Who Really Chooses the Elevator? A Building Owner's Guide to Making the Right Decision
The architect designs the building. The contractor builds it. But the building owner has the most at stake when it comes to choosing the right elevator.
When planning a new commercial building, multifamily development, or other facility, elevator selection is often treated as just another item on the construction checklist. The architect incorporates the hoistway into the plans, the contractor coordinates installation, and the elevator company supplies the equipment.
But there's another perspective worth considering: the building owner's.
The owner is the person investing in the property, managing the budget, setting expectations for the finished building, and ultimately living with the elevator's performance for years to come.
At Georgia Lift Solutions, we believe owners should be involved in elevator selection from the beginning. Understanding your options early can help you make a better investment, avoid unnecessary complications, and choose a system that serves your building well over the long term.
1. Start With How You Intend to Use the Building
Before comparing elevator prices or equipment specifications, consider how people will use your building.
A multifamily property has different transportation needs than a medical office, hotel, school, or commercial building. The number of occupants, frequency of use, accessibility needs, and anticipated traffic all influence the appropriate elevator configuration.
For example, a small office building with relatively light traffic may not need the same capacity or speed as a busy apartment complex. A medical facility may have different requirements for accommodating patients, staff, and equipment.
These differences affect the number of elevators, capacity, speed, number of stops, and other design decisions.
As the owner, you are uniquely positioned to explain the building's purpose and future plans. Share that information with your architect and elevator provider before the design becomes fixed.
The goal isn't simply to install an elevator that works. It's to choose one that fits the building's actual needs without paying for capabilities you don't require.
2. Understand the Full Cost of Your Investment
Every construction project has a budget, and elevator selection can have a meaningful impact on it.
However, the purchase price of the equipment is only part of the equation. The complete cost may include hoistway construction, structural engineering, electrical work, fire protection, installation, inspections, and other project-specific requirements.
Different elevator systems can also create different demands on the building.
That is why owners should evaluate the total installed cost rather than comparing equipment prices in isolation.
Ask your elevator provider to explain what is included in the proposal, what the general contractor must supply, and what additional costs might arise from the proposed design.
It's also worth considering long-term expenses. Maintenance, repairs, energy consumption, and replacement parts all contribute to the cost of owning an elevator.
The cheapest initial proposal may not provide the best long-term value. An informed comparison helps you understand what you're buying and what you can expect to spend after the building opens.
3. Protect Your Construction Schedule
For many building owners, time is money.
A delayed opening can affect lease commitments, tenant occupancy, financing costs, and the start of revenue generation. Because elevators are often essential to building operations and final project completion, their procurement and installation deserve early attention.
Owners should ask questions such as:
How long will equipment manufacturing and delivery take?
What must be completed before installation can begin?
How much onsite construction and coordination will be required?
What testing and inspections must occur before the elevator can be placed into service?
What could delay the process?
Some elevator solutions may offer opportunities to simplify construction or reduce onsite assembly, depending on the building and system selected.
The important point is to evaluate these possibilities early, while the project team still has options.
Your elevator provider should help establish realistic expectations and identify the decisions that must be made to keep the project moving.
4. Think Beyond the Opening Day
When a new building opens, the construction team moves on to its next project. The owner remains responsible for operating the property.
That makes long-term serviceability one of the most important considerations in elevator selection.
Before approving a system, find out how it will be maintained, whether replacement parts are readily available, and who can provide qualified service when something goes wrong.
Ask about maintenance agreements, expected service requirements, emergency response procedures, and the availability of technicians familiar with the equipment.
It is also worth understanding whether the system relies on proprietary components or specialized tools that could limit your future service options.
No elevator can be guaranteed to operate without repairs or downtime. However, choosing appropriate equipment and establishing a good maintenance relationship can help protect your investment and reduce avoidable disruptions.
At Georgia Lift Solutions, we provide installation, service, repair, and modernization solutions because we understand that an elevator's life extends far beyond the initial installation.
5. Recognize That Your Architect Needs Your Input
Architects are responsible for turning your vision into a coordinated, code-compliant building design. They bring valuable technical expertise, but they cannot make every business decision on your behalf.
Your architect needs to understand your priorities.
Is minimizing the initial construction cost most important? Are you planning to hold the property for decades? Is the opening date particularly important? Do you need to maximize rentable square footage? Will the building serve occupants with specific accessibility needs?
These answers can influence the choice of elevator system and the way it is incorporated into the building.
Once the design is substantially complete, changing the elevator configuration can require revisions to structural plans, floor layouts, electrical provisions, and construction schedules.
The earlier you communicate your priorities, the more flexibility your design team has to evaluate alternatives.
Involving an elevator professional during early planning gives your architect access to practical information about available systems, space requirements, costs, and installation considerations before major decisions are finalized.
6. Don't Let the Lowest Bid Make the Decision for You
Competitive pricing matters, but an elevator is a complex building system. Two proposals that appear similar may differ significantly in their scope, equipment, installation requirements, and long-term implications.
Before making a decision, compare the complete proposals.
Make sure you understand the specified equipment, included services, building preparation requirements, warranties, maintenance options, and any exclusions that could affect the final cost.
Also consider the quality of communication you receive. Does the provider answer your questions clearly? Are the technical requirements explained in language you can understand? Will someone help coordinate the elevator portion of the project with your architect and contractor?
A provider who helps you understand the trade-offs is more valuable than one who simply offers a price.
The right decision should reflect the needs of your building, your budget, and your plans for the property—not just the bottom line on a bid sheet.
7. Choose an Elevator Partner Early
One of the simplest ways to improve the elevator selection process is to bring the right people into the conversation before the plans are finalized.
Early collaboration allows the owner, architect, contractor, and elevator provider to address space requirements, structural coordination, applicable codes, costs, and scheduling together.
It also gives the owner an opportunity to understand the available options before the design limits the choices.
At Georgia Lift Solutions, we work with building owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and design-build firms to identify appropriate elevator and lift solutions. We believe in personal service, clear communication, and helping customers understand their options so they can make informed decisions.
Whether you're planning a new commercial building, a multifamily development, or another project requiring vertical transportation, we're ready to help you evaluate your needs and coordinate the process.
Make Your Elevator Decision With Confidence
An elevator is more than a piece of equipment. It is a long-term investment that affects construction costs, building operations, accessibility, and the experience of the people who use your property.
As the building owner, you have an important role in determining which solution makes the most sense.
Define your priorities early. Look beyond the initial price. Consider long-term service requirements. And involve an experienced elevator provider while your project still has room for options.
You don't have to be an elevator expert to make a good decision. You just need the right information and the right partner.
Contact Georgia Lift Solutions to discuss your upcoming project, ask questions, and explore elevator solutions tailored to your building's needs.
Visit www.georgia-elevators.com to get started.
