Elevators are complex pieces of equipment that require highly experienced professionals to install them. Sometimes these experts charge exorbitant fees for the installation, management, and repairs. This is partly due to the fact that people aren’t sure what to look for when choosing an elevator system.
Contracts to take care of your expensive equipment need to operate in line with certain business functions, such as a hotel or shopping mall that has regular foot traffic. Elevators also have to stand up to state codes and pass regular inspections while keeping people safe. Here are some things to consider when choosing a service.
Coverage
Depending on the type of elevator and reason of use, certain maintenance plans must be incorporated for consistent scheduling to ensure the equipment is working properly. If an elevator is needed for a busy center or office park, a maintenance plan would need to be a full contract that includes maintenance visits and repairs at a fixed cost. This way, businesses don’t need to budget for service calls that are required between regular visits, as the contract cost includes it.
It is equally important to evaluate all that is included in the cost as well as the exclusions. These can be detrimental in the future if not taken note of before signing a contract. Some common features include 24-hour emergency service, as well as equipment testing and validation. Have a look at ATIS at https://atis.com/ for an example of the different coverage options.
Cost and Safety
Elevators are expensive to install and sometimes the cheapest short-term options can end up costing more. Considering the function of an elevator, its safety is of high importance and the cost needs to reflect this. In the future, maintenance costs will be minimized if a high-quality device is in place.
Consider whether you want to pay monthly, annually, or per term, as each option comes with its conditions. With some monthly options, overtime calls are billed separately and are sometimes overlooked in the fine print.
Specific safety checks have to be in place to deem an elevator safe for passengers, including emergency exits, door protection, signal lights, and foot-pound pressure. Ensure that you receive a checklist of safety requirements and criteria that must be met during annual state visits.
Terms and Conditions
Probably the biggest factor for businesses changing elevator maintenance and repair services is due to the terms and conditions of the contract and the customer service received. A contract may have an “evergreen” clause that initiates automatic renewal of the contract unless otherwise canceled within a standard 30-day requirement. If a business does not take note of this, the renewal payment will go through for another full term when they might have wanted to cancel.
The reputation of the service company chosen and how long it has been in operation are additional criteria that can assist to make a more informed decision. With special consideration of these basic factors, elevator management can be easy and cost-effective.
