Why elevator maintenance bids are difficult to compare
Two elevator maintenance proposals can look similar on the first page and still provide materially different coverage. Exclusions, overtime language, testing responsibilities, callbacks, component coverage, cancellation provisions, and escalation clauses can change the true cost of an agreement.
Typical VDDG RFP scope
- Review the existing maintenance agreement and current service situation
- Develop a property-specific maintenance specification
- Identify and solicit qualified elevator contractors
- Coordinate bidder questions and site access
- Normalize proposals for apples-to-apples comparison
- Review coverage, exclusions, pricing, and commercial terms
- Provide an independent recommendation
- Support negotiation and final contract review
Independent owner representation
VDDG's role is to help the owner understand what is being purchased and where the meaningful differences exist between competing proposals. The objective is not simply to identify the lowest number; it is to help ownership select a maintenance structure that fits the equipment, property, and service expectations.