adding a dumbwaiter to an existing home isn't something you necessarily need to plan years in advance, but it does require some thought. The location, available space, number of floors, construction of the home and how you plan to use the dumbwaiter all play a role in determining what type of installation will work.

At Alchemy Elevator, we work with homeowners, builders, contractors and architects to help determine the right elevator and lift solutions for a home. Whether you're building a new house or looking for ways to make an existing home more convenient, we can help you explore your options.

Thinking about adding a dumbwaiter to your existing home? Contact Alchemy Elevator to discuss your home's layout and find out what may be possible.