Choosing an elevator maintenance company is a decision that affects your building's safety, your budget, and your peace of mind. The wrong choice can mean frequent breakdowns, angry residents, and unexpected repair bills. Here is how to choose wisely.
Key Factors to Evaluate
1. Response Time Guarantees
This is the most important factor for building managers. Ask specifically:
- What is your guaranteed response time for emergencies?
- What counts as an emergency vs. routine call?
- Do you have technicians in my immediate area?
- Is response time guaranteed in writing in the contract?
At Brouss, we guarantee response in under 2 hours - and we put it in writing.
2. Local Presence and Technician Count
A company with distant technicians cannot respond quickly. Ask:
- How many certified technicians do you employ?
- How many work in my county specifically?
- What is the typical drive time to my building?
3. Equipment Expertise
Elevators vary dramatically by manufacturer and age. Ensure your provider can handle your specific equipment:
- Do you service all elevator brands?
- What specialized training do your technicians have?
- Can you work on older legacy systems?
- Do you use non-proprietary parts?
4. 24/7 Availability
Elevators fail on weekends and holidays too. Confirm:
- Is your phone answered 24/7 by a person (not voicemail)?
- Are after-hours calls included in the contract or extra?
- What is the callback fee structure?
Red Flags to Avoid
Walk away if you encounter these warning signs:
- Long-term contracts with cancellation penalties - Good companies earn your business monthly
- Vague scope of work - If they will not detail what is included, expect surprise bills
- Proprietary parts clauses - This locks you in and inflates costs
- No guaranteed response times - If they will not commit, they cannot deliver
- Poor references - Always check with current customers
- High technician turnover - Indicates management problems
Questions to Ask References
When checking references, ask:
- How long have you worked with this company?
- How quickly do they respond to emergency calls?
- Have you experienced unexpected charges?
- Would you recommend them to other buildings?
- What is their biggest weakness?
Getting Competitive Bids
Always get at least three proposals. When comparing:
- Ensure all bids cover the same scope of work
- Compare the exclusions list carefully
- Factor in response time value - cheap service is expensive when you wait all day
- Ask about rate increase caps for multi-year agreements
The Brouss Difference
We are a family business founded in 2016 with over 40 technicians serving all of South Florida. We service all elevator brands, use non-proprietary parts, and guarantee response in under 2 hours. Our clients stay because we deliver - not because a contract forces them to.
Ready to compare your current provider? Call Brouss at 786.308.9128 for a free consultation and competitive proposal.
