The Cube Home Elevator in Delaware

In Delaware, the rules for a home elevator are set close to home. Inspection rules come from your county or town, not from one statewide office. The state follows the International Building Code, and local offices build on it. So the first thing your dealer asks is where your house sits, because that decides the paperwork you will have.

If you live in New Castle County, plan for a bit more follow-up. The county Land Use Department checks that elevators meet the code. Your elevator gets inspected on a set schedule by a qualified inspector, and the results go to the county. Repairs, upkeep and the yearly test must be done by mechanics licensed by the State of Delaware. As the owner, you are the one who makes sure each inspection happens on time.

New Castle County also issues a certificate for your elevator every year, and the renewal notice arrives each June. That sounds like a lot, but it is simple once you know it. Put the June notice on your calendar, and ask your dealer to set up service visits that line up with the inspections.

If your home is in Kent or Sussex County, the path is lighter. These counties do not require elevator certificates. You may still need a building permit for the work in your house, so your dealer checks with your local office during the site review and tells you what to expect before the install is booked. If you are building or renovating, tell your builder early so the floor opening and the circuit go into the plans.

Your county decides the paperwork. Your dealer walks you through it.

You may also hear about the state rule on emergency calls. Delaware law says an elevator that carries people must have a way to reach someone outside at any hour. That rule does not apply to private homes, though a county or town may set its own rules to carry it out. Ask your dealer to confirm what applies at your address, so there are no surprises.

The weather matters too. Delaware has been hit by winter storms, nor'easters and tropical storms, and big weather events have come more often in recent years. Hurricane Sandy cut power across the state. If the power goes out while The Cube is moving, it lowers at a calm speed to the lowest landing and the door unlocks. A cabin parked at a landing stays there, so during a storm you may want to leave it on the floor you use most. Ask your dealer which landing makes the most sense as your lowest stop.

If your home is near the water or a stream, check your flood risk before you choose the lowest stop. The state works with FEMA to keep flood maps current, and the Delaware Flood Planning Tool lets you look up your own property online. Because The Cube needs no pit, there is no hole below the floor to fill with water. Your dealer can help you pick the floor plan that makes the most sense for your lot.

A large share of people in Delaware are older adults, and many want to stay in the homes they know. That is who The Cube is for. A couple in a two-story house can keep the upstairs bedroom they love. A family can make room for a parent who is moving in, without giving up the second floor. A homeowner who is renovating can plan the elevator now and enjoy it for years. A free consultation is the easy way to see how it fits your rooms.