Dumbwaiters are like mini elevators that carry objects instead of people. They’re becoming more popular in homes, helping people carry virtually any heavy or bulky item from floor to floor. They can greatly assist with servicing commercial settings like restaurants, hotels, schools, and hospitals. Depending on when and where you’d like to install a dumbwaiter, the installation process can be complex or fairly straightforward. That is why it is important to consult with a general contractor and a reputable dumbwaiter advisor to help you compose a design and installation plan.
Learn how you could benefit from installing a dumbwaiter, how dumbwaiters are installed, the cost of installing a dumbwaiter, and dumbwaiter safety and maintenance tips.
Benefits of Installing a Dumbwaiter
Various Uses
Laundry
For most people, doing laundry requires taking many trips up and down the stairs, carrying heavy loads. With a dumbwaiter from the upper floor to your laundry room, you can send dirty laundry down and clean laundry up, alleviating much of the chore of doing laundry.
Carrying loads of laundry can also be dangerous for some people, but a dumbwaiter greatly reduces these hazards.
Firewood
Some people store firewood in their basement for an upstairs wood stove or another purpose. A dumbwaiter connecting these floors takes the hassle out of moving it up and down. If you bring firewood in from outdoors, you can send it to your basement from a dumbwaiter that stops in your kitchen and brings it back up to use in a wood stove.
Garage
The garage is usually the first place people begin unloading bags and objects from their cars. Instead of carrying them through the door into your kitchen or other storage room, you can install a garage dumbwaiter to send heavy tools, groceries, and other objects to the desired location.
Food
Dumbwaiters can also be designed to carry food, trays, and kitchen supplies. Whether in a residential or commercial setting, dumbwaiters can be both a time saver and improve safety for homeowners and employees.
Increasing Accessibility & Property Value
Dumbwaiters can increase convenience, safety, and accessibility in your home. This upgrade will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.
Dumbwaiters can also drastically improve the efficiency of operations on commercial properties like hotels, restaurants, hospitals, retirement homes, and more.
Preparing for Dumbwaiter Installation
- Plan the space for your dumbwaiter: Think about how you will most often use the dumbwaiter. Who will it best serve and what will it be carrying? It is also important to consider if this installation will be in an existing home or building or if will it be included as a part of new construction.
- Select a dumbwaiter size: Dumbwaiters come in a variety of pre-engineered shapes and sizes, allowing for fast delivery and installation. Residential dumbwaiters have a smaller standard size and a lower carrying capacity than commercial dumbwaiters, and you can select your desired model depending on the application. Consider the carrying capacity, the car size, the opening options, the speeds, the motor, and the finish you want.
The Dumbwaiter Installation Process
Build the Dumbwaiter Shaft
Dumbwaiters operate in a shaft; a vertical up-and-down tunnel. Architects designing new homes can dedicate space to these systems, while those adding them to existing properties must create the space for the shaft. Before cutting through walls or floors, you should consult a structural engineer to ensure you maintain the structural integrity of your home. Your dumbwaiter installer will provide them with the dimensions and specs of your specific model.
Install the Dumbwaiter
All dumbwaiters should be installed by a professional. They are well-versed in the equipment and process for safely installing your dumbwaiter. They must know how to properly wire the dumbwaiter to your electrical power and install the system piece by piece to ensure it is structurally sound. Our licensed technicians can also train you on the dumbwaiter system to demonstrate proper safe operation.
Test & Create Maintenance Plan
Once electricity is connected to the dumbwaiter system, your dumbwaiter should be tested for proper operation. It should move consistently with low noise and vibration. This is a good time to set up a regular maintenance plan to keep your dumbwaiter running smoothly for as long as possible.
The Cost of Installing a Dumbwaiter
When considering the cost to install the dumbwaiter there are many factors to take into account: the price of the equipment, the price of creating a shaft for the dumbwaiter, and the cost of installing a dumbwaiter into the shaft.
Unsurprisingly, the larger the dumbwaiter size the more it will cost. Every dumbwaiter has a maximum weight that it can safely carry. The higher the weight capacity you need, the more you can expect to pay.
Consider how many floors you want the dumbwaiter to travel. A dumbwaiter that spans three floors will be more expensive than one that only spans two. The location you want to install the dumbwaiter will also affect the cost because some areas of the home can make for more complex installation processes. For example, installing a dumbwaiter in a kitchen or bathroom may require the plumbing behind the walls to be adjusted, driving up labor costs. You may also need to hire a general contractor or architect to help with determining this which will add to your costs.
The next factor in the cost is building the shaft. This can involve needing to reroute electrical and plumbing lines,, installing an access door, and painting and finishing both the area and the dumbwaiter. To lower labor costs, try to avoid installing a dumbwaiter in a location that will require rerouting plumbing or HVAC lines. If you must, be sure to consult professionals to ensure this is completed to code requirements.
The final factor in the cost of dumbwaiter installation is labor, which involves fitting the dumbwaiter into the shaft and hooking it up to the wiring.
Dumbwaiter Maintenance & Safety Tips
- Have a professional dumbwaiter installation company install your dumbwaiter: To ensure the safe operation and longevity of your dumbwaiter, installation should only be performed by licensed, insured, and trained technicians. You can also set up a maintenance plan with your installer to avoid the need for repairs.
- Get regular maintenance and service: Your dumbwaiter should be lubricated, cleaned, and inspected regularly. The tracks and rollers need lubrication to prevent wear and tear and loud squeaking noises that are simply the result of mechanical equipment. The interior should also be cleaned to remove any dust or grime that has accumulated in the door and impeded overall performance. A technician should inspect the unit for worn components, check that the safety locks are working properly, and make sure the wiring and insulation look safe and intact.
- Only use a dumbwaiter for its intended purpose: If you have a small dumbwaiter, don’t overload it with heavy items like luggage. Never climb into the shaft or hoistway, and make sure children are not allowed to play with the unit.
Get a Quote for Dumbwaiter Installation From DME Elevators & Lifts
At DME Elevators & Lifts, our advisors can help you select the right commercial or residential dumbwaiter for your lifting needs. We’ve been providing and installing dumbwaiters from leading manufacturers for over 45 years, and our technicians are factory-trained for reliable installation and maintenance.
Transform the accessibility and convenience of your home or property with one, cost-effective upgrade. Contact us for a free quote on dumbwaiter installation.
