- Joined
- Oct 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,289
So I bought a building with an elevator. First elevator I've ever owned.
The existing owner had a service provider coming by for a fixed cost of $450/month doing 'inspections and routine maintenance'. No contract in place as the previous one they had signed had expired, yet they were still paying and the service was still being performed.
Since I didn't know anything about elevators I continued under the same arrangement.
In the last two weeks I've had two elevator issues requiring service calls. One totalling $650 and the other, more serious one totalling $2075.
I was billed for these on top of my $450/month which I learned today covers one site visit per month (which entails a ride in the elevator and the serviceman's 'notes' for the month.) not any actual maintenance.
When I baulked at paying the invoices figuring they should at least be partially covered in my monthly maintenance plan I was told the following:
1. Alberta law requires monthly service constracts for all elevators.
2. The union sets the charge-out rates for service calls... which is $250/hour for this company. Interestingly enough if I sign with these guys for another monthly contract at $450 they will cut my call outs to $130/hour UNLESS they have to get back in the truck and go back to the shop at which case I'm back to $250/hour.
Anyone familiar with elevator contracts care to chime in? I'm new to this but it seems crazy to me. I'm waiting for calls back from a couple other companies now.
The existing owner had a service provider coming by for a fixed cost of $450/month doing 'inspections and routine maintenance'. No contract in place as the previous one they had signed had expired, yet they were still paying and the service was still being performed.
Since I didn't know anything about elevators I continued under the same arrangement.
In the last two weeks I've had two elevator issues requiring service calls. One totalling $650 and the other, more serious one totalling $2075.
I was billed for these on top of my $450/month which I learned today covers one site visit per month (which entails a ride in the elevator and the serviceman's 'notes' for the month.) not any actual maintenance.
When I baulked at paying the invoices figuring they should at least be partially covered in my monthly maintenance plan I was told the following:
1. Alberta law requires monthly service constracts for all elevators.
2. The union sets the charge-out rates for service calls... which is $250/hour for this company. Interestingly enough if I sign with these guys for another monthly contract at $450 they will cut my call outs to $130/hour UNLESS they have to get back in the truck and go back to the shop at which case I'm back to $250/hour.
Anyone familiar with elevator contracts care to chime in? I'm new to this but it seems crazy to me. I'm waiting for calls back from a couple other companies now.