Owning and maintaining a commercial elevator isn’t exactly cheap. However, it is necessary, and it’s a vital form of property upkeep that not only ensures everyone’s safety but extends the life of your equipment.
According to Home Advisor, the average elevator repair costs between $202 and $484, or about $342. You may pay as low as $100 for a small fix, or as high as $1,900 or more for a complex one. In the event you need a full replacement, you could end up paying out in excess of $10,000, depending on how many stories your building has and what kind of elevator is in place.
It’s less costly to repair a stair lift, with average service calls ranging between $100 and $400. Complete replacement for stair lifts ranges from $2,500 to $5,500 if you have a straight, single-floor lift. It will be more for multiple stories.
Regularly scheduled maintenance can take the sting out of paying for a major fix and help prevent inconvenient downtime in the middle of a workday. Such scheduled maintenance plans typically range between $200 and $300 a year for routine maintenance. To avoid the cost of a full replacement, you may consider modernizing an aging elevator to minimize ongoing repairs, boost its lifespan, and update its look and function.
Troubleshooting
While you should never make commercial elevator repairs yourself, there are a few things you can troubleshoot before calling an elevator repair company.
- Check the circuit breaker or fuse panel to ensure power is still going to the unit. Some elevators will travel to the bottom floor and open on battery power in the event the main power goes out.
- Hit the reset switch. Many elevators have built-in switches designed to restore power in an outage.
- Check for door obstructions. Inspect the track to see if anything is blocking the door from opening and closing properly.
- Check the outer door latch at each floor exit for any obstructions.
Because of the safety factors involved and the technical knowledge that is required, it’s best to call an elevator repair company beyond these troubleshooting tasks to ensure the job is done safely and properly.
For stair lifts, which are much simpler mechanisms, you can check the following before calling the company:
- Check the fuse or circuit breaker to see if there is still power going to the device.
- Hit the reset switch on the
- Check for obstructions on the rail or near the safety switches.
- Test the controls for the origin of the malfunction, whether that’s the joystick on the chair, the wall-mounted call button or the remote control.
If you can narrow down the problem, you could save some money and time.
Types of Modernization Jobs
As elevators age, the need for upgrades increases. Costs for these types of projects can range from $200 to $300 to upgrade railing and fixtures inside the cab to $8,000 or $10,000 to replace the entire control system. To boost the energy efficiency of the unit, you will need to install a new motor or piston, which can range from $10,000 to $15,000.
Here are some benefits to modernization:
- Better energy efficiency
- Reduced wait times
- Faster and smoother rides
- Improved safety and reliability
- Reduced calls to the elevator service company
- Updated look and feel
- Minimal noise and vibration
Contact Mowrey Elevator
If you would like to sign up for our elevator maintenance program, contact us today. The Mowrey Maintenance Agreement covers all preventative maintenance services, including parts and labor.