When it comes to choosing your elevator service provider, the important thing is not to get stuck. That’s why it’s important to choose an elevator company that best suits your needs and budget. Here are some steps you can take to decide which elevator company is right for you.
1. Compile a list of recommended vendors
Benchmarking your options is always a good idea. Finding an elevator company will likely take a bit of legwork and investigation, but given the level of cost and investment at stake, it’s worth your time.
When seeking out recommendations, gear your search toward other businesses you know and trust. Many businesses have deals in place with elevator companies and can provide insight on what it’s like to work with them.
Now more than ever, it’s also easy to find in-depth information through online reviews. This can be particularly useful if you’re a residential customer and don’t know anyone else who has a home elevator.
2. Ask questions
When vetting elevator companies, don’t just go over price points. To get a feel for whether or not they will be a good fit for you/your business specifically, be sure to go over questions like:
- How long have you been in business?
- What types of clients do you typically work with?
- What types of elevator systems/brands do you have the most experience with?
Learn additional questions to ask your potential elevator company here.
3. Take these factors into account
The elevator industry contains a lot of variation—elevator systems can vary quite a bit in terms of their design, size, complexity, and workload—which means that one company’s expertise may not carry over completely to a client with a different setup.
Also, not all elevator companies build elevators the same way. There are some companies that “frankenstein” an elevator from a multitude of parts and charge a lower price for installation. While this seems cost-effective at the outset, it’s important to know where these elevator parts come from. Sometimes parts derive from companies that no longer exist or proprietary equipment that is difficult to maintain without specialized tooling. Sometimes certain equipment is obsolete and will be difficult for technicians to service properly going forward.
What does this mean for you? Always properly research the company installing your elevator. The elevator company should be transparent about materials and the quality of them.
Different companies also offer varying levels of service, usually split into tiers. Look for companies with service tiers that work well for your business, but also keep in mind that contract terms and length can be negotiable.
4. Communicate your expectations in terms of real-life scenarios
When dealing with contracts that extend months or years into the future, it’s not always easy to foresee what you’re signing up for. Cases of buyers’ remorse happen when the day of reckoning comes and you realize that you’re not as covered as you thought you were.
Imagine all of the scenarios that might affect your elevator along with their ramifications for your enterprise, and check that they’re all covered within the terms of the agreement. Take extra caution in making sure that the language in the contract is clear and unambiguous, and pay particularly close attention to all of the stipulations around service calls. Often, the biggest points of contention between elevator maintenance companies and their customers is regarding the speed and scope of response to service requests.
It’s important to keep in mind that a company’s policies may be geared toward a certain set of clientele with expectations that may differ from yours. If your business or institution requires a level of response above the industry standard, be sure to communicate that need clearly. Like all businesses, elevator companies want to keep their clients happy—knowing all of your needs and expectations upfront will help them tailor their service to your situation.
Have more questions about finding the right elevator service company for you? Genesis is happy to help! Reach out to us online at info@genesiselevator.com. Or call us at 770.423.1095 if you’re in Georgia, 941-234-4254 if you’re in Florida.