The 7 Most Expensive Elevator Mistakes Building Owners Make
Most building owners don’t think about their elevators until something goes wrong.
As long as the equipment is running, tenants aren’t complaining, and inspections are passing, elevators often become an afterthought.
Unfortunately, elevators are among the most expensive and complex assets in a building. Small mistakes made today can lead to major financial consequences tomorrow.
After years of evaluating elevator systems, reviewing maintenance contracts, conducting due diligence inspections, and assisting owners with modernization projects, we’ve noticed a common pattern:
The most expensive elevator problems are often preventable.
Here are the seven costliest mistakes building owners make—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing the Lowest Price Instead of the Lowest Lifecycle Cost
One of the most common mistakes occurs before the elevator is even installed.
Many owners and developers focus heavily on:
- Initial construction cost
- Lowest modernization proposal
- Lowest equipment bid
What often gets overlooked is the total cost of ownership.
A system that costs 10% less today may result in:
- Higher maintenance costs
- More expensive repairs
- Limited service options
- Greater downtime
- Earlier modernization requirements
In many cases, the lowest upfront cost becomes the highest long-term cost.
Better Approach
Evaluate:
- Lifecycle cost
- Serviceability
- Equipment longevity
- Maintenance flexibility
Not just installation price.
Mistake #2: Installing Proprietary Equipment Without Understanding the Consequences
Many building owners don’t realize they are purchasing a proprietary system until years later.
Once installed, they discover:
- Limited maintenance competition
- Sole-source parts
- Software restrictions
- Reduced negotiating leverage
This often leads to:
- Higher repair costs
- Longer shutdowns
- Increased dependence on a single provider
The decision made during construction can impact costs for decades.
Better Approach
Understand the difference between proprietary and non-proprietary systems before making a purchase decision.
Mistake #3: Treating Elevator Maintenance as a Commodity
Many owners assume all maintenance contracts provide similar value.
They don’t.
Maintenance programs can vary dramatically in:
- Labor hours
- Preventive maintenance efforts
- Component coverage
- Testing responsibilities
- Reporting requirements
Choosing a maintenance provider based solely on price often results in:
- Reduced preventive maintenance
- Increased repair frequency
- Shorter equipment life
The cheapest contract frequently becomes the most expensive relationship.
Better Approach
Evaluate maintenance quality, scope, and performance—not just monthly cost.
Mistake #4: Waiting Too Long to Modernize
Many owners view modernization as something to avoid for as long as possible.
While understandable, this approach often backfires.
As equipment ages:
- Repair frequency increases
- Parts availability declines
- Downtime becomes more common
- Emergency costs rise
Eventually owners reach a point where:
- Repairs are no longer economical
- Reliability has deteriorated
- Modernization becomes urgent
Urgent modernizations are almost always more expensive than planned modernizations.
Better Approach
Develop a modernization roadmap before the equipment forces the decision.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Small Problems
Most major elevator failures begin as minor issues.
Examples include:
- Door problems
- Occasional shutdowns
- Leveling issues
- Strange noises
- Intermittent faults
Many owners hear:
“We’ll keep an eye on it.”
Then six months later:
“The elevator is out of service.”
Small problems are often warning signs—not inconveniences.
Better Approach
Track recurring issues and investigate patterns before they become failures.
Mistake #6: Operating Without a Capital Plan
Few building systems require long-term planning more than elevators.
Yet many buildings have:
- No reserve analysis
- No modernization forecast
- No replacement strategy
- No equipment condition assessment
As a result, owners are forced into:
- Emergency spending
- Special assessments
- Deferred repairs
- Budget surprises
Nothing drives costs higher than making major decisions under pressure.
Better Approach
Develop a 5-, 10-, and 15-year elevator capital plan.
Mistake #7: Never Obtaining Independent Advice
Perhaps the most expensive mistake of all is relying exclusively on parties who have a financial interest in the outcome.
This doesn’t mean contractors are acting improperly.
However, contractors are often responsible for:
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- Modernization work
- Parts sales
Owners frequently make major decisions without independent validation.
Examples include:
- Large repair proposals
- Modernization recommendations
- Obsolescence claims
- Equipment replacement decisions
Without independent oversight, it can be difficult to determine whether recommendations are:
- Necessary
- Urgent
- Cost-effective
- In the owner’s best interest
Better Approach
Use an independent elevator consultant to verify major decisions and protect your investment.
The True Cost of These Mistakes
Individually, each of these mistakes can cost thousands of dollars.
Combined, they can result in:
- Hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenditures
- Increased downtime
- Tenant dissatisfaction
- Accelerated equipment deterioration
- Reduced property value
The unfortunate reality is that many of these costs are avoidable.
How Building Owners Can Protect Themselves
The most successful building owners take a proactive approach.
They:
- Understand their equipment
- Plan for future needs
- Review maintenance performance
- Evaluate proposals carefully
- Seek independent expertise when necessary
Most importantly, they treat elevators as long-term assets—not just building equipment.
The Bottom Line
Elevators are among the most expensive systems to own, maintain, and replace.
The good news is that the most costly mistakes are often the easiest to avoid.
With proper planning, informed decision-making, and independent oversight, building owners can significantly reduce lifecycle costs while improving reliability and tenant satisfaction.
The question isn’t whether you’ll spend money on your elevators.
The question is whether you’ll spend it strategically—or reactively.
Want to Avoid Costly Elevator Mistakes?
KDA Elevator Consultants helps building owners, property managers, HOAs, healthcare facilities, and commercial real estate investors make informed elevator decisions through independent inspections, maintenance audits, capital planning, modernization consulting, and due diligence assessments.
📞 484-995-3642
📧 john@kdaelevatorconsultants.com