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1. Is the scope of services specific?
“Maintenance of the heating system” is not a specification. A good contract names the system, the activities and the standard or manufacturer requirement.
Without this, nobody can check later whether the service was delivered.
2. Do the intervals match the system?
Intervals derive from standards, manufacturer requirements and usage. One annual inspection for a fire alarm system that is due quarterly is a risk, not a saving.
3. What is included and what costs extra?
The flat fee rarely covers everything. It must be clear what counts as maintenance and what as repair, which wear parts are included and how extras are priced.
This is where most disputes and additional costs arise.
4. Which response times apply?
In the event of a fault, what counts is the time to arrival and to rectification. Without binding deadlines this is left to chance, especially for lifts and safety-critical systems.
5. How is the work documented?
The contract should specify which reports and measured values are handed over after each maintenance, in what form and to whom. Otherwise the proof is missing in the end.
6. How does the price develop?
Price adjustments are common but must be transparent. Check the index, the frequency and whether the adjustment was applied correctly in recent years.
Contracts often still contain items for parts that were replaced long ago.
7. How do you get out again?
Long terms with automatic renewal are the norm for lifts. Know the notice periods and renewal dates and record them where they will not be overlooked.
If you are unsure about several points, an independent review pays off. HTA compares the contract with your systems and reports.
