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Elevator Insight 2025 Case Study Successes - White Paper
Executive Summary with Client Case Studies
In 2025, Elevator Insight delivered documented, hard-dollar savings for institutional owners, asset managers, and portfolio operators across the United States. This executive summary (White Paper) highlights named client engagements and the measurable financial impact achieved through independent elevator oversight, disciplined scope control, and cost transparency.
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCC)
- $36,000 Annual Operating Savings (Maintenance)
- Total Savings: $142,000 Capital Project (Escalators)
“As we prepare our vertical transportation systems for the 2028 Olympics, Elevator Insight has already delivered significant value, saving us $142,000 during the first phase of a multi-million-dollar escalator upgrade. Their expertise in stretching every capital dollar delivers real, measurable savings to our bottom line.”
Elevator Insight helped LBCC transition away from legacy service arrangements with major elevator companies that provided only three service visits per year at premium pricing. Today, LBCC operates under an independent service provider model with monthly service visits, direct communication with technicians, and billable extras reduced to nearly zero. Operating costs are down $3k per month.
With respect to capital expenditures, Elevator Insight identified excessive scope and pricing margins during the first phase of an extensive escalator upgrade, delivering $142,000 in verified hard-dollar savings.
LBCC also enrolled in Elevator Insight's SAFEGUARD, a portfolio risk containment program designed to stabilize elevator operating expenses and prevent unexpected cost spikes.
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) - Kansas City
- Total Savings: $95,000 (Destination Dispatch Kiosk Replacement)
JLL retained Elevator Insight to review competing proposals to replace 39 obsolete ThyssenKrupp (TKE) Destination Dispatch kiosks at a Kansas City Class A property. Initial proposals from KONE, the current service provider, and TKE approached - and in some cases exceeded - $500,000.
Elevator Insight identified that KONE's proposal required a costly overlay system to interface with the existing TKE controller, significantly inflating the price. As the original OEM, TKE could provide compatible software and kiosks without this additional complexity.
Through a detailed analysis of labor and material costs, Elevator Insight reduced the final project cost to under $400,000, delivering $95,000 in savings. Elevator Insight also recommended terminating the KONE maintenance contract after identifying unfavorable contract terms and TKE OEM advantages.
JLL subsequently retained Elevator Insight to oversee the new 12-week project to help minimize change orders and schedule delays.
Perform Properties (Formerly Equity Office) - LA Commercial Office Portfolio Asset
- Deferred Capital Spend: $2.2 Million
At a 27-elevator Class A commercial office property with proprietary Fujitec equipment, ownership received proposals totaling $40,000 for door upgrades and $1.8 million for machine replacements, which were deemed obsolete.
Conducting a comprehensive site audit, Elevator Insight reviewed historical maintenance data across all units and determined that the failure history did not justify the proposed $40k door upgrades. Furthermore, Elevator Insight recommended deferring the machine replacements, sourcing repair/fabrication procurement in 2026, and completing one targeted machine replacement at a time after breakdowns are justified, using salvaged parts for future support. Continued analysis is scheduled for Q1 2026.
This asset also enrolled in the SAFEGUARD portfolio risk containment program designed to stabilize elevator operating expenses and prevent unexpected cost spikes.
RD Olson / RD Olson Development - Orange County / Northern CA
- Identified Savings: $33,000 (Obsolete Kiosk Replacements)
- Projected Additional Savings: Up to $100,000 (2026 Modernization)
RD Olson engaged Elevator Insight to bring clarity and cost control to recurring elevator upgrade and obsolescence proposals given to local GMs across its hotel portfolio.
Through on-site audits at each property, Elevator Insight delivered written findings and developed a 2026 capital roadmap for ownership and management. Direct engagement with elevator service providers reduced downtime, eliminated unnecessary upgrades, and curtailed excessive billable extras.
Obsolete kiosk replacement proposal is currently being revised from $70k to $37k. The modernization bid review was $100k higher than market rate and has been rejected.
RD Olson enrolled all of its locations in Elevator Insight's SAFEGUARD portfolio risk containment program designed to stabilize elevator operating expenses and prevent unexpected cost spikes.
Voit Commercial - CA
- Total Savings: $80,000 (Transaction Due Diligence)
- $45,000 (Retrofit vs. Traditional Modernization)
Voit Commercial retains Elevator Insight to provide elevator due diligence services for their buyers and sellers across California.
At a Signal Hill, CA, property, Elevator Insight identified a failing 1986 Delta hydraulic elevator requiring modernization. Elevator Insight advised the buyer during escrow, resulting in an $80,000 reduction in the purchase price to offset the future Delta retrofit cost, delivering immediate transaction savings. Implementing a Delta retrofit package rather than a transitional modernization saved an additional $45,000.
Kelemen Company - Irvine, CA
- Total Savings: $60,000 (Machine Replacement Proposal Review)
Kelemen Company engaged Elevator Insight to provide an independent review of elevator proposals submitted for ownership approval.
While Elevator Insight validated the hydraulic modernization proposal as competitively priced, a separate machine replacement proposal revealed inflated costs driven by excessive labor. Elevator Insight secured revised pricing, reducing the project cost by $60,000.
Further analysis revealed that the elevator company overstated the original labor estimates due to their installer's limited experience.
Conclusion: Proven Results. Real Clients. Measurable Impact.
These 2025 case studies demonstrate Elevator Insight’s ability to deliver immediate, measurable, large-scale savings quickly by challenging unnecessary work, correcting inflated pricing, and enforcing disciplined scope control.
Clients typically achieve cost savings of 5-9 times Elevator Insight’s fee. Once elevator providers recognize Elevator Insight’s involvement, pricing tightens and unnecessary costs disappear.
Make the change in 2026. Protect and lower your elevator spend with Elevator Insight.
(References upon request.)
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