Comprehensive Project Process

The installation process involves three stages: pre-construction, manufacturing and installation. For a complete roadmap of the process, check out our project processes page. It gives a detailed and easy-to-read picture of how your system goes from concept to moving up and down a slope on your property.

Depending on your location, either a Hill Hiker, Inc. factory certified installation crew, a certified Hill Hiker® dealer or a certified local partner with on-site direction from a certified Hill Hiker, Inc. lead technician.

If you are in the US and looking for a residential system, check out our comprehensive table outlining state elevator permit and install requirements across all 50 states

Most likely, yes. We are truly a small, family company serving the world. From hard to reach places like a remote island with 40 foot tides to urban environments, our team can bring our systems to your country or state.  

Here’s a map detailing our past and present projects. Don’t see your area on the map? Don’t fret. Our team is always looking to expand to new places.

In the market for a residential system in the US? Check out our comprehensive table outlining residential inclined elevator permitting, licensing, and installation requirements across all 50 states.

If your project is in North America, Central America, The Caribbean, Australia or New Zealand, we already have experience and units installed in your area. If your project is in the EU, we are currently in the process of obtaining the necessary CE product certification marks to begin offering our funicular trams and lifts in your area. If you’re anywhere else in the World, let’s talk, we would love to learn more about your project and see what we can do for you.

The number and types of permits required completely depend on the project location. In some regions, no permits are required at all, and in others, you may need permits from the state level all the way to the city and even neighborhood.

If you are building a residential system in the US, check out our 50-state permitting guide to see the specific elevator licensing and installation rules for your area.

Potential permit types:
– State/City Elevator Permit – for the safety of the elevator, based on ASME A17.1 5.1 or 5.4, pulled by Hill Hiker, inc. or Hill Hiker, Inc. Dealer.
– Local Building Permit – for elevator structure, pulled by local contractor, Hill Hiker, Inc. or Hill Hiker, Inc. Dealer.
– Electrical Permit – for electrical to the elevator, pulled by local licensed electrician.
– Specialty Permits – DNR, local waterways regulating agencies, Army Corp of Engineers, Hydro Power Companies, etc.
– Neighborhood Approvals – some communities require their own building approvals.

We have successfully installed our inclined elevator systems in some of the strictest places to work across the country including the City of Los Angeles and the State of Michigan. We have the first ever commercial or residential permitted inclined elevators in many States like Wisconsin, Maryland and Georgia. We have worked with organizations like the Smithsonian Institute, TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority), PGE (Pacific Gas & Electric), Thyssenkrupp and Louis Dreyfus Company.

Bottom Line: Hill Hiker, Inc. is well versed in these matters and has the experience and knowledge, not to mention the licenses and code compliant product, to get your project through the permit process.

Yes. We can visit the site to go over things. Every project is unique and some will require many site visits prior to installation while others will not require any sales or pre-construction visits. Depending on the location of your site we may ask for reimbursement for travel expenses. Generally we recommend:
An initial consultation on site with the owner present to determine the rough location of the Hill Hiker®, take measurements, determine the type of system required, answer any questions and discuss what to expect prior to or just after signing the contract.
Another site visit before construction on site is scheduled to start with all contractors and an owner’s representative present to layout the final location, share instructional documents, discuss order of operations and answer any questions.

– Hill Hiker, Inc. – to manufacture the elevator lift
– Hill Hiker, Inc. or Hill Hiker, Inc. dealer / partner – to install the elevator lift
– Electrician – to provide power to the elevator lift
– Carpenter – to install landing station platforms after the elevator lift installation
– Concrete Contractor – may be needed depending on type of system selected for support foundation
– General Laborers – may be needed depending on contract terms to assist during the elevator lift install
– Crane, backhoe or skid steer and operator – may be needed depending on project site and contract terms for moving heavy components

Each foundation type offers its own benefits and best uses. Every hill should be evaluated to determine the best foundation options for its soil type, length, angle of incline and other unique features. We offer a wide range of support components to attach our systems to different foundations types including:
– Step Footings –  Best for ease of layout. Installed By Others.
– Columns / Piers – Best for a clean finished look. Installed By Others.
– I-Beams – Best for spanning large areas and minimizing footings. Installed By Others.
– Helical Screws – Best for sandy and/or loose soils. Installed By Others.
– Hydraulic Piles – Best for speed of install and minimizing concrete. Installed By Hill Hiker.
– Buried Posts – Best if concrete is preferred over hydraulic piles. Installed By Hill Hiker.
Hill Hiker, Inc. is one of the only companies to offer a full range of foundation compatibility and design options to best meet the challenges of any hillside. To learn more, check out our options page.

Hill Hiker®’s portion of the install takes about 1-2 week for most projects.
Project Phases:
– Pre-construction: design, engineering, permitting, planning
– Manufacturing: ordering, fabrication, material finish, assembly, QC, shipping
– Installation: clearing, foundation, system install, landings, inspection, close out
The entire project duration from start (down payment) to finish (inspection) can vary greatly and depends on many factors such as the complexity of the system, material ordering lead times, the level of engineering, permitting and inspection needed, the foundation and landings type, shipping, etc. Because many of these tasks are out of Hill Hiker®’s control, it can be very hard to give accurate and complete timelines. If you want to learn more about the project process, check out our Manufacturing and Installation Process page or contact us.

Possibly, but if not we’ve still got you covered. We use a mix of fully self-reliant dealers as well as local partners for specific stages of the project process along with our factory certified crews of traveling technicians that can go just about anywhere in the world. Check out our dealer page to learn more.

If your project is residential and in the US, check out our state-by-state permitting guide for licensing and installation requirements, including our network of local dealers and partners.

If you are interested in becoming a dealer or partner in one or all of our key business areas such as: design, sales, permitting, installation or service, we would love to hear from you. Contact us here.