A proper maintenance program will minimize shutdowns and help to ensure elevators’ optimum performance.
An increase in service calls or a higher than average number of regular service calls is a clear indication of slipping reliability and a signal that your elevators should be evaluated. This might be a good time to get a second opinion from another company regarding your maintenance program.
You need to make sure that your current provider is performing the proper preventive maintenance for your equipment or as outlined in your contract. You might be receiving primarily “call back” service rather than a consistent schedule of preventive maintenance. If that’s not what you agreed to with your maintenance company, bring it to its attention. If you have a “budget conscious” agreement with an elevator company that calls for your elevators to be serviced only when there is a problem, it will not keep them in good working shape for a long time. Consider finding an elevator service provider that offers a comprehensive maintenance program that you can afford. Reliable elevator service might cost less than replacing occupants who tire of your building’s “bad elevators” and don’t want to renew their leases.
There are a few key questions to ask potential service providers:
- What is your response time to trap calls?
- How many times a month and/ or hours of maintenance will my elevators receive?
- What is considered an overtime call? (If overtime is not included in your contract.)
- Do you maintain replacement parts in your facility?
- Where is the facility?
- Do you have a standard maintenance program that all technicians follow? If so, what does it include?
Companies that have standardized maintenance procedures ensure a specific level of consistency from all of their technicians. Most elevator contracts are for a 3-5 year term and automatically renew for the same duration. In order to keep your contract from automatically renewing, most companies require written notice, typically 90 days prior to renewal date. You should know this date, if you consider making a change. Also, be aware that if proper notice is not given, you will be locked into the automatic renewal with no recourse