02 FAQ

Questions About Our Tools

Common questions about how our free tools work and how to get the most accurate results.

How accurate are the maintenance cost estimates?

The Maintenance Cost Estimator provides baseline market ranges based on elevator type, building size, and geographic region. Actual quotes vary based on equipment age, service history, and local labor rates. Use our estimates as a negotiation benchmark - if you're quoted significantly above the range, ask for an itemized breakdown.

What if my state is not listed in the Compliance Tracker?

We currently cover all 50 states plus DC, each with detailed inspection schedules, certification requirements, and agency contacts. If you're seeing outdated information for your state, use the feedback form at the bottom of the tool page. We update compliance data quarterly based on state regulatory changes.

How is the contract risk score calculated?

The Contract Red Flags Analyzer evaluates 15 contract provisions that most commonly cost property managers money: auto-renewal terms, cancellation windows, parts exclusions, response time guarantees, and price escalation clauses. Each flagged item contributes to your risk score. A score above 60 indicates contract terms that strongly favor the vendor.

Do I need to create an account to use these tools?

No. All tools are free and require no login, no email, and no account creation. Your inputs are processed in your browser and are not stored on our servers. If you want to save results, use your browser's print function or screenshot the output.

Can I use these tools for residential elevators?

Most of our tools are designed for commercial, residential multi-family, and mixed-use buildings with one or more passenger or freight elevators. Single-family residential elevators (home lifts) have different inspection schedules and cost structures. The Compliance Tracker includes residential notes where state regulations differ.

How often is the elevator compliance data updated?

We review state regulatory changes quarterly and update the Compliance Tracker within 30 days of any major code adoption. Last full review: March 2026. If your state recently adopted new regulations, check back or use the feedback form to flag missing updates.