The definitive guide to local shopping; methodically researched, updated daily.

December 22, 2024

Motion Elevator Inc

Send an email to this Company
(954) 970-0020
5915 Park Dr
Margate, FL 33063
State License #CC325
  • Prime Buyer's Report Top Ten
  • CET (Certified Elevator Technician)
  • Chamber of Commerce-Margate FL
  • NAEC (National Association of Elevator Contractors)

Areas Served: South Florida incl. Broward County
Services: elevator maintenance, elevator repair, elevator modernization, elevator services, residential elevators,…
Key Brands: CE Electronics, GAL Door Operators, Hollister Whitney

When it comes to the elevator industry there's been a proliferation of brand new small operators in recent years who with little time in business, claim to provide cheaper service than the big companies, often by taking shortcuts that cost you more later and can even be dangerous.  As a result, many of the big companies have responded to that price pressure by lowering their rates a bit, but with a loss of service that you might not even be aware of due to the wording of their contracts.
 
Luckily there's one company in South Florida that strikes the right balance between the more personalized service of a modest sized company, value and experience, with almost four decades in the industry and 20 years in business. And that's the Broward County firm Motion Elevator Inc in Margate FL, whose customers we heard from say delivers better service and affordable rates for everything from repairs and maintenance to upgrades and full modernization.  And readers of this Report are getting a free estimate by calling them now and saying they saw it here.
 

Motion Elevator Inc in Margate FL: Perfect Size for Perfect Service

Think hiring a small one-man operation that quotes cut rate pricing is a smart way to save money? Think again. Not only do they often lack enough time in the business and just don't have the resources to provide the ongoing maintenance and service you'll need, but many of them are taking hidden shortcuts in order to seem so cheap, like using used parts instead of new ones, or poor quality ones from China, or charging you for an upgrade where they replace only the controller but leave the old door operator and pit equipment which you'll only find out later when you can't pass inspection and end up having to pay for those replacements anyway.

Unlike those companies Motion Elevator Inc in Broward County is known for the experience that comes with owner Joe Portelli and his 40 years in the industry,  the fair pricing and honest estimates without hidden shortcuts like used parts or old parts unreplaced, and with 24 employees, that has the resources to respond to your repair needs and emergency calls like you need.

So would hiring one of the large corporations avoid the problems that come with those fly-by-night one-man operations? No, it turns out. In the face of price pressures, the largest companies have been taking their own shortcuts. One example are contracts that promise "periodic" service, which customers take to mean monthly, only to find out later that "periodic" means whatever that corporation says it does. And that lack of monthly service calls means higher costs in the long run for repairs, breakdowns, and emergency calls that could have been avoided.  Another are contracts that claim motor replacement is covered, but then later when there's a problem it's falsely claimed the motor problem was due to a power surge, which is not covered.

With those kinds of games going on in the industry, why doesn't Motion Elevator Inc do that too, rather than insist on staying honest?   Joe Potelli's wife Rose Portelli explained it to us. "We've worked hard to have the good reputation that we do so we prefer to be honest with our customers about everything that's covered, and can even extend specific coverage to what they tell us they want. For instance, we give a full one year warranty on all workmanship and material but for modernization work we can extend that longer based on their needs."

Real Value from Motion Elevator Inc in Margate FL

That kind of honesty and fairness extends to their pricing too. Like we heard about from one customer of Motion Elevator Inc named Jack who told us, "We had some problems with our inspection and the previous elevator company wanted to charge us $4,000. Then I went to hire another one and they didn't even come out and they wanted to charge $5,000. Then I went to Motion Elevator and not only did they come out where the others didn't, they gave us a bill for $700. They also offer 24 hour emergency calls without time and a half or double time. I referred them to another condo association and they also went to Motion Elevator."

Another advantage that customers get from Motion Elevator Inc in Margate FL over the largest companies is giving their customers choices and flexibility. Those big corporations use proprietary equipment that only their company can service, leaving you stuck with them.  Unlike those, Motion Elevator Inc gives its customers freedom and choices. Rose Portelli explains, "We install non-proprietary equipment that anyone can work on in the future, plus we offer the customer options among the quality manufacturers like SmartRise, GAL, Hollister Whitney and others."

Motion Elevator Inc is also the local company known for quality upgrades and modernizations.  A customer of Motion Elevator named Barry shared with us, "They did an absolutely fabulous job.  I think we have the most beautiful elevators on the beach. They put in 11 foot elevators in for us. It's all burl wood walls and granite floors. Anything minor happens they're here in no time. Service is great." And another customer named Ray who said, "Joe Portelli and Motion Elevator did a restoration in one of our buildings. Joe did the work and I'm very satisfied with the cost, the timing, and the workmanship. It was done very professionally. I would have no problem in recommending him."

Another value customers say they get with Motion Elevator Inc that they don't get with the large corporate companies is the personal service that means greater familiarity with your property and leads to cost savings through better maintenance and more efficiency. Rose Portelli tells us, "We're a medium-sized company so our customers are not just a number to us. Our services are very personalized and our mechanics have a good ongoing relationship with our customers. They're assigned to certain buildings so the customer gets to know them and they get to know the customer's needs."

A customer named Ken who we heard from as research for this article backed this up, saying, "We picked them up when it was time to rehab our elevators. They did a complete motor room and the elevator and they've been our service people ever since. They're sociable, friendly. Their workers are great. We've had them a good ten years. I can't see letting them go."
 

Motion Elevator Inc and Joe Portelli in Broward County: The Local Experts

Joseph Portelli lives in Margate FL with his wife of 33 years, Rose Portelli and they've raised two children here, both of whom now work with them at Motion Elevator. Joe Portelli started in the industry 40 years ago, being highly inclined in electrical work and quickly became recognized for superior troubleshooting skills. He formed Motion Elevator Inc in 1995 and since that time has become recognized among other companies as one to call when they encounter a problem they can't figure out themselves.  An assistant at Motion Elevator Inc says that while Joe is known as a welcoming person with a good sense of humor, employees also know him as a straightforward businessman who insists on perfection when it comes to servicing clients. And as President of the company he stills goes on calls himself as a technician, with the forte of being able to do repairs that others can't fix. 

So to avoid the problems that come with companies too large and too small, locals say that Motion Elevator Inc in Margate FL is the medium sized company with the staff and resources to do a proper job, with more personalized service and honesty in contracts compared to the corporate giants, along with honesty in bids and pricing, and money saved through more complete repairs done with quality parts. 

In the words of one customer Ed we heard from for this article who's been using them long enough to know, "We have been using them for years as our maintenance and service company. A couple years ago they redid our elevators completely from top to bottom because they were old. Everything went well and we're very happy with them. I'm sure you'd have a similar experience."