The Hidden Costs of Elevator Downtime (And How to Avoid Them)

February 2, 2026

More Than Just an Inconvenience

When your elevator goes down, the costs start adding up immediately — and they go far beyond the repair bill. For building owners and property managers in South Florida, understanding these hidden costs is crucial for making smart maintenance decisions.

The True Cost of Elevator Downtime

1. Lost Productivity

In a commercial building, employees waiting for elevators or climbing stairs lose valuable work time. Studies show a single elevator outage can cost businesses thousands in lost productivity per day.

2. Tenant Dissatisfaction

Nothing frustrates tenants faster than unreliable elevators. In residential buildings, this leads to complaints, negative reviews, and ultimately — vacancies. The cost of tenant turnover far exceeds regular maintenance investments.

3. Emergency Repair Premiums

Reactive repairs cost 3-5x more than preventive maintenance. When you call for emergency service, you pay premium rates, expedited parts shipping, and often overtime labor.

4. Liability Exposure

An out-of-service elevator forces people to use stairs, increasing slip-and-fall risks. For those with mobility challenges, it can mean being trapped on upper floors — a serious ADA compliance and liability concern.

5. Property Value Impact

Buildings with unreliable elevators sell for less and command lower rents. Your elevator system directly affects your property investment.

Prevention is the Best Investment

The math is simple: regular preventive maintenance costs a fraction of emergency repairs and downtime losses. A comprehensive maintenance program includes:

  • Monthly inspections and adjustments
  • Proactive component replacement before failure
  • 24/7 monitoring and rapid response
  • Documentation for code compliance

The Brouss Approach

We offer three maintenance tiers designed for different needs and budgets. All include our 2-hour response guarantee — because when problems do occur, speed matters.

Our non-proprietary equipment philosophy means you are never locked into expensive parts or service contracts. You maintain control over your elevator investment.

Calculate Your Risk

How old is your elevator? When was the last comprehensive inspection? If you cannot answer confidently, it is time for an assessment.

Contact Brouss Elevators at 786.308.9128 for a free elevator evaluation. We will identify potential issues before they become costly emergencies.

Elevating South Florida since 2016.

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