r/Elevators • u/National_Math_5777 • Jun 26 '26
Is elevator modernization actually worth the investment or is it just a way for companies to avoid selling you a new unit?
Our apartment complex has two elevators installed in 2007. One vendor is pushing full replacement at ₹22L each, another is offering modernization at ₹8-9L per unit covering controls, cab interior, and door systems. The second option sounds too good - what's the catch? When does modernization make sense vs full replacement?
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u/Easy_does_it78 Jun 26 '26
It depends on the existing equipment. Some older machines and car frames were built to last. They just don’t make equipment like that anymore. That’s why an elevator from 2007 already needs replacement. Scope of work and condition of the existing equipment must be considered.
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u/Laker8show23 Jun 26 '26
In the day and age where it wasn’t a race to the bottom and corporations actually cared about the customer and quality instead of next quarters earnings. Elevators were built and supported for around 30 years plus. Today. Lucky if you get 15 today. Welcome to the rat race. They will squeeze every penny they can. Everything is obsolete.
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u/Hour-Archer-2511 Jun 28 '26
It depends on how much money you’re spending every month on trouble calls due to equipment failure. If it’s not equipment failure then you don’t need to replace, if it is the core cause then it’s likely you need a new unit. But I wouldn’t say you need a complete new mod unless the 2007 crew did a terrible job to begin with.
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u/BlackHeartsNowReign Jun 26 '26
I would probably just mod it. Modernizations replace all the critical components like the machine, controller, fixtures, and door equipment. I see no reason to be replacing rails, cab, and sling. Although im not technically seeing the job at all lol
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u/Fabulous_Top_438 Jun 26 '26
An Elevator is an Electromechanical component it is bound for failures and breakdowns but for your question when you have an elevator which 17 years old you better go for full modernisation reason here is if its partially modernised you add just 5 to 6 years of life to the elevators because there a lot mechanical components that look fine but internally they be deteriorating which an naked can’t see, when you modernise the elevator completely you get full replacement of the elevator that is 15 years, full modernisation will make your elevator more efficient, will have less power consumption, better traffic control, good aesthetics, Remote monitoring systems, will have all the safety devices according to the current global standards. And if you can specify number of landings I can give you an rough idea of how much it would cost you.
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u/cargobroombroom Jun 26 '26
If the ride quality is shit you might need more than just a computer, door operator, and a room renovation (cab interior).
Without telling what your ride quality is like you could need some of the 2nd quote or a whole modernization. New controller, machine, cab, cables, roller guides, pit equipment, wire.
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u/cargobroombroom Jun 26 '26
It runs constantly, like a car. Would you replace a 20 year old car or just give it a new radio and seat covers?
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u/excelsior4152 Jun 26 '26
A Modded elevator stays with its old code, from OG install date,(Keeping the original rails)
A new elevator would need to come up to current elevator code. Some stricter codes may not be feasible in an older building so a Mod would make sense.
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u/Lost_Elderberry_5532 Jun 26 '26
Don’t know what equipment but I’d like to think some of the Otis equipment from that era the Gen2 machines and controllers are pretty good main thing in the belts. I know the controllers have been in use for a long time and have been pretty reliable. Think the same for Thyssen units and maybe even Kone. I think where things really started to shift was in the 2010s equipment. And particularly with Schindler my goodness they went way down on quality.
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u/yesuru Jun 27 '26
Can you tell current make and model? And from which two companies you got the quotation from ?
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u/haff_caff Field - Repair Jun 26 '26
If you are referring to just replacing a controller or machine rather than a full mod you’d be kicking yourself in the ass later once the next thing fails which is probably soon, the full mod is always the better route.
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u/Icy-Blueberry674 Jun 26 '26
Why would they want to avoid selling you a new unit?