Owning and maintaining a residential elevator can be very affordable initially, but you have to maintain it regularly in order to avoid expensive repairs. This important form of property upkeep not only ensures everyone’s safety but extends the life of your residential elevator equipment.
According to Caring.com, the average cost of home elevator maintenance is $200 to $400 per year. However, several factors may affect that price, and maintenance costs can add about $1,000 to $1,500 per year. The price tag for your annual maintenance costs will depend on the type of elevator you have as well as the number of floors the elevator serves. Look for home elevators with extended warranty periods that keep annual costs down.
Stair lifts are more affordable to own and operate, with the average elevator repair cost being between $202 and $484, or about $342, says Home Advisor. You may pay as low as $100 for a small fix, or as high as $1,900 or more for a complex one. Stair lifts can last for 10 years before needing replacement. A well-maintained elevator may give you up to 20 years or more of service. If you don’t put in the effort to maintain your full residential elevator, replacement will cost around $20,000.
Service calls for stair lifts average between $100 and $400, while complete replacements for stair lifts range from $2,500 to $5,500 for straight, single-floor lifts. You will pay more for multiple stories.
Regularly scheduled maintenance can help you avoid high repair costs and downtime for your family. Scheduled residential elevator maintenance plans typically range between $200 and $300 a year for routine maintenance. To avoid the cost of a full replacement, you could choose to modernize your aging elevator to minimize ongoing repairs, boost its lifespan, and update its look and function.
Residential Elevator Maintenance Tips
Here are some tips on how to keep up with your home elevator’s maintenance tasks and make sure it will keep your family safe.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
When you schedule regular maintenance with a trusted elevator repair company, you can stay abreast of potential issues before they occur. Why wait till something goes wrong? Then you have to wait till it gets fixed, and may end up spending more money than you had budgeted for. Routine maintenance improves functionality and makes for a smoother, faster ride for users.
Perform Inspections in Between Service Visits
In between professional inspections and service calls, do some DIY inspections each day to make sure the lift is operating correctly. Make sure all buttons are working, make sure that the door opens and closes properly, and check for interior damage. It doesn’t have to take a long time – just a few minutes each day or week.
Follow Safety Rules
Owning a fully functional home elevator requires that your family follow safety rules and stay on top of repairs. Here are some general rules to follow:
- Heed the elevator’s weight limit and do not overload it.
- Keep contents two inches away at least from the cab gate and walls.
- Keep the landing doors closed when not in use.
- Do not tamper, bypass, remove or disable door locks or other safety features.
- Make sure the elevator comes to a complete stop before you step in or out.
Contact Mowrey Elevator
If you would like to sign up for our residential elevator maintenance program, contact us today. The Mowrey Maintenance Agreement covers all preventative maintenance services, including parts and labor.