Elevator Downtime: What It’s Costing You (And How to Reduce It)

Elevator downtime is both inconvenient and expensive. For commercial property owners and managers, even short outages can disrupt daily operations, frustrate tenants, create safety concerns, and drive up repair costs. 

Costs of elevator downtime include: 

• Lost productivity for employees or residents 

• Tenant dissatisfaction and complaints 

• ADA compliance and accessibility risks 

• Emergency repair premiums 

The good news: proactive maintenance, inspections, strategic service planning, and the right service partner can keep your elevators running reliably while controlling long-term costs.

The True Cost of Elevator Downtime 

When an elevator is out of service, the impact goes far beyond the repair bill. Tenants, employees, residents, and visitors all feel the effects—especially in high-traffic commercial or multi-story residential buildings. 

Direct Financial Costs 

• Emergency repair rates vs. scheduled service 

• After-hours or weekend elevator service pricing 

• Replacement parts and rush shipping 

• Repeated breakdowns due to neglected maintenance 

Indirect Costs You May Not Be Tracking 

• Tenant complaints and potential lease non-renewals 

• Reduced property value and marketability 

• Accessibility issues and ADA compliance risks 

• Safety concerns and liability exposure 

• Operational disruptions in hospitals, hotels, offices, and apartments 

At Metro Elevator, we help building owners track service history, monitor performance trends, and identify recurring issues before they turn into major disruptions.

Why Regular Elevator Inspection Prevents Major Breakdowns 

What Happens During an Elevator Inspection? 

During a standard inspection, technicians review critical components, including: 

• Mechanical and electrical systems 

• Doors and control panels 

• Safety devices and emergency systems 

• Ride quality and overall performance 

Regular inspections catch small issues before they escalate, improving reliability and reducing emergency repairs. 

The Cost of Skipping Inspections 

• Small problems becoming major repairs 

• Increased maintenance costs over time 

• Risk of sudden elevator shutdowns 

• Failing compliance audits or safety reviews 

Emergency Elevator Service vs. Preventive Maintenance 

When You Truly Need Emergency Elevator Service 

Situations that warrant emergency intervention include: 

• Elevator stuck between floors 

• Passenger entrapment 

• Safety system failure 

• Flooded elevator 

• Power or control failures 

Why Preventive Maintenance Is More Cost-Effective 

• Predictable budgeting for maintenance costs 

• Reduced downtime and tenant disruptions 

• Extended equipment lifespan 

• Lower long-term elevator maintenance cost 

• Fewer emergency repair calls 

How to Reduce Elevator Downtime in Your Building 

Building owners and property managers can take several actionable steps:

1. Establish a Preventive Maintenance Plan 

Routine maintenance identifies and resolves small issues before they cause outages. 

2. Schedule Routine Elevator Inspections

Inspections ensure compliance, catch hidden problems, and improve reliability. 

3. Track Performance & Repair Patterns

Monitoring metrics like downtime frequency and service history helps anticipate issues. 

4. Partner with a Responsive Elevator Service Provider

A reliable partner, like Metro Elevator, prioritizes communication, quick response, and proactive solutions to reduce outages and long-term costs. 

When It’s Time to Reevaluate Your Elevator Maintenance Cost 

Ask yourself: 

• Are you paying too much for reactive repairs? 

• Are emergency calls becoming frequent? 

• Is equipment aging past its optimal lifecycle? 

Taking a proactive approach now can prevent larger costs and disruptions later. 

Reduce Elevator Downtime with Metro Elevator 

Elevator downtime is disruptive—but often avoidable. Combining preventive maintenance, modernization, and the right service partner helps reduce outages, control costs, and keep tenants satisfied. 

Ready to reduce elevator downtime? Contact Metro Elevator today to schedule a system evaluation or request a customized maintenance plan designed to lower your elevator maintenance cost and reduce unexpected downtime. 

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Danial Zarlengo brings over 12 years of experience in the elevator and construction industries to his role as Director of New Construction and Modernization for Metro Elevator Utah. Learn more about Danial and our Utah Division here.