Product Review Series Description
As a quadriplegic, I have become generally accepting of new technologies, especially if they help me and improve my quality of life. Since my injury in 2017, I have trialed many different forms of adaptive tech (often at my own expense), so I have become very intentional about what tools earn a place in my daily routine. Now I am certainly no “techie”—rather, I’m just a guy that is constantly searching for some added independence and autonomy. This review kicks off a new series where I look at products through the lens of life as a quadriplegic. The focus is on what works, what doesn’t, and what actually makes my daily life easier. These reviews are my own thoughts, opinions and experiences, and do not reflect the brands themselves in any way. I am not a collaborator, just a dude living life as a quadriplegic.
Symmetry In-Line Gear Drive Residential Elevator With Power Gates
When my wife and I bought our property and had our home built around the parameters of my wheelchair in 2020, it was with the mutual understanding that we were looking for a ranch-style house so everything would be on a single level. We found the perfect lot, had the prints approved, signed all of the contracts, broke ground, and in a cosmic twist, I was then approved by a nonprofit to receive a residential elevator.
We submitted a Change Order request with the contractor, who waved their regular fee and quickly modified the plans to replace the pantry for an elevator shaft, but we were well beyond adding levels to the home. Still, who says no to a Symmetry Residential Elevator?
Having the capability to navigate every possible area of my home has been incredible, and it is all due in-part from the generosity of the Gary Sinise Foundation. In 2017 when I was injured, my parents applied to many different nonprofits on my behalf, recognizing that I was going to need assistance in countless different areas of my life moving forward. I was accepted into the Gary Sinise Foundation after a round of character testimonials, but had not had the opportunity to use any of their programs. That changed in 2020, when I reached out to inquire about their R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program, which has since transitioned to focus strictly on its signature initiative: building 100% mortgage-free, newly constructed custom smart homes for the nation’s most severely wounded veterans and first responders. My case manager told me that I would likely be one of the last individuals to use this program for a specific adaptation rather than for an entirely new home, and with that, their project manager reached out to inform me that I had been approved for the elevator. Unreal.
The elevator was put in by All-Ways Accessible, the same company that had installed the SureHands ceiling lift in my bedroom and who would later emplace the vertical platform lift off of my back deck. The project manager from Gary Sinise Foundation handled all communications, and before I knew it I was testing out my very own personal elevator.
Working with All-Ways Accessible, I hand-picked the finishes that would match my home and selected the accessibility additions that I needed, which included automatic door openers and auto-accordion gates.
Having an elevator in my home has been a game changer. It is a gift that I will never be able to repay, but I also recognize that many who want or need an elevator will have to pay out of pocket for it. For that reason, I am giving an unbiased review of my own residential elevator for this review series. Below is a short list of pros and cons.
Pros
- Full multi-story independence: The most obvious benefit is improved accessibility. An elevator restores autonomous access to every floor of your home.
- Safe, roll-in wheelchair transport: Enclosed cabs accommodate heavy power wheelchairs, ventilators, and support equipment while eliminating the risks inherent to stairlifts or steep ramps.
- Safety and reduced strain: Drastically lowers physical wear, tear, and injury risks for family members or aides who would otherwise have to navigate manual lifts, stairs, or awkward transfers. It also preserves the user’s health by saving them the effort of having to push or transfer to navigate different levels of the home.
- Future-proof home equity and aging-in-place: Allows long-term residency in your chosen home regardless of changing mobility needs, while often boosting resale appeal to multi-generational or accessibility-focused buyers.
- Smart home and environmental integration: Modern units can be automated with hands-free controls (voice activation, automatic doors, proximity sensors, or foot switches) tailored specifically to hand and arm mobility limitations. While I am able to press the call button for my elevator—which operates with automatic door openers and accordion gates—having additional options for specific use cases is an important feature.
Cons
- High upfront installation and retrofit costs: Equipment and structural retrofitting typically range from $30,000 to over $70,000 and are rarely covered by private insurance.
- Ongoing maintenance and recurring costs: Requires routine servicing, safety inspections, occasional mechanical repairs, and higher property insurance premiums to maintain safe operation. Repairs can also be quite expensive.
- Vulnerability during power outages: Outages can trap users without a reliable battery-backup system or a dedicated whole-home generator. After receiving this elevator, I had a gas generator from Generac installed, specifically to power this elevator in case of an emergency.
- Enclosed space entrapment risk: Mechanical jams, door sensor faults, or system failures can trap an individual inside the cab or on a lower level, necessitating integrated emergency call systems, landlines, and specialized extraction protocols. Murphy’s law certainly applies here. I have had mechanical failures with my automatic gates and been stuck in my basement before. It is important to have a plan in place for if/when things like these happen. Ensure your local fire department knows you have a disability and a residential elevator. Ensure you have the number for emergency repairs. BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE.
- Interior footprint loss: Shafts, machine spaces, and clearance requirements consume roughly 20 to 30 square feet per floor, requiring permanent architectural remodeling that reduces living or storage space. We built my house with an elevator in mind, but oftentimes adding an elevator to an existing residence involves some serious remodeling.
At the end of the day, an elevator is a major piece of machinery. It demands respect in terms of budget, maintenance, and emergency readiness. Even though my path to getting one was an incredible stroke of generosity that I will never forget, living with it day in and day out has shown me the massive upside and the responsibilities that come along with it. If you have the means or the resources to make it happen, the autonomy it restores to your life is impossible to overstate.
Looking back at the original blueprint for a simple ranch house, I’m still struck by how much having a residential elevator reshaped my home. The Symmetry elevator has provided an everyday ease and safety that I really try not to take for granted, especially knowing the generosity that made it possible. For anyone on the fence about whether the investment is worth the logistical stress, I can say firsthand that having full run of your own home changes everything.