The answer to what should be included in a lift maintenance agreement is actually quite simple, hopefully the following article demystifies the smoke and mirrors of lift maintenance contracts.
- The number of on-site lift maintenance visits per year should be clearly stated.
If possible, determine the typical time the lift mechanic is on site for each visit. A mechanic should take about 45 minutes for checking, lubricating, adjusting and cleaning. Ensure you do not get 15 minute tick-a-box visits or “remote” checking via internet connection. There is no substitute for time on site by technicians! The number of service visits your lift requires per year will vary depending on lift type, age and application so ask why your lift needs a certain number of visits. Service intervals are typically every 5,000 to 5,500 trips. Each maintenance visit must be documented and provided to the customer promptly and any repairs or issues noted for action.
- The annual safety check is a Worksafe requirement and required by insurers.
A safety check takes time to perform, typically an hour on low rise lifts, as it checks that a range of safety features are functioning. What is checked depends on lift type. Annual testing of the safety equipment that prevents catastrophic lift failure is a requirement, not a nice thing to have. The checks engage the safety gear on the rails of the lift, tests some of the following depending on lift type: slack rope switches and rupture valves, motor brakes and other items. The test report should be provided to the lift owner from the lift maintenance company in writing each year.
- Call out costs to out of order lifts or passenger entrapments should be clearly explained in agreements as to what is included and excluded.
This issue can be a source of major contention when a customer receives a significant invoice for an after-hours call out, possibly in the thousands... If a lift is good quality, not old and well maintained there should not be more than a couple of call outs a year and very few entrapments.
- Comprehensive agreements need to be carefully considered as they are not what they use to be!
A low-rise fully comprehensive agreement 20 years ago was $5,500 per year but is still the same price now. Obviously, not much is actually covered in today’s comprehensive agreements. Most customers find that they pay for just as many repairs and call outs, just like they would on a very basic and much cheaper agreement.
The above is a very short summary as to how to assess a maintenance contract but I trust it has been helpful. If you are unsure about making a commitment to a maintenance contract, some companies offer agreements with no term requirements so customers can exit at any time. This is a good way to determine if a company is honest, reliable and helpful.
Published: June 4, 2026
