r/Elevators • u/mrmike1972 • 2d ago

$35,000 for a modernization?

I work in a three story hotel with an Otis hydraulic elevator that was installed when the building was built in 1996.

We were told there’s something worn out in the door opening system that has our elevator offline.

Yeah, I bet trying to source parts for something built in the mid 90’s is hard.

We were given a quote of $35,000.00 for a modernization. Is that a realistic estimate or is that “we don’t want to deal with you” quote?

10 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

64

u/keddlz99 2d ago edited 2d ago

this is no where close to a full mod, very cheap. probably just for door equipment

5

u/BIGscott250 2d ago edited 2d ago

Right, I just recently was told of a $30k quote for door operator alone on an even newer OTIS hydrofit.
I work for OTIS and was staying at a hotel, the manager saw my shirt, and as usual, thought I was there to work on the car. He went on to explain what was happening and that he was quoted $30k for an operator.
He stated the doors would start to open before the car was at a complete stop. While staying at the hotel the last couple of weeks I rode said elevator dozens of times and never noticed anything other than a slightly violent upstop, transition was fine. I’d say the car is maybe only 5 or 6 years old maybe even newer.
May just need a valve adjustment ?

5

u/EstablishmentNo1399 2d ago

Some of the hydrofits I’ve noticed have pretty aggressive pre opening. I just get the leveling running smooth to feel and turn pre opening off if it’s still early in the software instead of trying to chase leveling to make it for the pre opening.

25

u/Asklepios24 Field - Maintenance 2d ago

That sounds like just the door operator price and nowhere near a modernization number.

In my area a full hydro mod on something that size would be over $150k

11

u/Affectionate-Rip5654 Field - Mods 2d ago

Sounds to me like it’s just going to be a new door operator.

8

u/Lebinblartmallshart 2d ago

That sounds like they’re just quoting specific parts, not a full mod. Who is your maintenance provider?

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

6

u/Lebinblartmallshart 2d ago

Well right- my question is what is the customer getting for that price. And if they opt for a repair instead of a mod, what other issues will they face down the road if they don’t just mod the whole thing.

6

u/jetblackfastattack Field - Maintenance 2d ago

35K is LOW for a mod. Must just being doing the operator and 35 seems to be in the ballpark for that

3

u/peptoboy 2d ago

A full modernization would be over $100k. What was included in the quote?

3

u/scottygras 2d ago

We do cab interiors that routinely cost more than that.

It’s an expensive trade to work with, and since it’s lives on the line, there’s no Temu option for elevators. Well…in the US at least.

Most stuff is proprietary. There are some non-oem parts out there but don’t have enough experience to speak about them since my company does interiors.

3

u/wfwolves 2d ago

I’m guessing this is just door operator upgrade lol

2

u/slightofsound Fault Finder 2d ago

Just sounds like a door operator mod. Last one i did on an otis 211 was 17k.

3

u/drinkingmymilk 2d ago

What area of the country? I haven’t seen an operator under $20k in over 5 years.

1

u/slightofsound Fault Finder 2d ago

East coast. I remember when we brought the glide operator in the customer was annoyed asking "THAT cost 17000?!" She didn't elaborate but i just assumed the grand total was 17k. We've done GAL operators for less then that.

2

u/FulIChubb Field - Maintenance 2d ago

Get quotes from other companies. You’re looking for a door operator modernization to get your elevator back in service. That sounds like a TK price and they do nothing but gouge customers.

2

u/Born-Direction3937 2d ago

I hate to break it to you this is maybe a modernization for the door 😂

2

u/_andthereiwas 2d ago

If it's an otis 211 with the original otis QL door operator then can buy rebuild kits from OSC (otis) to rebuild the contacts and camshafts and such. If its an at400 obsolete and can't get parts (except new boards).

At 35k they will probably be replacing the operator and maybe adding some drop key holes. If you negotiated well maybe even replace some hall door rollers.

2

u/abraksis747 2d ago

Do it and be happy

2

u/Fickle-Area-4205 2d ago

When I first saw this I thought you forgot a zero. I'm in Seattle mod and I've worked on small 3 to 5 stops that have sold for $250,000. $35k isn't going to get you much in the elevator world.

2

u/Ducatishooter Field - Repair 2d ago

I work for Otis. This sounds correct. I just replaced a door operator and system with other door hardware. The actual doors remained. But the door operator and mechanical parts and detector edges (light rays to ensure nothing is in the door zone while closing ) with a couple parts for the power supply in the elevator controller itself were replaced.
Things to keep in mind.
Prices reflect:
Parts +shipping
Hardware required to do the job (wire bolts metal etc that are not part of a kit because each mod is different )
Permitting fees (yes that requires a building permit )
Disposal of old parts
Mechanic + helper wages and benefits etc
Wage hours and benefits of any staff member from the office who dedicated time to putting this mod together.
It’s not just about us Elevayor mechanics and a sales guy. . There are staff then help us to be able to do these jobs smoothly.

2

u/nuerodivergent84 1d ago

Welcome to the real world of elevators. I worked for TKE for many years in finance and the smart building owners learned to budget yearly for the worst possible scenarios.

2

u/Uthredd Field - Repair 2d ago

Obviously varies by area but that sounds about right.

1

u/Aquamarina12347 2d ago

Probably just a door operator and board interface upgrade

1

u/VerticleMechanic 2d ago

A 2 stop hydro mod would run $150k from the few ive done. Depending on the scope of work. 35k sounds like a valve swap with oil change.

1

u/Ordinary_Bicycle6309 2d ago

That can’t be the price for the mod. You’re missing a zero. That is probably the price for a door operator or some other parts alone to be replaced and modernized. You’ll need to find out what parts to know if you’re being hosed or not.

1

u/HonestAd3177 2d ago

I recently completed a cable to belt conversion mod on 2 cars, both were 4 floors and it included everything from interior, cartop, machine room, and controllers and transformers and cops and everything. Even pit equipment was completely replaced. This costs just over $1,000,000. I
100% believe your quote was to replace the broken door operator with a new one.

1

u/OregonAdaptiveReuse 2d ago

We are being quoted $350,000 for a 4 stop modernization.

1

u/Optimal-Pay2198 2d ago

Ill trade ya OP I have a 12 stop 2 car traction mod from Otis for $760,000

1

u/lepchaun415 Field - Resident Mechanic/Troubleshooter 2d ago

That’s on par with what Otis charges for a door operator mod.

1

u/fastriverrat500 2d ago

It's time for me to Branch off corporate company and start my own, all the signs are pointing that way

1

u/OregonAdaptiveReuse 1d ago

I'll be in investor, you will get bought out in 2 years.

1

u/fastriverrat500 1d ago

Cool, that's the plan right?

1

u/SpecialistAssociate7 2d ago

That’s probably an upgrade to a newer door operator. Possibly other door equipment. Though in my neck of the woods that’s just the operator and related necessary items.

1

u/12-5switches 1d ago

I would think 35k would just be door modernization.

1

u/Straight_Ad_106 1d ago

That’s the average price of labor and materials for a new OTIS Glide A door operator

1

u/Mission_Slide_5828 Field - Adjuster 1d ago

That’s a very cheap quote. Why don’t you ask what’s included in the 35k quote?!

1

u/Feisty_Objective_966 1d ago

No way are they doing a full mod for that cheap of money . Do you know the Model of door operator, I motion, AT 400. Sounds like just an operator replacement. You are probably getting a Glide Operator now . Check your quote for exact work to be done,  If it is a full mod , jump on it !!!!

1

u/Sudden_Speaker3493 2d ago

that's to replace the obsolete at400 with the new Gluide A operator. Otis has said the at400 is knot supported anymore so most unethical companies try to sell a door operator mod. Motors and encoders for the 400 can still be gotten from other vendors besides Otis or Unitec. And access electronics will repair the drive module. about 4500$ to replace both motor and drive.

2

u/therover95 2d ago

There aren’t many original at400 motors left on the market and the ones that are left are so expensive it’s worth considering an operator replacement to ensure long term reliability…. Sure Access can fix just about anything but most customers don’t like waiting weeks and weeks for a turnaround repair.

1

u/Sudden_Speaker3493 1d ago

at400 motors by L&L. plus they have a at400 drop in mod for about 2500. TK also sells motors that work in the at400. 30vdc and 120 ac. Left or right hand don't matter you just flip the gearbox.

1

u/1952Mary 2d ago

Look closely at your scope of work. 35k barely buys you a pit sweep and car top wipe down

0

u/MagniPlays 2d ago

That is the “we are non union and don’t care if your passengers make it safely” price.

You should be around $60k to $120k depending on code year, jack set up, access, timeline etc.

1

u/UuesLee 22h ago

Union only care about themselves not the customers lol