Last reviewed: June 2026. We are an independent lift company, so read this knowing where we sit. We have kept the comparison honest, including the cases where the manufacturer is the better answer.
Most buildings inherit their lift maintenance arrangement rather than choosing it. The installer hands over the lift, the maintenance contract comes bundled, and years later nobody remembers deciding anything. This guide lays out the actual differences between staying with the manufacturer and appointing an independent, so the decision can be a decision.
Do you have to use the manufacturer that installed your lift?
No. Once a lift is handed over, the owner is free to appoint any competent lift maintenance company. There is no legal requirement, no technical lock, and no safety rule that ties a Kone, Otis, Schindler, or any other lift to its maker. Parts and technical documentation for the vast majority of equipment are available through open distribution, and competition rulings in the UK and EU have pushed manufacturers to keep diagnostic tools accessible to third parties.
We maintain equipment from every major manufacturer. Our lift brands directory covers the makes we see most, from Kone and Otis to Schindler and Stannah.
How do the two models compare?
| Factor | Manufacturer (OEM) | Independent |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price, like for like | Benchmark | 20 to 40 per cent lower |
| Contract terms | Often 3 to 5 years, auto-renewing | Usually 12 month rolling |
| Notice to leave | Commonly 3 months before renewal, easy to miss | Typically 1 to 3 months, any time |
| Engineer continuity | Large rotating teams | Same engineers, building knowledge compounds |
| Parts for own brand | Direct factory access | Open distribution, genuine or equivalent |
| Parts for other brands | Limited interest | Core business, all makes |
| Decision distance | Branch, region, head office | You talk to the people who decide |
| Best for | Lifts in warranty, new proprietary systems | Mixed portfolios, lifts out of warranty |
Where a manufacturer contract genuinely makes sense
Honesty cuts both ways, so here are the two cases where we tell prospects to stay put:
- The lift is inside its warranty or defects liability period. The installer needs to stay involved while they are liable for defects, and switching mid-warranty muddies accountability. Plan the switch for warranty end instead.
- The lift runs a new, heavily proprietary control system. For the first years of some current-generation systems, the manufacturer's diagnostic access is meaningfully better. The gap closes as systems mature and tooling spreads, but on day one it is real.
Outside those two cases, the technical argument for staying with the manufacturer is weak, and the commercial argument usually points the other way.
Why is independent maintenance cheaper?
It is not because corners get cut. Independents carry lower overheads, price each lift on its actual condition rather than a national rate card, and treat maintenance as the core business rather than the after-sales annuity of an installation division. The engineering content of a maintenance visit, the checks, adjustments, lubrication, and reporting, follows the same manufacturer recommendations and SFG20 schedules either way.
For typical contract pricing across tiers, see our UK lift maintenance cost guide.
How does switching actually work?
Switching provider is administratively lighter than most building managers expect:
- Check your notice window. Find the renewal date and notice period in the current contract before anything else. Auto-renewal clauses are where switches die.
- Get a takeover survey. A serious incoming contractor surveys the lift first and tells you its real condition, including anything the outgoing contractor should fix before they leave.
- Serve notice in writing. Keep it factual and keep proof of service.
- Documentation handover. The incoming contractor collects maintenance records, LOLER reports, and any written scheme of examination. Ownership of those documents sits with you, not the outgoing contractor.
- First visit and baseline report. The new contract starts with a documented baseline, so responsibility for pre-existing issues is clear from day one.
Our switching guide covers the process in detail, including the questions to put to any incoming contractor, us included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use the manufacturer to maintain my lift?
No. Once the lift is handed over, you are free to appoint any competent lift maintenance company.
Can an independent company maintain a Kone, Otis, or Schindler lift?
Yes. Competent independents maintain all major makes, with genuine or equivalent parts available through open distribution and manufacturer documentation accessible to third parties.
Will switching void my warranty?
During the warranty or defects liability period the installer usually needs to stay involved, so switch at warranty end. After that, switching has no effect on your position provided the lift is maintained to the manufacturer's recommendations.
How much cheaper is independent maintenance?
Typically 20 to 40 per cent below manufacturer pricing for a like-for-like contract in the UK.
How much notice do I need to give?
Commonly 3 months before renewal on manufacturer contracts, which auto-renew if missed. Diarise the window as soon as you find it.
Want to know what your lift actually needs?
We will survey the lift, review your current contract, and tell you honestly whether switching saves you money, and whether now is the right time. No obligation either way.
