Elevator interior upgrades seem simple until they’re not. From timeline delays to material failures, what starts as a cosmetic refresh can quickly snowball into a disruptive, over-budget project. The root cause? A lack of planning, the wrong partners, or treating elevator renovations like any other interior update.
At Elevator Refresh, we’ve supported hundreds of projects across North America and know what separates a smooth, fast renovation from one that frustrates guests, tenants, and facility teams.
If you’re planning an elevator upgrade, here are the hidden pitfalls to avoid and how to stay ahead of them.
Mistake #1: Treating It Like a Standard Elevator Renovation
Elevator cabs aren’t just small rooms. They’re regulated, high-traffic spaces that must meet strict code for fire, accessibility, and materials. Standard design materials often fail these tests and fail in performance, too.
What to do instead:
Choose fire-rated, durable materials engineered for vertical transportation. Architectural film is a smart alternative: it’s Class A fire-rated, thermoformable, and resists scratches and cleaning chemicals.
Mistake #2: Not Accounting for Downtime Impact
Shutting down an elevator, even for 2–3 days, can disrupt entire buildings, especially in hotels, multifamily, or healthcare settings. Yet many contractors treat shutdowns as inevitable.
What to do instead:
Refinishing solutions like architectural film can be installed in a single day, and other upgrades (like ceilings or lighting) can be done off-hours. We help you sequence the work to minimize or eliminate downtime.
Mistake #3: Skipping the Pre-Assessment Phase
Without an in-person walkthrough or condition-based assessment, it’s impossible to scope the right solution. This leads to change orders, timeline extensions, and added costs mid-project.
What to do instead:
Start with a site visit from a renovation specialist who understands elevator systems. We assess not just the visuals, but substrate integrity, usage patterns, and code considerations before making any recommendations.
Mistake #4: Misaligned Vendor Coordination
Elevator work involves multiple teams: building engineers, elevator service contractors, designers, and material suppliers. When they’re not coordinated, delays and cost overruns are inevitable.
What to do instead:
Work with a renovation partner (like Elevator Refresh) that acts as the hub, coordinating finishes, upgrades, and vendor schedules to ensure everyone’s aligned before installation starts.
Mistake #5: Defaulting to Replacement Instead of Refinishing
Full demolition isn’t always necessary. If your elevator cab structure is sound, replacement is often overkill, leading to unnecessary costs, permits, and longer shutdowns.
What to do instead:
Explore refinishing with fire-rated architectural film, ceiling overlays, and flooring swaps. You can achieve a full aesthetic transformation with no demo, no dust, and no permit delays.
Renovating your elevator doesn’t have to mean disruption. With the right plan and the right partners, you can transform the space without downtime, demolition, or drama.
Contact us to learn how Elevator Refresh can support your team and collaborate with your vendors for a seamless upgrade.