A practical guide for homeowners and building managers across the Treasure Valley
“Custom lifts” can mean a lot of things—home elevators, wheelchair platform lifts, stair lifts, dumbwaiters, freight lifts, and even specialized commercial options like LULA elevators. In Boise, the right choice depends on your building layout, mobility needs, traffic patterns, and long-term maintenance plan. This guide breaks down the most common lift options, where each one shines, and what to ask before you commit—so your investment stays safe, compliant, and dependable for years.
What “custom lifts” usually includes (and why that matters)
Custom lift projects are rarely one-size-fits-all. The same “I need better access” goal could lead to a home elevator in one property, and a vertical platform lift (VPL) or LULA elevator in another. The difference affects:
Choosing between elevators, platform lifts, and stair lifts
Start by matching the equipment to the actual use case. A few examples:
For commercial properties, the conversation shifts toward accessibility compliance, traffic flow, uptime, service response, and documentation (maintenance logs, inspections, and any required tests).
Quick comparison table: common custom lift options in Boise
| Lift Type | Best For | Typical Considerations | Good Questions to Ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Elevator | Daily multi-floor access, aging in place, resale value | Hoistway/space planning, finishes, power, ongoing service | What capacity fits my needs? How will maintenance be handled long-term? |
| Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) | Short-rise wheelchair access (home or commercial) | Clearances, gates/doors, weather exposure, serviceability | Is it intended as an accessible route? What enclosure is required? |
| Stair Lift | When stairs are the only obstacle and seated travel is safe | User transfers, stair width, power, parking location | Is there enough clearance? What happens during a power outage? |
| LULA Elevator | Low-rise commercial accessibility (schools, churches, offices) | ADA usability, design integration, inspections & uptime | What code path applies? What’s the maintenance and inspection schedule? |
| Dumbwaiter | Moving items (laundry, groceries, food service), not passengers | Load ratings, door interlocks, workflow and landing placement | What capacity and car size do we need? What are the safety interlocks? |
| Freight / Material Lift | Warehouses, back-of-house, heavy loads | Cycle frequency, loading method, guarding, uptime planning | How will it be loaded? What are the required safety gates and controls? |
“Did you know?” facts that affect real-world lift decisions
What to evaluate before you install a custom lift
Is this for one household member, multiple residents, tenants, customers, or staff? Will it run 5 times a day or 50? Higher-cycle use changes what “reliable” needs to look like.
Measure what you actually have: stair width, landing depth, overhead clearance, and the best route between levels. In remodels, this step prevents costly redesigns.
For wheelchair users, a lift that “fits” is different from one that feels easy every day. Door/gate placement, control height, and approach clearance can make or break usability.
Exterior or semi-exterior lifts need a plan for moisture, freezing conditions, and long-term protection—plus a maintenance schedule that matches the environment.
Ask how maintenance is scheduled, what typical response times look like, and how parts are sourced. Lift ownership is a long-term relationship—especially for commercial systems.
Boise & Treasure Valley angle: planning for growth, remodels, and accessibility
Boise-area properties often face a familiar mix: multi-level homes, daylight basements, split-level entries, and older commercial buildings being updated for new uses. Those conditions are exactly where a “custom lift” approach helps—because the best solution is the one that fits the building without creating pinch points, awkward landings, or a maintenance headache.
If you’re planning a remodel, it’s smart to discuss lift placement early. Framing allowances, electrical planning, and finish coordination are easier (and usually more cost-effective) before walls are closed up. For commercial properties, early planning also helps align accessibility goals with the correct equipment type and inspection pathway.
Talk with a Boise lift specialist before you finalize plans
Idaho Custom Lifts & Elevators helps homeowners and property managers choose, design, install, and maintain custom lift solutions—from residential elevators and stair lifts to commercial LULA elevators, platform lifts, dumbwaiters, and freight lifts.
FAQ: Custom lifts, elevators, and accessibility equipment in Boise
A platform lift (often called a VPL) is typically designed for shorter vertical travel and wheelchair access, while a residential elevator is intended for regular multi-floor use and is built around a dedicated hoistway system. The best choice depends on travel height, space, and how the lift will be used day to day.
ADA standards include provisions for platform lifts and reference ASME A18.1 for technical requirements, but the project still needs to meet all applicable ADA conditions (including usability and maintaining accessible features in working order). (access-board.gov)
It depends on the equipment type, how frequently it runs, and whether it’s exposed to weather or heavier commercial cycles. The safest approach is a scheduled preventative maintenance plan that aligns with manufacturer guidance and any local inspection requirements.
A LULA (Limited Use/Limited Application) elevator is commonly used in low-rise commercial buildings that need reliable accessibility without a full conventional passenger elevator footprint. It can be a strong option for churches, lodges, offices, and similar spaces where accessibility and design integration both matter.
Non-proprietary systems can make long-term service and parts sourcing simpler by reducing reliance on a single manufacturer’s closed components. For building managers, that can support uptime and budget predictability over the life of the equipment.