The Ultimate Guide to Home Elevators in NW Indiana: Luxury & Accessibility

Hendren Custom Home
Aug 25
3 min read

When you design a custom home, you have the unique opportunity to build for your life today and your life tomorrow. In Northwest Indiana, one feature is increasingly becoming a centerpiece of that forward-thinking design: the residential elevator.

Once seen as a purely opulent luxury, the home elevator is now recognized as one of the smartest investments you can make. It’s a seamless blend of daily convenience and practical planning for the future. In this guide, Hendren Custom Homes explains why a home elevator might be the perfect addition to your custom build.

open, spacious entryway to a home featuring wide stairs and an in-hom elevator — Read more to learn about the benefits of a residential elevator.

Key Takeaways

It's for Today and Tomorrow: Home elevators offer immediate convenience (no more carrying groceries upstairs!) and provide a powerful solution for "aging in place."
Plan Now, Save Thousands: Incorporating an elevator into your new home's blueprint is dramatically less expensive and disruptive than retrofitting one later.
AARP research shows that 77% of adults over 50 want to remain in their homes for the long term, making aging-in-place features a top priority.
Modern & Safe: Today’s residential elevators are quiet, energy-efficient, and can be beautifully customized to match your home's interior design.

Why Should You Consider a Home Elevator?

Homeowners in Valparaiso and across Porter County are installing elevators for two primary reasons: future-proofing their home and unparalleled convenience.

How does an elevator help with aging in place?

"Aging in place" simply means having the ability to live in your own home safely and comfortably, regardless of your age or mobility level. An elevator makes this possible in a multi-story home by:

Eliminating the daily challenge and risk of stairs.
Making it easy to move items like laundry and suitcases between floors.
Providing peace of mind that you won't have to move if mobility ever becomes an issue for you or a family member.

an elderly man in a wheelchair using a residential elevator to move between floors in his home. — A residential elevator is a great way to "age in place" in your forever home.

What are the luxury and convenience benefits of a home elevator?

Beyond accessibility, an elevator adds a layer of ease to everyday life. Imagine effortlessly sending heavy groceries from the garage to the kitchen, or luggage from the master suite to the ground floor. It’s a feature that, once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without.

How much space does a home elevator need?

This is a common question, and the answer is often less than people think. A standard residential elevator requires a footprint of about 5 feet by 5 feet, or roughly the size of a large closet. The key is to have this space designed into the floor plan from the very beginning, ensuring it stacks perfectly on each level.

How much do home elevators cost in NW Indiana?

While the final price depends on factors like the number of floors, the drive system, and custom finishes, a general starting range for installing an elevator during new construction is $30,000 to $50,000.

Why is it better to install an elevator during new construction?

This is the most important financial consideration. Retrofitting an elevator into an existing home can cost significantly more because it requires major demolition, structural re-engineering, and complex electrical work. By planning for an elevator in your initial home design, you are making the most cost-effective decision. We can build the elevator shaft into the home's structure, saving you tens of thousands of dollars and months of disruption down the road.

Hendren Custom Homes has experience installing residential elevators.

The Bottom Line: A Home Elevator Is A Smart Investment in Your Home

Installing a home elevator in your NW Indiana custom build is more than a simple, albeit unique, feature; it's an investment in your quality of life and your home's long-term value. It’s the ultimate symbol of a "forever home," ensuring the space you love can serve you and your family for decades to come.

As a premier builder of custom homes in Valparaiso, Hendren Custom Homes specializes in integrating these forward-thinking solutions into your design.