Residential Elevator Checklist

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 18:09

Residential Elevator Checklist

You have completed the preliminary steps required in your search for a residential elevator. You received at least three proposals from polite, likeable salespeople, all of whom told you that they had “the best elevator on the market.” It is getting closer to decision time, and you are looking for ways to size up the competitors. Here are some basic suggestions and questions to assist you in sorting through these offers.

  1. Automatic versus manual gates. Automatic gates can be left off of a proposal to make a bid more financially attractive—especially if the cab has two openings. This matter should always be discussed, as retrofitting automatic gates can be expensive.
  2. Maintenance contracts. Do they even offer one? One year parts and labor and 24/7 emergency service should be the minimum. What are the terms of the service agreement after the warranty?
  3. Are the companies C11 licensed?
  4. Are the installers properly registered with the State of California with CCCM  licenses?
  5. Is battery back-up failover included in the proposal? Everybody gets power outages.
  6. Does the proposal list what is and what is NOT included in the base price.  Are options such as fixture upgrades listed with add-on pricing in the proposal?
  7. Liability. Can you get a certificate of insurance? Do they have a minimum of $1,000,000 in coverage?
  8. Are all taxes, shipping charges, and labor part of the bid?
  9. What are the terms of project management? Are site visits limited? What are the qualifications of the site inspector?
  10. Will your elevator be installed per the ASME 17.1 Elevator Standard Code?
  11. How long has the manufacturer of the elevator been in business, and what is their track record? How long have they been installing this particular brand of elevator?
  12. What is more important to you, quality or price?

We have been successfully installing conveyance products for over 25 years. We take pride in our integrity, ability, and consistency. Please contact us at 1-800-954-3887 with any and all inquiries regarding present or future projects!