Downsizing can feel like the obvious next step when stairs start making a home harder to use. But in Ontario, selling one home and buying another can come with tens of thousands of dollars in transaction costs before the move even happens.
For homeowners who still like their house, neighbourhood, and routine, it may be worth comparing the full cost of moving with the cost of making the current home easier to live in.
That is where the cost of moving in Ontario vs adding a Homelift becomes an important conversation.
Is It Cheaper to Move or Add a Homelift?
In many cases, adding a Homelift may cost less than the transaction costs involved in downsizing.
Of course, every move and every home is different. Actual costs will depend on the property, location, installation needs, finishes, and personal moving plans, but this comparison gives homeowners a useful starting point before making a major decision.
What Downsizing Can Really Cost in Ontario
Many homeowners compare the selling price of their current home with the purchase price of a smaller property, but that does not show the full picture.
The real cost of downsizing in Ontario can include:
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost |
| Real estate commission at a typical 5% | $41,455 |
| HST on commission | $5,389 |
| Ontario land transfer tax on condo purchase | $6,399 |
| Seller’s legal fees | $1,300 |
| Buyer’s legal fees and disbursements | $1,500 |
| Title insurance | $350 |
| Professional local moving costs | $2,000 |
| First year of condo fees | $6,650 |
| Estimated total | $65,043+ |
This estimate is based on an Ontario single-family benchmark home price and an Ontario apartment benchmark price. It gives homeowners a useful starting point for understanding the true cost of moving.
And this total does not include every possible expense.
Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Forget
Even a well-planned move can come with extra costs that are easy to miss at the beginning.
These may include:
- Mortgage penalties
- Staging costs
- Repairs before listing
- Storage fees
- Utility setup or cancellation costs
- New furniture for a smaller space
- Condo move-in fees
- Elevator booking fees in condo buildings
- Changes to insurance, parking, or monthly housing costs
There are also non-financial costs: packing, sorting, coordinating movers, changing addresses, adjusting routines, and leaving a familiar neighbourhood.
For some homeowners, downsizing is still the right move, but it should be a fully informed decision, not just a reaction to stairs.
What Adding a Homelift May Cost Instead
Now picture a homeowner who likes their house, enjoys their neighbourhood, and does not really want to move. The main issue is not the home itself. It is the stairs.
Instead of spending money on selling, buying, packing, moving, and setting up somewhere new, they may choose to put that investment into making their current home easier to live in.
A Homelift can help connect the main levels of the home, making everyday movement more comfortable without changing the whole lifestyle around the house.
Here is how that stay-at-home investment can compare:
| Stay-at-Home Investment | Estimated Cost |
| Cambridge Elevating Homelift | Starting at $32,500* |
| Construction and finishing | $17,500 |
| Estimated total | $50,000 |
*Less applicable government rebates. Final pricing depends on the home, model, installation requirements, finishes, and project scope.
When comparing the cost of moving in Ontario vs adding a Homelift, the difference is not only the number. Moving costs are mostly transition costs. A Homelift is an investment in making the home you already own more comfortable, accessible, and practical for the years ahead.
What Does a Homelift Help With?
A Homelift is designed to make multi-storey living easier. It can help homeowners continue using more of their home comfortably, especially when stairs become tiring, inconvenient, or limiting.
A Homelift may help with:
- Moving safely between two landings
- Carrying laundry, groceries, or household items
- Reducing daily strain from stairs
- Supporting aging in place
- Making the home easier for a spouse, parent, or guest
- Keeping access to bedrooms, laundry, storage, or living areas
- Staying in a familiar neighbourhood and routine
For many homeowners, the main issue is not that the home is too large. It is that the stairs have started to make the home feel less practical.
Downsizing vs Adding a Homelift: Simple Comparison
| Question | Downsizing | Adding a Homelift |
| Do you keep your current home? | No | Yes |
| Do you avoid selling commission? | No | Yes |
| Do you avoid the land transfer tax on a new purchase? | No | Yes |
| Do you avoid packing and moving? | No | Yes |
| Do you keep your neighbourhood and routine? | Not always | Yes |
| Does it solve the stair issue? | Possibly | Yes |
| Does the money improve your current home? | No | Yes |
| Can it support aging in place? | Depends on the new home | Yes |
This is why the cost of moving in Ontario vs adding a Homelift should be reviewed before making a final decision. The less expensive option is not always obvious until all the costs are placed side by side.
When Downsizing May Still Make Sense
A balanced comparison should also include when moving may be the better choice.
Downsizing may make sense if:
- You want less home to maintain
- You want a different location or lifestyle
- You no longer need the space
- You prefer condo living
- Your current home needs major renovations beyond accessibility
- You want to reduce outdoor maintenance
- You are ready for a broader life change
In these cases, moving may be the right decision.
If the main reason for moving is the stairs, a Homelift may be worth considering first.
When Adding a Homelift May Make More Sense
Adding a Homelift may be a practical option if:
- You still like your home
- You want to stay in your neighbourhood
- You want to avoid the stress of selling and moving
- You use multiple floors every day
- You are planning for aging in place
- You want better access without giving up storage, privacy, or outdoor space
- You would rather invest in your current home than pay moving-related costs
This is especially relevant for Ontario homeowners who have lived in their homes for years and do not necessarily want a new lifestyle. They simply want the home to work better.
Why Homeowners Consider Cambridge Elevating Homelifts
Cambridge Elevating Homelifts and residential elevator solutions are designed for homeowners who want improved access without making the home feel institutional.
A Homelift can be planned around comfort, daily use, and the way the home already functions. It can support independence while helping homeowners continue using the spaces they know.
For homeowners comparing options, Cambridge Elevating can help clarify what may fit, what installation could involve, and whether a Homelift is the right solution for the home.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Before deciding whether to downsize or stay put, ask:
How much will moving actually cost?
Look beyond the purchase price. Include commission, HST, land transfer tax, legal fees, moving costs, condo fees, repairs, and possible penalties.
Is the home the problem, or are the stairs the problem?
If the main issue is access between floors, a Homelift may solve the concern without requiring a move.
Will downsizing improve daily life?
For some people, yes. For others, it may mean giving up space, storage, privacy, and a familiar location.
Would staying support aging in place?
If you want to remain in your home longer, a Homelift can be part of a practical aging-in-place plan.
Have you compared both options side by side?
Before selling, compare the true cost of downsizing with the cost of adapting your current home.
Compare Before You Move
The decision to downsize is personal. It is about money, comfort, lifestyle, family, location, and long-term planning.
Before assuming that moving is the only practical answer, it is worth reviewing the full cost of moving in Ontario vs adding a Homelift.
For some homeowners, downsizing will still be the right path. For others, staying put and improving access between floors may be the smarter financial and personal decision.
Explore Homelifts by Cambridge Elevating to see whether your current home can be made easier, safer, and more comfortable for the years ahead.
