The elevator industry is evolving rapidly, making it increasingly challenging for building owners and property managers to navigate. Many elevators are now over 20 years old, and the shortage of skilled technicians makes maintenance and repairs more difficult. Major OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) companies are tightening their control, limiting opportunities to work with independent service providers or source non-proprietary parts. At the same time, smaller independent companies are emerging, adding more factors for buildings to consider.
The result is costly repairs, unexpected change orders, and long-term financial setbacks for those who don’t have an elevator expert in their corner. Many building owners and managers don’t realize just how essential a professional elevator consulting firm can be until they face a major financial or operational disaster.
Elevator repairs and modernization projects are often more complicated than they initially appear. Without proper oversight, building owners frequently find themselves dealing with incomplete work, surprise costs, and elevator service providers who put their own interests first. Two recent situations illustrate just how damaging it can be to take on elevator projects without expert guidance and how hiring an elevator consultant could have prevented costly mistakes.
The $48,000 Jack Replacement Mistake
A building recently underwent a jack replacement, a critical repair for hydraulic elevators intended to resolve long-standing issues. Instead of hiring an elevator consulting firm to oversee the project, the management team decided to handle it themselves. Within a few months, the same elevator began malfunctioning again. When the building contacted its service provider, the company claimed the new problem was unrelated to the previous repair and offered a proposal for additional work. The management team was frustrated, having just spent a significant amount of money only to face more expenses.
Further investigation revealed that a crucial step in the jack replacement process had been skipped. As a result, the initial repair remained incomplete, and the elevator issues resurfaced. The building now faced a $48,000 repair—a cost that proper project management could have avoided.
Hiring an elevator consultant would have prevented this outcome. The consultant would have ensured the repair scope covered all necessary steps, held the service provider accountable for completing the work correctly, and conducted a final survey to confirm the job was done properly. By trusting the elevator company to manage itself, the building incurred unnecessary costs and delays that careful oversight could have prevented.
This situation is not uncommon. Elevator companies don’t always disclose every detail of their work, and unless you have industry expertise, it’s easy to overlook what’s missing. An elevator consultant brings that expertise to the table, ensuring that building owners aren’t caught off guard by costly surprises down the road.
A $200,000 Change Order That Could Have Been Avoided
A multibillion-dollar property management firm recently undertook a $700,000 elevator modernization project. The company recognized the value of having a professional elevator consulting firm involved, but decided to cut consulting fees to fit within a $15,000 consulting budget. The team fully understood that this decision would reduce the scope of work and agreed to proceed. They were confident they did not need all the steps outlined in the consultant’s scope of work.
As the project progressed, the firm realized that it had underestimated how much expertise it needed. They began reaching out to the elevator consultant with additional questions and service requests, leading to extra consulting fees that ultimately cost more than the original budgeted amount.
The bigger issue arose because the consultant lacked access to critical areas of oversight, causing the elevator company to miss key tasks. This oversight led to a $200,000 change order—an entirely preventable expense.
If the consultant had been involved from the start with a full scope, they could have identified potential risks early. Ensured the elevator company followed proper procedures and helped negotiate more favorable contract terms. Instead, the firm tried to cut costs in the wrong areas and ended up spending far more than necessary.
Why the Elevator Industry Is Becoming More Difficult to Navigate
The elevator industry is changing, and buildings without expert guidance are increasingly at risk of overpaying for repairs, falling victim to incomplete work, and facing unnecessary downtime. Aging elevator equipment requires specialized knowledge to maintain properly, and the current labor shortage means fewer skilled technicians are available. Many newer technicians also lack experience and training with older elevator systems, leading to poor service quality.
Additionally, major OEMs are making it more difficult for buildings to use independent service providers or source non-proprietary replacement parts.
This greater control reduces competition and forces building owners into long-term contracts, often increasing costs and limiting flexibility. As a result, many buildings unknowingly pay more than they should for maintenance, labor, and repairs.
With economic pressures mounting, it’s understandable that property managers and building owners are looking for ways to cut costs. However, eliminating professional elevator consulting from the budget is a short-sighted move that often leads to much greater expenses later on.
The True Cost of Not Hiring an Elevator Consultant
A professional elevator consulting firm does more than oversee projects; it protects a building’s financial interests by ensuring fair pricing, preventing unnecessary repairs, and verifying that all work is completed correctly and on time. Without an elevator consultant,
buildings often end up paying for avoidable issues, including unnecessary repairs, surprise change orders, delays, and repeated fixes for the same problem.</p>
Buildings that attempt to navigate the elevator industry on their own frequently find themselves at the mercy of their elevator service providers. While many companies operate with integrity. Their ultimate goal is to maximize their own profits, not necessarily to find the most cost-effective solutions for their clients. Without an independent elevator expert reviewing contracts, inspecting work, and verifying pricing, building owners have little protection against inflated costs and incomplete service.</p>
Investing in an elevator consultant pays for itself by uncovering hidden costs, negotiating better terms, and ensuring projects start and finish correctly. Rather than seeing consulting fees as an expense, consider them a safeguard against the far greater financial risks of mismanaged elevator projects.</p>
Don’t Let Elevator Companies Take Advantage of You
If you own or manage a building with elevators, hiring an elevator consultant is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make. The Elevator Consultants have helped countless clients avoid costly mistakes, hidden fees, and unnecessary repairs. By ensuring that every aspect of your elevator maintenance, repair, or elevator modernization project is handled correctly from the beginning, we save you time, money, and stress.</p>
Contact us today for a consultation and ensure your next elevator project is done right the first time.
FAQs
What does an elevator consultant do?
An elevator consultant helps building owners and property managers navigate the complexities of all elevator issues. Whether it is elevator maintenance, elevator invoices, elevator service providers’ proposals, elevator repairs, or elevator modernizations. They ensure they get fair pricing, quality work, and long-term cost savings.
How can an elevator consultant save my building money?
You can optimize elevator performance and reduce costs by preventing unnecessary repairs and minimizing unexpected change orders. Negotiating better service terms, addressing issues proactively, and holding service providers accountable also contribute to greater efficiency.
Why are elevators so expensive to maintain?
Aging equipment, a shortage of skilled labor, and major OEMs restricting access to parts and services are all driving up costs. These are just a few.
Can I manage an elevator project without a consultant?
Yes, but it’s risky. Without expert oversight, you may overpay, receive incomplete work, or face surprise expenses later on.
How do I know if my elevator company is overcharging me?
An elevator consultant can audit invoices, compare costs, and identify inflated pricing. A consultant can answer any of your elevator problems.
Should I always go with the cheapest elevator maintenance contract?
Not necessarily—cheaper contracts often have hidden costs that result in more expenses down the road. It really depends on several scenarios.
If you own or manage a building with elevators, you can’t afford to go at it alone. The Elevator Consultants have helped countless clients avoid costly mistakes, hidden fees, and unnecessary repairs.