Have you decided to hire an elevator consultant? Which elevator consulting firms should you evaluate and select?

Elevator consulting firms

Similar to elevator maintenance companies, their are both local and national (even international) consulting firms.

National Elevator consulting firms

Lerch Bates is the oldest and largest elevator consulting firms in the world, with over 35 offices internationally and over 50 years of experience. Lerch Bates designed the elevator specifications for the Freedom Tower and Burj Khalifa. If you want a name brand, Lerch Bates is your choice.

Van Deusen and Associates (VDA) is another large consulting firm that is approaching 40 years old and has offices in the United States and Canada. VDA is another name brand that people recognize.

The BOCA Group is another large consulting firm with over 20 years experience and a national presence. Founded in NYC they have expanded across the country, and have an office in Los Angeles.

Michael Blades and Associates is the youngest of the national firms I will mention. MBA has over a decades experience. MBA is located in the Washington DC area. Recently, they expanded their presence to cover elevator consulting jobs across the country. They have added multiple consultants over the past 5 years and are expanding quickly.

How do the large elevator consulting firms operate?

Most of the firms I mentioned above have primary consultants. The primary consultants design elevator maintenance specifications, elevator modernization bids, host walkthroughs with elevator vendors, and review elevator maintenance agreements/elevator repair proposals.

However, outside contractors perform most elevator inspections. These contractors are usually retired elevator mechanics. They write reports that highlight the performance of the elevator and assess the elevator maintenance companies performance. These reports are then passed onto the primary consultants who send the report to building management.

Local elevator consulting firms

Local elevator consulting firms are a challenge to find. They won’t appear on the first page of Google, like the national firms do.

Most local firms are run by one or two retired elevator mechanics who want to offer their expertise to their local community. To locate them, talk to the elevator mechanic who works on your elevator. The local mechanics have a tight knit community, and can point you in the right direction.

The benefit of a local elevator consulting firm is that the same person who actually inspects your elevators will likely be the consultant you work with throughout the process. The downside of a local consulting company, is that if the consultant has limited knowledge about your type of elevator they may have limited resources to help you.

Finding an elevator consultant is challenging. If you would like me to connect with you with my vetted elevator consultant send me a line.

Elevator modernization cost

You have an old elevator that needs a modernization or your elevator consultant is telling you its time to modernize.

Now your question is, how much will this elevator modernization cost?

Hydraulic elevator modernization cost

Depending on where your building is located and the amount of work you need done, a typical modernization cost will range from $50,000 to $150,000. Typical hydraulic elevator modernizations include new controllers, door equipment, control operating panels, and tank units. However, if your in ground cylinder need replacing this can add a significant cost. Finally, many jurisdictions around the country require additional building work during an elevator modernization to bring the rest of the elevator up to code. Please note that most hydraulic elevator modernization costs do no include re-doing the elevator interiors.

Traction elevator modernization cost

Again, depending on where your building is located and the amount of work you need done a traction elevator modernization cost can range from $100,000 – $250,000 +.  Typical traction elevator modernizations include the controller, door equipment, control operating panels, and ropes. The range can be so large because replacing door equipment for a 5 story traction elevator versus a 60 story traction elevator clearly adds a lot of costs in parts and labor.   Another large traction elevator modernization cost is replacing the machines. This is often optional and depends on the condition of your current machines. The machines contain the motor.

Old traction elevators had DC drive systems which would convert AC building power to DC power for the drive. New elevators have AC drives meaning there is no need to convert power saving your building money. However. changing the drive is an added expense. Just like with hydraulic elevator modernizations your building may need to be brought up to code and elevator interiors are an extra charge.

Is the cost of my elevator modernization to much?

If you receive a proposal for a modernization, its hard to know if you are being given a fair price. Often times, especially with traction elevator modernizations, building owners will hire an elevator consultant. The consultants can help walk you through the process and issue a formal specifications and request for proposal.

Finding an elevator consultant is challenging. If you would like me to connect with you with my vetted elevator consultant send me a line.