In new construction, the preconstruction (precon) meeting for elevator installs is your single best opportunity to prevent Requests for Information (RFIs), eliminate costly change orders, and secure a smooth path from design to final inspection. Developers, GCs, architects, and property managers rely on a well-structured precon agenda to answer the most critical questions before the first piece of rebar is bent or a wall is framed. At Kaiser Elevator, our team has seen firsthand how a focused precon session can save months of delays and tens of thousands in rework, especially on complex projects in New York City and beyond.
This guide provides a definitive, question-driven agenda tailored specifically for new elevator installations. It draws from our field-tested experience consulting on everything from commercial high-rises to hospitals, parking structures, and mixed-use buildings, ensuring you address coordination issues that are too often missed until it’s too late.
Definition: What Is a Precon Meeting for Elevator Installs?
A preconstruction meeting (or precon) for elevator installs is a project milestone—usually set 8–12 weeks before elevator framing—where the elevator contractor, GC, electrical/mechanical subcontractors, and design team review every element impacting hoistway construction, rough-ins, finishes, code compliance, and scheduling. The core goal is to lock down project-specific details, assign clear responsibilities for open items, and document decisions that prevent back-and-forth RFIs during construction.
Framework: Elevators Precon Agenda That Prevents RFIs
At Kaiser Elevator, we recommend structuring the meeting around these key agenda items:
- Hoistway and structural coordination
- Cabin, door, and finish selections
- Electrical/mechanical rough-ins and integration
- Performance specifications (capacity, speed, features)
- Compliance, safety, inspection, and training
- Schedule, logistics, and risk mitigation
Each of these points maps to the major sources of schedule risk and rework observed in elevator installation projects around the country.
Step-by-Step: The 12 Essential Precon Questions For Elevator Installs
Below, we’ve detailed the most effective questions that every project team should answer and document during the meeting. The agenda works for both passenger and freight elevators, as well as custom layouts and car stacker systems from Kaiser Elevator.
1. Are hoistway dimensions confirmed and coordinated?
- Exact width, depth, pit depth, and overhead clearance (per shop drawings)?
- Is the hoistway plumb and square to spec?
- Is a machine room or machine-room-less configuration required?
2. Have all door types, swings, and fire ratings been approved?
- Specify center-opening, side-opening, or other door types.
- Fire-rated construction and compliance requirements reviewed?
- Door size and sill/threshold details finalized?
3. What are the chosen cabin finishes and control interfaces?
- Stainless steel and PVC for ceilings? LED lighting? Glass panels for panoramic or villa models?
- Control panel style—push-button or touchscreen?
- Handrail type and finish, ADA compliance, and other interior design elements approved?
4. Have all dedicated electrical and mechanical rough-ins been assigned and mapped?
- Panel capacity, voltage, circuit locations (208/480V, phase, amperage as needed)?
- Routing for HVAC, fire alarm, intercom, or communication lines?
- Backup power (generator/UPS) and battery lowering included if required?
5. Are load, speed, stopping accuracy, and special features specified?
- Cabin size, weight capacity (e.g., 2000–5000 lbs), and rated speed?
- Destination dispatch needs or standard controls?
- Special accommodations (hospital stretchers, service carts, car stacker interface)?
6. Are all compliance points and inspection milestones on the schedule?
- ASME A17.1, ADA, fire alarms, interlocks, and local building code requirements?
- Who coordinates permits, site inspections, and final signoff?
- Staff training scheduled with Kaiser Elevator for proper operation and emergency procedures?
7. Are elevator safety features and rider protections set?
- Emergency stop buttons, 24/7 communication (phone/intercom), and battery lowering?
- Backup power protocols in compliance with American standards?
8. Has the manufacturing and delivery schedule been confirmed?
- Approval timelines for shop drawings?
- Coordination of custom selections (stainless, marble, glass finishes add 2–4 weeks)?
9. Are site logistics (crane access, storage, protection of finishes) coordinated?
- Number of installers needed, window for offloading materials, and path protection?
- Site photos, key dates, and on-site contacts documented?
10. Are all change order and RFI procedures outlined?
- Primary contacts and protocols for unanticipated questions or conditions?
- Written confirmatory communications post-meeting?
11. Who owns documentation, labeling, and post-installation reporting?
- Field measures, pre/post install photos, and service documentation handled by Kaiser Elevator?
12. Has the long-term maintenance and support process been established?
- Monthly or quarterly maintenance contracts?
- 24/7 hotline and 1-hour service response details shared with building staff?
Best Practices: Making Your Elevator Precon Meeting Effective
- Prepare a written agenda and circulate it at least one week in advance.
- Bring shop drawings, electrical and mechanical rough-in plans, and finish samples.
- Assign a project manager or lead from Kaiser Elevator to lead the technical review—our team specializes in coordination, code compliance, and field troubleshooting.
- Capture action items with due dates, and issue a summary to all attendees within 48 hours.
- Schedule a follow-up site visit before rough-in to verify hoistway and rough-in progress before sheetrock.
- Use photographs as documentation to head off future RFIs about dimensions, alignment, or finish conditions.
- Clarify who obtains all necessary permits for elevator work and who schedules key inspections (framing, rough-in, acceptance testing).
- Integrate precon outcomes into the full project schedule to head off trade stacking and access bottlenecks.
Common RFI Triggers—and How the Precon Agenda Stops Them
| RFI Trigger | Precon Solution |
|---|---|
| Incorrect shaft, pit, or overhead dimensions | Verify dimensions against shop drawings before framing |
| Missing or incorrectly placed power/conduit | Review rough-in plans, confirm on-site locations and amperages |
| Finish or fixture selection delays | Approve all finishes and fixtures in writing during precon |
| Compliance gaps (fire rating, ADA) | Cover all applicable code and standards in checklist format |
| Site logistics conflicts (crane access, material lifts) | Schedule delivery and installation windows with property/facilities teams |
Timeline: Where Elevator Precon Fits in Your Project
At Kaiser Elevator, standard timelines usually follow:
- Schematic design (weeks 1–4): Hold precon with shop drawing review
- Framing (weeks 5–8): Build hoistway, pit, and overhead clearance as confirmed
- Mechanical rough-ins (weeks 9–12): Complete power, comms, fire alarm, etc.
- Post-drywall (weeks 13–16): Install rails, cab, controller, and do pre-inspection checks
- Final finishes and inspections (weeks 17–20): Complete all trims, thresholds, and full-code testing
In our experience, securing your precon 8–12 weeks prior to elevator framing and leveraging our expertise in value engineering can save your project both money and time—up to 4–6 weeks on average for high-rise and mixed-use work.
Real-World Success: Value of Early Coordination
For instance, on a 25-story NYC mixed-use tower, our precon meeting allowed the team to identify and resolve a pit depth issue before concrete was poured, saving tens of thousands of dollars and weeks of schedule risk. In that project, aligning on panoramic elevator finishes and incorporating LED ceiling options unlocked faster factory lead times and ensured that the elevators opened before tenant fit-outs—a result made possible by the diligence of the precon process.
Related Reading
- New Elevator Installation Timeline for GCs: A Week by Week Look at Traction and Hydraulic Builds
- Hoistway, Pit, and Overhead Coordination: A Field-Proven RFI-Prevention Checklist for New Elevators
- Elevator Scope Gap Checklist for New Construction: What to Assign Before You Buy the Package
- MEP Coordination for Elevator Installs: Power, Heat Loads, Venting, and Fire Alarm Interfaces (What GCs Miss)
- Fire Service (Phase I & II) on New Elevator Installs: What to Specify and How to Avoid Re-Inspection
- New Elevator Acceptance Testing: The Paperwork and Field Tests That Decide Your Certificate of Operation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main purpose of a precon meeting for elevators?
The precon meeting is meant to coordinate all aspects of elevator install in advance—especially hoistway specs, rough-in requirements, finishes, power connections, code compliance, and scheduling. The number one goal is to eliminate RFIs, rework, and costly schedule delays that result from last-minute changes or unclear responsibilities.
When should the elevator precon meeting be scheduled?
We recommend scheduling the precon 8–12 weeks before the start of elevator hoistway framing. This gives all trades time to incorporate specs, order custom components, and clarify open issues without impacting the critical path.
Who attends the precon meeting?
Key attendees typically include representatives from the elevator contractor (like Kaiser Elevator), general contractor, architects, engineers, electrical and mechanical subs, property owner, and facilities management, if applicable.
What documentation should be prepared and circulated after precon?
Minutes summarizing all critical decisions, open items, assignments, and deadlines. Attach shop drawings, field measurements, and updated schedules. This package is the single source of truth for install and prevents confusion among all parties.
What are the most common causes of elevator RFIs?
Most RFIs arise from unresolved shaft dimensions, unclear power requirements, missing or late finish selections, inadequate code review, or logistical bottlenecks (like crane access or delivery timing). The precon agenda in this guide addresses each of these up front to help avoid them.
How does Kaiser Elevator support post-installation?
We provide 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive maintenance contracts, code-compliant inspections, and hands-on training for building staff. Our value-engineered solutions are designed to minimize lifecycle cost and maximize rider experience; see our full service overview here.
Conclusion
A successful elevator installation—whether for commercial, residential, hospitality, or parking projects—starts long before the first wall goes up. The right precon meeting agenda empowers your team to lock in specifications, coordinate trades, and get ahead of every major RFI risk. Leveraging the expertise, code knowledge, and proactive approach of Kaiser Elevator is the most reliable way to streamline your project, control costs, and deliver a vertical transportation experience that elevates both performance and aesthetics. Ready to put your next project on rails for success? Contact our team here to book your precon consultation or request a quote.
