How Building Owners and Property Managers Can Reduce Excessive Elevator Charges

Elevators are essential to daily operations in commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. However, many property owners and managers find themselves facing excessive or unexpected charges related to maintenance, repairs, or service calls. In some cases, these costs are legitimate—but in others, they stem from vague contract terms, poor oversight, or even contractor-driven incentives to increase billable work.

At KDA Elevator Consultants, we help clients reduce elevator-related costs without sacrificing safety or performance. Below are some strategies that building stakeholders can use to control expenses and avoid unnecessary charges.

📋 1. Review and Understand Your Maintenance Contract

Most excessive elevator costs can be traced back to one source: the contract. Many contracts contain unclear language about what is included and what isn’t. To avoid surprises:

  • Ensure the contract clearly defines covered repairs vs. billable extras
  • Watch for vague terms like “minor adjustments” or “routine” service
  • Be wary of auto-renewal clauses and annual escalators
  • Confirm the contract includes preventative maintenance frequency and scope

An elevator consultant can review your agreement and explain where you may be exposed to hidden or unnecessary charges.

🔧 2. Monitor Maintenance Quality and Frequency

Sometimes, service providers minimize onsite time to cut their own costs—while still billing the same monthly fee. Over time, this neglect leads to premature wear and unplanned repairs. You can reduce costs by:

  • Verifying that technicians are completing full scheduled maintenance
  • Keeping a log of technician visits and services performed
  • Asking for service reports after each visit
  • Scheduling third-party maintenance audits to assess compliance

Regular oversight can reduce breakdowns and flag poor performance early.

💸 3. Scrutinize Repair Proposals and Invoices

When unexpected breakdowns occur, it’s critical to evaluate repair proposals before approving the work. Here’s how:

  • Ask for multiple quotes, especially on costly repairs
  • Get a detailed scope of work and parts list
  • Confirm if the repair is covered under your contract or warranty
  • Be alert for terms like “obsolete,” which may be used to justify full replacements when repairs are possible

KDA routinely assists clients in reviewing invoices and identifying areas of overcharging or unnecessary work.

🧰 4. Standardize Non-Proprietary Equipment

Proprietary elevator systems often require you to use a specific vendor for service and parts, limiting competition and cost control. To avoid this:

  • Specify non-proprietary equipment in new installations or modernizations
  • Ensure that tools, passwords, and manuals are made available to other qualified vendors
  • Keep control over your elevator system instead of becoming locked in

This approach gives you the freedom to shop around and negotiate better terms.

📈 5. Plan Ahead With Capital Budgets

Surprise expenses are usually more costly than planned ones. Implementing a capital plan allows you to:

  • Identify equipment near end-of-life before failure occurs
  • Allocate funds for major repairs or modernization proactively
  • Avoid premium pricing for emergency service or rush delivery

A consultant can help you build a multi-year elevator capital plan tailored to your building’s age, usage, and goals.

🛠️ How KDA Elevator Consultants Can Help

At KDA, we’ve helped clients across commercial, residential, and government sectors save thousands by cutting elevator expenses without compromising quality. Our services include:

✅ Contract reviews and negotiation support
✅ Repair and invoice evaluations
✅ Maintenance audits
✅ Modernization planning
✅ Capital budget forecasting

📞 Let’s Reduce Your Elevator Costs

If you’ve been frustrated by recurring or excessive elevator charges, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone either.

Contact KDA Elevator Consultants today to learn how we can help you gain control of your elevator operations, reduce risk, and protect your budget.

📧 john@kdaelevatorconsultants.com
🌐 kdaelevatorconsultants.com
📞 Schedule a contract review or maintenance audit today.

Proactive management and expert oversight can mean the difference between budget stability and surprise elevator bills.