St. Louis Metro, MO

Home Elevator Installation Timeline

Homeowners consistently underestimate how long a home elevator project takes — not because installation itself is slow, but because permitting and equipment lead time run in parallel with, and sometimes ahead of, the physical construction.

How long does a full shaft-based home elevator installation take?

A shaft-based hydraulic or MRL elevator installation in an existing home typically takes 6–12 weeks from signed contract to operational cab, including design, permitting, shaft construction, and equipment installation.

The visible construction — framing the shaft, running electrical, installing rails and the cab — is often only 2–4 weeks of that window. The rest is permit review time (which varies by St. Louis-area jurisdiction) and equipment lead time, since most residential elevator cabs are built to order rather than stocked. A contractor quoting a 2-week total timeline for a full shaft-based install in an existing home is either not counting permitting and lead time, or planning to start construction before permits clear — worth asking about directly.

How long does a vacuum elevator retrofit take compared to a shaft-based install?

Vacuum elevator retrofits typically run 2–4 weeks faster than shaft-based installations because they skip structural shaft framing, often landing in a 4–8 week total timeline including permitting.

Since the vacuum elevator's cylinder is self-supporting, the structural work is largely limited to cutting and reinforcing the floor openings rather than framing walls floor to floor. That's the main driver of the shorter timeline. Equipment lead time still applies, though, and can be the longer pole in the schedule if the specific model or finish isn't in regular stock — confirm lead time on the exact unit, not just a general “vacuum elevators install faster” assumption.

What causes home elevator installation delays in St. Louis?

The most common delays are permit review taking longer than estimated, structural surprises found once walls are opened (especially in older homes), and equipment backorders on cab components or finish materials.

Older St. Louis homes — particularly the brick multi-story housing common in South City, the Hill, and Dogtown — sometimes reveal framing, plumbing, or electrical routing that wasn't visible on the original plans once a contractor opens a wall for the shaft. That's not a sign of a bad contractor; it's a normal risk in retrofit construction, and a good bid will flag it as a contingency line rather than pretending it won't happen. Ask what the change-order process looks like before signing, not after a surprise shows up mid-project.

Typical Cost Range

Budget 6–12 weeks for a shaft-based retrofit and 4–8 weeks for a vacuum elevator retrofit, plus additional time if permitting in your specific municipality runs slower than average. Use our cost estimator →

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