Installing a new elevator is a big deal for any commercial property. It’s more than opening up a shaft and setting equipment into place. It changes how people move through the building and affects daily routines for months after the work is done. Taking the time to prepare the building ahead of installation can make a big difference. Miss a step and you might face costly delays or safety concerns down the road.
If this is the first time your building’s getting an elevator or you’re replacing an outdated one, you probably have a few questions. Do you need a new power system? Is the elevator pit already the right depth? Who do you call to check the structure? These concerns are pretty common. When you’re responsible for a commercial space, every detail matters for the people who use it every day. Planning out the process from the start helps you avoid plenty of headaches later.
Assessing Building Needs
Every building has its own needs, so deciding on what type of elevator to install depends on how the space works and who uses it. A business complex with multiple floors and heavy foot traffic every hour might benefit from traction elevators, which generally handle more weight and travel faster. On the other hand, smaller, low-rise buildings could be better suited for hydraulic elevators, which are easier to maintain and typically quieter.
Start by asking yourself a few key questions:
1. How many floors does the elevator need to serve?
2. Is the building primarily for office tenants, visitors, or both?
3. What’s the average amount of people using the elevator each day?
4. Do you need the elevator to carry large items or just passengers?
You should also think about what features make sense for the people in the building. For example, if the building has lobbies on each floor, traction elevators might offer an edge since they’re smoother and quicker across multiple stops. After you figure out the general usage, talk to an elevator contractor or consultant who can evaluate other factors, like speed, noise levels, space design, control systems, and safety features.
Getting informed early keeps you from making costly revisions later. Skipping this step or guessing your way through it can lead to poor elevator performance or worse, the elevator not meeting your occupancy needs.
Structural Preparations
Once you understand what kind of elevator fits your property, the next thing to do is look closely at your building’s structure. Existing buildings aren’t always ready for installation without some changes. You’ll need a full check of the current hoistway or elevator shaft, pit dimensions, overhead space, and nearby beams. One common mistake is assuming the shaft is the right size when in fact, it may be too narrow or too shallow to fit modern elevator systems.
Even buildings with some original design for an elevator may still need work. For example, the load-bearing walls might have to be reinforced or adjusted, especially when adding or replacing a traction elevator and its overhead equipment. In other cases, floor slabs may need cutting or adjustment to support the elevator doors and frames.
To stay on track with the schedule, get your architect, engineer, and installer on the same page early. A few smart moves here include:
1. Scheduling a full structural survey before installation begins
2. Getting accurate measurements of the pit, shaft, and headroom
3. Planning access routes for installation equipment and parts
4. Checking the shaft area for insulation, plumbing, or wiring that may need to be moved
You also must look at building code updates that may not have applied when the space was first built. Codes change often, and what passed inspection ten years ago may not work today. If your elevator is being added to improve accessibility, certain layouts and measurements will need adjustment to meet those requirements.
Prioritizing structural checks right after selecting the elevator type gives you time to plan any upgrades or removals. It sets a clear course for the rest of the installation and cuts out surprises right before things get moving.
Electrical And Mechanical Readiness
Once the building’s structure is squared away, the next piece to check is your electrical and mechanical setup. An elevator system isn’t just bolted to the floor. It depends on reliable power and a lot of behind-the-scenes support. And the needs for something like a traction elevator can be pretty different from past equipment, especially if your building is older.
Let’s start with electricity. Many commercial elevators need their own dedicated feed. That means your current electrical panel might not have enough capacity to handle the load. An electrician should look over your service panel and determine if upgrades or rewiring are needed. Some elevators also need special voltage requirements, so getting this sorted early keeps the project moving on time. It’s also worth looking into backup power, especially in buildings where the elevator will be the main form of access to upper floors. Adding a generator or battery backup might be part of the plan if you want the elevator to keep running during an outage.
Then there’s the mechanical side. New control panels, drive machines, safety switches, and other components must be installed and placed correctly. In new shafts, there’s the challenge of getting everything anchored while leaving enough space for service access. If you’re swapping out an older elevator, the existing machine room might need updates to fit newer systems.
Keys to being prepared include:
1. Checking power capacity and panel size for the elevator system
2. Getting a licensed electrician to review your current electrical layout
3. Planning machine room layouts during the early design stages
4. Looking at ventilation or HVAC needs for enclosed machine areas
5. Asking about emergency systems like alarms, phones, or backup drives
These checks can feel like a lot at once, but skipping any of them can drag the install out longer than expected. Having your building mechanically and electrically ready means your installer doesn’t have to stop in the middle of the project to deal with avoidable delays.
Coordinating Installation And Minimizing Disruption
When the elevator is finalized and prep work’s done, it all comes down to good coordination. A poorly timed schedule can frustrate everyone in the building and slow down other maintenance or construction work happening around it. That creates roadblocks where there shouldn’t be any.
Start by building an installation timeline. Decide on a start date and talk through each milestone, from equipment delivery to testing and sign-offs. If there are other projects going on, get those teams involved in planning too. You don’t want scaffolding from one project blocking elevator access or low power availability while concrete is being poured elsewhere.
Keep everyone informed. It seems simple, but steady communication goes a long way. Whether the building is for office space, hospitality, or public use, people appreciate knowing what’s coming and when. Post the schedule in shared areas. Email updates every week if the elevator is going to impact daily flow. Even a heads-up about increased noise or partial cordoning of hallways keeps folks feeling more patient and prepared.
For minimal impact during installation:
1. Avoid scheduling work at peak business hours or high-traffic days
2. Set up alternate paths or signage if any floors will be roped off
3. Use noise barriers or dust control systems for installations near active spaces
4. Build in buffer time in case of rain, delayed material shipments, or permit reviews
One project was delayed two weeks because no one cleared the stairwell landing where crane equipment needed to be set up. A little extra planning and having someone on-site to coordinate could have kept things moving.
The smoother the process, the faster tenants or employees can start using the new elevator without added stress.
From Planning to First Ride
Installing a new elevator isn’t something you can rush through. Every step builds on the last, which is why detailed planning makes such a difference. From matching the right type of elevator to your building to checking the fit of the shaft, power availability, and install timing, each phase shapes how well the elevator performs once it’s up and running.
An installation might take weeks or months depending on its size, but the actual experience of having an elevator that runs well, feels safe, and doesn’t disrupt the building long-term is worth the effort. It’s better to break the job into clear, manageable parts than scramble to fix things mid-install.
Paying attention to what’s needed upfront takes stress off the rest of the process. And when the first time someone presses that elevator button, it works exactly how it’s supposed to—that’s when you’ll know all the prep paid off.
Ensuring a smooth and efficient elevator installation takes careful planning and the right support. At Kaiser Elevators, we’re here to help make that process easier for you from start to finish. Whether you’re upgrading your current setup or planning for a new build, we’ll help you integrate a system that works smoothly with your space. Contact us today to get started with a solution that fits your needs.
