How Much Does It Cost to Install a Dumbwaiter? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $8,000 - $12,000
The cost to add a dumbwaiter is about $10,000, but you can expect to pay between $8,000 and $12,000, depending on the type of the dumbwaiter and installation work in your home.
If you want to install a dumbwaiter in your home, expect to pay $10,000 on average for installation, with a typical range of $8,000 to $12,000. However, it can cost you as little as $4,000 if you choose a small, low-cost model, or as much as $20,000 if you want to install a high-end electric model.
“When planning the location of a dumbwaiter, focus on where you will use it most,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “For example, people who travel frequently would benefit from a dumbwaiter that transported luggage from an upper floor to the garage.”
- Average
- $10,000
- Low end
- $4,000
- high end
- $20,000
Dumbwaiter Installation Cost Breakdown
The cost of installing a dumbwaiter breaks down into three basic categories: the cost of the dumbwaiter itself, the cost of installing a shaft for the dumbwaiter, and the cost of installing the dumbwaiter into the shaft. There are some other cost factors that play more minor roles, though, and you should consider all of these for an accurate project cost estimate.
Size
The size of the dumbwaiter you install will be based on what you will use it for–but the size will also affect the total cost. A larger dumbwaiter will cost more, both because it will require more materials and it will take more labor to create the shaft that will house the unit.
| Dumbwaiter Size | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Mini car | $2,000 to $7,500 |
| Standard car | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| Mid-sized car | $7,000 to $17,000 |
| Oversized car | $10,000 to $20,000 |
Materials
The materials alone will usually make up around 45% of your total installation cost, with most dumbwaiters totaling between $2,000 and $7,000. The larger your dumbwaiter is, the less of the percentage of the total the materials will make up because labor costs increase at a higher rate as the materials get larger.
One factor that affects the material prices is the brand you choose. Below are some prices for common dumbwaiter brands.
Matot: $2,000 to $6,000
Inclinator: $3,500 to $6,000
Powerlift: $4,000 to $7,000
Harmar: $4,000 to $7,000
Weight
Every dumbwaiter has a maximum weight that it can safely lift and lower, and you should always choose the weight limit based on your intended use. For example, if you plan on using the dumbwaiter to move plates of food up to a serving area, you can likely get away with spending less than if you wanted to use it for moving heavy luggage to a garage.
You should plan on spending a little more for a heavy duty dumbwaiter that can handle 500 pounds, as opposed to a less impressive 100-pound capacity.
Distance
You will need to think about how far up and down you want your dumbwaiter to stretch, as a longer dumbwaiter shaft will require more materials and more labor to install. You will always pay more for a dumbwaiter that spans three floors–as opposed to two–provided the same brand and quality are available for both.
Location
Dumbwaiters can serve you well in a variety of locations, and where you choose to install it will affect how much it costs.
For example, installing your dumbwaiter in your kitchen or bathroom for dishes or laundry is likely going to be more expensive than installing one in a bedroom. This is because kitchens and bathrooms have plumbing running behind the walls that your local home renovation company may need to reroute to fit your dumbwaiter in place. This will drive up labor costs significantly, unless you’re already paying for a bathroom or kitchen remodel.
| Dumbwaiter Location | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Bedroom | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Dining room | $6,000–$10,000 |
| Kitchen | $8,000–$12,000 |
Shaft Installation
Installation of a new shaft runs about $2,500 to $3,500. This includes rerouting electrical and plumbing lines, installing the shaft, installing an access door, and painting and finishing both the area and the dumbwaiter.
“When looking for a place to install the shaft, you must determine whether it intersects other systems, such as electrical, plumbing or HVAC ducts,” Tschudi says. “If you are cutting into any wall or floor, consult a structural engineer, who will provide a written report on what you need to do to maintain the structural integrity of your house.”
Labor
It costs between $750 and $7,500 to install a dumbwaiter into a shaft once the shaft is complete. This involves fitting the dumbwaiter into the shaft and hooking it up to the wiring. The price for shaft installation and installing the dumbwaiter inside can range from $3,500 to $11,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Dumbwaiter by Type?
Manual Dumbwaiter
Manual dumbwaiters are raised and lowered by pulling a rope, and therefore they aren't as expensive as dumbwaiters that require a motor. A manual dumbwaiter costs $3,000 to $8,000 to install. They also don't require as much maintenance as electric models.
While still useful, manual dumbwaiters have fallen out of favor with the invention of electric dumbwaiters. Your return on investment (ROI) for a manual dumbwaiter will be much lower than it will be for a motorized unit.
Electric Dumbwaiter
Electric dumbwaiters are more expensive (they can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000), but they're easier to operate. All you have to do is press a button and the dumbwaiter moves up or down. Not only do they save you effort, but they can also move heavier items.
Cost to Install a Dumbwaiter Yourself
Labor for installation runs from $3,250 to $11,000 for this project. So, if you tackle this project yourself, you'd end up paying between $2,000 and $7,000, plus a little extra for miscellaneous costs (think: plywood and screws).
If you have some experience with construction projects, you could probably handle this on your own. But know: It’s a lot of hard work and it’s a bit of an unusual project. You might want to consider having a professional do the work anyway.
Contact a home remodeling contractor near you to see if they do this type of work and if they can give you a quote.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Installing a Dumbwaiter
There are a few things you can do to lower the cost of a dumbwaiter installation—besides doing the work yourself.
Choose the Right Size
The larger the dumbwaiter, the more you’ll pay. For example, a unit measuring 30-by-36-by-48 inches will cost between $18,000 and $20,000. A much smaller model (at 14-by-14-by-20 inches) ranges in cost from $2,000 to $7,500, on average. Make sure you get the size that best suits your needs, but avoid going too large, as that will unnecessarily drive up your costs.
Opt for Manual Over Electric
Electric dumbwaiters are more convenient, but manual dumbwaiters are easy to use, too, and they're a lot less expensive. You could save $7,000 to $12,000 simply by downgrading to a manual dumbwaiter.
Place the Dumbwaiter Strategically
To lower labor costs, choose a location for the dumbwaiter that isn't too far away from necessary electrical connections. Bonus points if it’s easy for a contractor to access, and it doesn’t require the rerouting of plumbing or electrical lines to make room for the shaft. Contact a professional to do a consultation first and they might be able to recommend a good location for the dumbwaiter.
Frequently Asked Questions
It usually only takes one day for a professional to install a dumbwaiter. However, it could take two days or more if the shaft needs to be installed in an area that is difficult to access. A larger dumbwaiter will also take a bit longer than a smaller dumbwaiter, as creating the shaft will take more work, so two to three days isn’t out of the question for a large dumbwaiter that spans three or more floors.
The size of a dumbwaiter typically ranges from 14-by-14-by-20 inches to 36-by-36-by-48 inches, with sizes in between for more customized options. You could opt to have a custom size built, but doing so will be expensive. Dumbwaiters can lift anywhere from 100 to 750 pounds.
It is called a dumbwaiter because it was originally used in large houses with a staff of servants to move food from the kitchen downstairs to the dining room upstairs. An antiquated definition for “silent” or “mute” is “dumb.” Thus, the dumbwaiter was essentially an extra silent waiter. Some more modern terms include lifts or food elevators.