Who Should I Contact and How Often Should Elevators Be Inspected?

By the Axxiom Elevator Florida Team — Updated July 2026

After 15+ years in the elevator industry — servicing residential lifts, commercial hydraulics, and high-rise traction systems across South and West Florida — the two questions I hear most from building owners and property managers are simple but critically important: Who do I call? and How often do I need to do this? This guide answers both in full, along with every related question a responsible building owner should understand before their next inspection date.

How Often Should Elevators Be Inspected According to Florida Law?

Florida law requires elevators to undergo a full safety inspection at least once every 12 months, with a separate periodic inspection cycle that may require more frequent checks depending on elevator type and installation year.

Under Florida Statute 399, all elevators, escalators, and related conveyances must be inspected annually by a licensed elevator inspector. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) administers this requirement statewide, including in Pompano Beach and Sarasota. Failing to comply can result in operating permits being suspended and substantial fines.

Beyond annual statutory inspections, the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (2022 edition, adopted by reference in Florida’s 2026 enforcement cycle) categorizes inspections and tests into different cycles:

• Category 1: Annual — applies to all elevator types and covers basic safety device testing.
• Category 3: Every 3 years — applies to hydraulic elevator pressure and relief valve testing.
• Category 5: Every 5 years — applies to full-load safety tests on traction elevators, including governor and safeties.

Your elevator type, drive system, and original installation date determine which categories apply. A licensed elevator contractor can review your equipment records and map out the full inspection schedule required for your specific units.

In addition to statutory inspections, routine maintenance visits — typically every one to three months depending on usage volume and elevator type — are strongly recommended to catch mechanical issues before they trigger a failed inspection or an unplanned shutdown.

Who Should I Contact to Schedule an Elevator Inspection?

Contact a Florida-licensed elevator inspection company or the DBPR Elevator Safety Program directly. Most building owners find it faster and more cost-effective to work through a certified elevator service contractor like Axxiom Elevator Florida who handles both maintenance and inspection coordination under a single service agreement.

In Florida, elevator inspections must be performed by inspectors who hold a valid state license issued by the DBPR. You have two primary contact paths:

• Your elevator service contractor: Most certified elevator companies employ or partner with licensed inspectors and will coordinate inspection scheduling, paperwork submission, and certificate posting as part of a service agreement.
• The DBPR directly: You can request a state inspection through the DBPR Elevator Safety Program. Note that scheduling timelines through the state office may be longer than using a private licensed inspector, particularly during high-demand periods.

For building owners in Pompano Beach or Sarasota, the fastest path is working with a local certified contractor. Axxiom Elevator Florida coordinates DBPR-compliant inspections, maintains your equipment records, and ensures your operating certificate remains posted and current — removing the administrative burden from your property management team.

What Does an Elevator Inspection Cost in Florida?

Elevator inspection costs in Florida vary based on elevator type, geographic location, and whether the inspection is performed by a private licensed inspector through a service contractor or by a state DBPR inspector. While prices change and vary between vendors, the following general ranges reflect typical market conditions in South and West Florida as of mid-2026:

• Annual Category 1 inspection: Typically bundled into a maintenance service agreement or quoted separately per unit. Building owners under a full-service contract with a certified elevator company often receive inspection coordination at reduced or no additional cost.
• Category 3 hydraulic pressure tests: Generally priced as a separate line item given the additional equipment and time required.
• Category 5 full-load safety tests: The most involved and costly test cycle; pricing reflects the skilled labor and load test equipment required.
• State DBPR inspection fees: Florida charges a statutory inspection fee; the current fee schedule is maintained on the DBPR Elevator Safety Program page and should be verified directly as fees are subject to legislative adjustment.

The most cost-effective approach for most commercial building owners is a preventive maintenance agreement that includes inspection coordination. This eliminates emergency call-out fees, reduces the likelihood of a failed inspection requiring re-inspection charges, and provides predictable annual budgeting. Contact Axxiom Elevator Florida for a site-specific quote based on your equipment inventory and inspection category requirements.

What Happens If My Elevator Fails an Inspection in Florida?

If your elevator fails a DBPR inspection, the inspector will issue a written deficiency report identifying each code violation. Depending on the severity of the deficiency, one of two outcomes typically follows:

• Conditional operation: For minor deficiencies that do not pose an immediate safety risk, the elevator may be permitted to continue operating while repairs are completed within a specified timeframe. A re-inspection is required once repairs are made.
• Immediate shutdown (out-of-service order): For safety-critical deficiencies — such as failed governor mechanisms, hydraulic leaks into the pit, or non-functional door interlocks — the elevator must be taken out of service immediately. Operating a unit under an out-of-service order exposes the building owner to significant civil liability and regulatory fines under Florida Statute 399.

Once deficiencies are corrected by a licensed elevator contractor, a re-inspection must be scheduled and passed before the unit is returned to service and a new operating certificate is issued. Keeping your elevator on a preventive maintenance schedule significantly reduces the likelihood of a failed inspection by identifying and resolving mechanical issues between annual inspection cycles.

If you have received a deficiency notice or an out-of-service order, contact Axxiom Elevator Florida immediately. Our licensed technicians are available across Pompano Beach, Sarasota, and surrounding service areas to assess the cited deficiencies, perform corrective repairs, and coordinate re-inspection with the DBPR.

How Do I Choose Between Elevator Inspection and Maintenance Vendors in Florida?

Choosing the right elevator service vendor is a compliance decision as much as a cost decision. An underqualified or unlicensed contractor puts your operating permit — and your tenants — at risk. Use the following criteria when evaluating vendors:

• DBPR licensure: Verify that the contractor holds a current Florida elevator contractor license issued by the DBPR. You can confirm license status at any time through the DBPR public license search portal.
• ASME code familiarity: Your contractor should be fluent in the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code requirements applicable to your elevator type. Ask specifically which edition of the code your unit was installed under and whether the contractor has experience with both legacy and current code requirements.
• Local presence and response time: Elevator failures do not follow business hours. Choose a contractor with local technicians who can respond quickly to emergency shutdowns and do not rely on out-of-area dispatch.
• Inspection coordination capability: A full-service contractor should handle all DBPR paperwork, schedule inspections on your behalf, and ensure certificates are posted without you managing the process directly.
• Equipment-type specialization: Hydraulic, traction, MRL (machine-room-less), and residential LULA lifts each have distinct maintenance and inspection requirements. Confirm the vendor has direct experience with your specific equipment.
• References and service history: Request references from comparable properties — commercial, residential high-rise, or healthcare — in your market area.

Axxiom Elevator Florida serves building owners and property managers across Pompano Beach, Sarasota, and South and West Florida with DBPR-licensed inspection coordination, preventive maintenance agreements, and emergency repair services for all major elevator types. Contact our team to discuss your property’s inspection schedule and maintenance requirements.

How Long Does an Elevator Inspection Take?

The time required to complete an elevator inspection depends on the inspection category, elevator type, and the number of units being inspected at the same property.

• Category 1 annual inspection: A single elevator unit typically requires one to two hours for a thorough Category 1 inspection covering all required safety devices, door operations, emergency systems, and pit condition. Multi-unit buildings are inspected sequentially and may require a half-day to full-day visit.
• Category 3 hydraulic tests: Pressure and relief valve testing adds time beyond the standard annual inspection, typically an additional one to two hours per hydraulic unit.
• Category 5 full-load safety tests: These are the most time-intensive, often requiring several hours per unit due to the need to stage and remove test weights and verify governor and safety performance under load conditions.

Scheduling lead time matters as well. Working through a private licensed inspector via your service contractor is generally faster than scheduling through the DBPR state inspector queue, particularly in high-demand periods. Axxiom Elevator Florida maintains inspector relationships that allow us to schedule annual inspections with shorter lead times for our maintenance agreement clients across the Pompano Beach and Sarasota service areas.