Author: Gareth Lomax- Director at Ardent Lift Consultancy
The news in 2022 was dominated by the rising energy prices and cost of living crisis, sharpening everyone’s focus on how money is being spent. This, in some cases, sees a ‘race to the bottom’ with people looking at the cheapest options for their various service providers.
However, at Ardent Lift Consultancy we are advocates of seeking best value, as cheapest doesn’t often result in the best value, as corners need to be cut by the supplier to ensure they remain profitable (this is in all industries, not just the Lift Industry). At time of financial difficulty, it is easy to look at the bottom line and forget about the bigger picture until such time as monies are more readily available.
To contextualise this from a lift perspective, if the cheapest maintenance quote leaves the contractor in a position where the contract is unprofitable, they will be forced to reduce the time allocated to a particular lift or portfolio. This will see the lift gradually degrade and it is likely to impact on reliability and longevity of equipment. Coupled to this, breakdowns will likely incur further costs to the client and become a false economy, as overall costs rise beyond the price of a robust maintenance contract.
With the cost of having a maintenance company change a lightbulb in a property coming in at something close to £50 now (factoring call out charges, parking, and VAT), it is unrealistic to expect a lift contractor to maintain a lift based on 12 visits per annum for a basic rate of £700. It’s clear that something will give in these scenarios and thinking outside the box may be required. (i.e., fewer visits, but with more time on site an example of this).
Ensure you know your lift, what it requires and that will help find the right contractor for you!
If not – ask an expert, Ardent Lift Consultancy are always willing to assist.
Horses for Courses
The UK lift industry is made up of many companies, ranging from multinational powerhouses to sole traders and elements such as a nice-looking website or busy social media feed are not necessarily indicative of the size nor capabilities of a business in the modern world.
There are a number of global players who design, manufacture and install their own lift systems. (Otis, Schindler and Kone being three almost household names in this field). These are huge businesses with vast levels of skill and experience within them and they deliver a substantial number of new lift installations across the UK on an annual basis. In fact, since the advent of the MRL (machine room less lift), these businesses have tended to dominate the construction element of the lift industry, providing lifts in greater quantities than the rest of the industry combined. If you live in or manage a block constructed after 2000, chances are it will have one (or more) of these lifts installed within it.
However, despite the expertise in their own product ranges, there are also scores of independent businesses in the UK lift industry that provide different services to the major manufacturers.
The term independent often comes with thoughts of smaller companies. However, some of the independent lift contractors turn over tens of millions of pounds per annum, with large workforces running into the hundreds. Some of these independent businesses have been trading for decades, with huge amounts of experience formed over this time.
The lift industry has just as many suppliers of equipment, with control systems, machines, door equipment and various sundry items coming from all around the world, to potentially be installed within a building you live in.
Subsequently, the lift contractor you choose to maintain your lift could be based on the expertise of the company as a whole. Or just a single individual who is very familiar with the products installed within your property.
SEE OUR FLAT LIVING ARTICLE ON MAINTENANCE ADVICE
The same is true when you select a contractor to undertake capital works on a lift installation. Whether refurbishment or replacement. Whilst the lift industry has dozens of businesses you can work with, it’s always best to pick a company who will be well suited to the individual demands of a scheme.
SEE OUR FLAT LIVING ARTICLE ON MAJOR WORKS
This is where your chosen independent consultant should offer their expert opinion. Alongside advice to guide you through the process, leading to simple, value-for-money decision-making.
ARDENT Lift Consultancy can assist by undertaking our independent lift survey reports, looking at the current condition of lift equipment and highlighting operational issues, typical energy consumption values, predicted lifespan and recommendations with associated budget costing.
For further information, you can contact the Ardent team via their website or by calling 01394 200328.
Alternatively, visit the Flat Living website for more information.
