New construction in New York—whether it’s a luxury residential tower, a commercial office retrofit, or a mixed-use flagship—almost always comes with tight timelines, demanding codes, and absolutely no margin for error during elevator installation. At Kaiser Elevator, our experience shows the primary threat to project budgets and delivery isn’t usually materials or hardware: it’s confusion in the handoff between design and execution. Countless projects spiral out of control due to mounting RFIs (Requests for Information) and surprise change orders, turning elevators into a source of risk rather than value creation. Our solution is rooted in one simple idea: bring engineering and construction expertise into the earliest stages of design, so that you start—and stay—on the right track.
What is the Elevator Design-Assist Approach?
Traditional elevator contracting often leaves critical decisions to the final bid package. The result? Key questions about dimensions, MEP (mechanical-electrical-plumbing) coordination, shaft sizing, and code alignment only surface after documents are issued, creating a chain reaction of RFIs and costly on-site changes. With a design-assist strategy, we flip the process:
- We involve our engineers directly with your architects, consultants, and general contractors during schematic and design development phases—not just at buyout.
- From day one, our code consultants and technical staff validate compliance with New York City Building Code, the latest ADA standards, and project-specific requirements.
- We conduct holistic reviews for shaft size, pit depth, power supply, fire rating, and accessibility, producing spec-ready packages that minimize ambiguity.
Why Do RFIs and Change Orders Plague Elevator Projects in NYC?
Let’s be candid. New York City’s vertical construction market can be a maze. The pace is frenetic, coordination windows are tiny, and specialty systems like elevators often get forced into field-fit solutions. The most common pain points include:
- Ambiguous shaft details—depth, width, header clearance, and pit size mismatches are discovered when equipment arrives, not during design review.
- Last-minute MEP conflicts—elevator hoistways are segmented by unexpected piping, conduits, or structural members.
- Code compliance traps—elevator shop drawings must be reworked to catch up with updates from DOB, ADA, or fire safety authorities.
- Uncoordinated finishes or fixtures—the elevator’s interior aesthetic or controls diverge from intended architectural themes, requiring costly changes late in the project.
Each of these triggers a flurry of RFIs, stalling the schedule and exposing building owners to additional fees, reset permitting, or rework at the worst possible moment.
How Design-Assist Methodology Reduces RFIs and Change Orders
We’ve seen firsthand that proactivity pays. Here’s how our design-assist model defuses common friction points:
1. Early Technical Workshops and Plan Vetting
- Our team reviews everything from egress routes and passenger flow to emergency systems and structural loads—well before construction drawings are locked.
- We identify inconsistencies or unforeseen limitations (such as fire-rated wall interruptions or conflicting mechanical systems) in 2D/3D plan reviews.
- This advance analysis supports permit requirements and paves the way for an expedited DOB review process.
2. Multi-Disciplinary Coordination
- We don’t just look at the elevator in isolation. Kaiser conducts active coordination with MEP, structural, and fire-protection consultants—bridging the gap between trades.
- Clash detection and digital modeling allow us to spot and address obstacles in shaft space, machine rooms, or critical service pathways before fabrication starts.
- The result? Fewer RFIs during the submittals process and vastly reduced site rework.
3. Spec-Ready Documentation: Nothing Left to Guesswork
- We produce complete elevator shop drawings, including all cabin, finish, and control panel options, annotated with load, clearance, and utility details.
- Packages include life-safety measures, ADA pathways and controls, backup power integration, and manufacturer data matching DOB requirements.
- Because our process covers every touchpoint in advance, there’s minimal risk for field surprises—and GCs can order, schedule, and inspect with confidence.
What Do Kaiser Clients Experience in Practice?
Taking a page from our own project book, teams working with us regularly see the following improvements:
- Substantial drop in RFIs tied to elevator scope, since we clarify and coordinate all variables before submittals.
- Change orders (especially those related to pit depth, power, or code conformance) are dramatically reduced—accelerating the critical path for elevators and helping the whole build progress.
- Schedules move faster and finishing trades can plan reliably without worrying about late-moving elevator milestones.
- Owners and facility managers gain from deeper warranties, better site training, and more seamless transitions to day-one operations.
This is particularly relevant for high-rise residential, hospitality, and healthcare projects, where uptime and inspection signoffs directly impact revenue and operational start dates. We ensure everything is in place for smooth permitting, inspection, and turnover.
Elements of an Effective Design-Assist Workflow
- Design Analysis: Early review of all architectural plans, drawings, and stakeholder objectives to spot performance and compliance risks before they snowball.
- Code and Safety Integration: Our engineers actively confirm every aspect meets (and often exceeds) NYC’s demanding elevator and accessibility standards.
- Options Engineering: Need premium finishes for passenger cabs or ultra-durable interiors for hospital/service settings? We tailor and detail those selections into the bid package so clients aren’t forced to compromise or renegotiate.
- Detailed Submittal Packages: GC’s and owners receive well-documented deliverables, eliminating interpretation errors for crew and inspectors alike.
- Installation Planning: We deliver a clear, sequence-driven installation schedule that incorporates DOB checkpoints and site constraints, reducing on-site confusion.
Frequently Overlooked Design-Assist Opportunities
It’s not just about avoiding problems. Done right, elevator design-assist also delivers additional upside value for developers and owners, including:
- Future modernization readiness—Conduits, data wiring, and software interfaces are specified to allow future touchless controls, IoT, or energy-efficient upgrades. For deeper insights, our team has written on how regenerative drives lower elevator operating costs.
- Aesthetic cohesion—Early design meetings ensure elevator interiors, handrails, and controls match each property’s distinctive look, whether classic luxury or sleek urban minimalism.
- Comprehensive training and support—Our workflow concludes with staff training programs and documentation so property managers and building engineers are ready to maintain their vertical systems from opening day forward.
Connecting Design-Assist to Lifecycle Value
Investing up-front in this kind of collaboration may seem like extra effort, but the payoff is measurable. By shaving weeks off schedules and eliminating expensive late-phase RFIs, developers consistently realize substantial direct cost savings. Even more important in the New York market, our proactive approach reduces risk of liquidated damages, code compliance delays, and reputation damage from post-opening deficiencies. Our process empowers architects, owners, and general contractors alike to focus on creating compelling properties rather than fighting fires at the last minute.
Seamless Transition from Design to Maintenance
Beyond installation, we ensure site staff are fully trained and supported for long-term operation. We provide documentation, a 24/7 response hotline—see our emergency support details here—and proactive maintenance agreements. Read more about best strategies for maximizing elevator uptime throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Ready for Reliable Elevator Installation in NYC?
The cost of lost time, missed inspections, and last-minute change orders in New York construction is simply too high to leave elevator installation to chance. If you’re seeking a stress-free project with zero guesswork and minimal field surprises, let’s start with an early design-assist conversation. Connect with us online via our contact page or call +1 (888) 274 6025. You’ll experience how holistic, code-compliant, and value-engineered elevator packages add real certainty to the critical path of your next New York development.
