What Really Drives the Cost of Door Lock Monitoring?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗟𝗠? (Series Part 2 of 2)

Once it’s clear that your elevator requires a DLM overlay, rather than just a firmware update or a modernization, the question arises: what drives the variation in cost?

Here are the most common factors:

𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
·       DLM installations typically require 1–2 people for 1–2 days plus inspection. At $200–$300/hour, labor is usually the largest portion of the cost.
·       Example breakdowns:
One person, one day at $200/hour = $1,600
Two people, three days at $300/hour = $18,000
Overtime (three days at $450/hour) = $24,000

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲
·       Some controllers (Dover DMC-1, TAC 20/32/50) require additional sensors and labor to replicate door closed limit (DCL) and door open limit (DOL) signals. Add $1,000–$3,000 for these extras.

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆
·       Some elevators, including many of the oldest ones, place all signals in the machine room; others split them between the cab and machine room, making access more difficult and time-consuming.

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲
·       Waiting until the last minute can increase costs. With many jobs to complete and few mechanics available, overtime becomes necessary and market-driven pricing vs. the cost of non-compliance pushes costs higher.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀
·       Sometimes wires are needed to bring the signals required for DLM from the cab up to the machine room. If spares are not present, installation labor significantly increases. Expect to add roughly 1 day of labor costs.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀
·       Contractors with higher overhead often need larger margins to support operations. It’s worth comparing quotes to see if price reflects the actual cost of the installation or additional margins.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴
·       Some contractors may offer discounts to win new customers or retain existing ones.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
·       Depending on which version of the code your state adopted (ASME A17.1 or ASME A17.3), and whether fire service Phase II is required, the amount of labor needed — and therefore cost — can increase.

𝗗𝗟𝗠 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻
·       While most units cost $2,000–$3,000, required labor varies. Some require rewiring all signals into relays; others can measure signals like a multimeter. Some need large enclosures and conduit, while others mount directly in the control cabinet. More labor means higher cost, so a design that simplifies installation can save money.

✅Bottom line
If your elevator needs a DLM overlay, expect to spend between $8,000–$30,000. Costs near the top of that range usually involve several of the high-expense factors listed above.

At Argus Elevator, our DLM systems are designed to make installation as simple as possible, minimize labor, and reduce the chance of callbacks. This helps lower the cost of compliance while maximizing elevator safety.