Keeping elevators running across
the Carolinas
5.0
(20)

 

  • Modern compliance and safety focus
  • Tailored and flexible maintenance solutions
  • Transparent pricing and accountability
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Charter Elevator team standing beside commercial elevator machinery
Charter Elevator — We Lift You Up brand emblem
A decade

Servicing the Carolinas

1,000+

Elevators served

24/7

A real person answers

Charter Elevator technician inspecting

Full-service elevator care for every brand

As the Carolinas’ owner-led elevator partner, we provide full-service coverage for hydraulic and traction equipment, no matter what brand is running in your machine room.

A Local Elevator Company Led by Industry Veterans

For over a decade, Charter Elevator has redefined what building owners and property managers expect from an elevator repair company. Founded by former Otis President Bill Miller, we blend world-class elevator expertise with the responsiveness of a local, owner-led team.

Charter is your reliable partner for proactive elevator maintenance, fast 24/7 response repairs, or a full modernization. Our recommendations are crafted around your building, your budget, and your long-term goals.

  • Proactive service, not reactive fixes: Data-driven maintenance programs that prevent downtime before it starts.
  • Straight talk and fair pricing: Clear scopes, no surprise fees, and pricing you can understand.
  • People-first technicians: Highly trained elevator technicians who treat your property—and your tenants—with respect.
  • Responsive: We are always just a phone call away from first conversation to final inspection.

We provide building owners “elevator peace of mind” so that they have more time to focus on what they do best.

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Building owners trust Charter Elevator

5.0
(20)

I'm the manager of condominium in Charleston and have been working with Charter Elevator for our routine elevator maintenance, as well to complete an elevator modernization project. Their maintenance team is excellent - responsive, kind, and always willing to address any needs.

Charter Elevator-especially Ian and Ryan-helped us solve a fairly large problem with our elevator. They kept us informed and aware of any issues along the way. We would highly recommend them!

From the first Call to the office dealing with KC followed up supervisor Ben to his loyal technician Ryan it has been a pleasure we bought a used home with a used elevator with many kinks. They performed various tests to get all the kinks out. I am very pleased How they run their company and how my elevator runs.

I've had the pleasure of working with Charter for two years now ... I called on Christmas Eve when our single elevator went down, and Van returned my call immediately and had us up and running in no time.

The difference is in how we work

We’re proactive, not reactive about issues
Clear pricing before the work begins, no surprises
Local, responsive, and accountable technicians
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We’re always a call away. Anytime, day or night.
Call 24/7 877-632-4278

Serving the people who own and manage buildings

Charter works with the teams responsible for vertical transportation.

Commercial Office
Commercial Office
Keep tenants and operations moving.
Multifamily & Residential
Multifamily & Residential
Reliable service for the place people call home.
Healthcare & Institutional
Healthcare & Institutional
Less downtime, fewer headaches.
Property Managers & Owners
Property Managers & Owners
Protect your investment. Simplify your day.
Proudly serving the Carolinas

We’re headquartered right here in the Carolinas, with technicians based across both states, so response time isn't a matter of luck.

Our Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about how Charter Elevator operates and maintains elevators.

In South Carolina, the building owner is responsible for scheduling the annual elevator inspection. Not the maintenance contractor. Not the management company. The owner calls a licensed special inspector, and the owner receives the invoice and the certificate from LLR.

 

Operating a unit without a current certificate is a violation of state law. It is also the first thing a plaintiff’s attorney asks for after an incident.

 

North Carolina runs differently — NCDOL inspectors handle inspections directly, and any permitted work voids the certificate of operation until a compliance inspection is completed and the unit is re-certified.

Your elevator’s maintenance schedule should be tailored to its age, condition, and usage. Visits every other month are a good starting point for many buildings, while older or heavily used elevators may need more frequent attention.

 

At Charter Elevator, we explain the recommended schedule and the reasoning behind it, document every visit, and perform proactive maintenance to help prevent problems before they cause downtime.

An elevator maintenance contract typically includes scheduled preventive maintenance, lubrication, and adjustments. Coverage for service calls, replacement parts, repairs, and required testing varies by agreement, so it’s important to understand what’s included, and what costs extra.

 

At Charter Elevator, we explain your coverage and exclusions upfront and help you choose the right plan for your equipment, building, and budget.

When an elevator fails its annual inspection in South Carolina, the owner receives a violation correction form. The unit doesn’t get its certificate back until every item is corrected and the form is returned.

 

Here’s where owners get stuck: the violation list is written in code language, the corrections are quoted by the incumbent contractor at whatever the incumbent contractor feels like quoting, and there’s no independent read on which items are genuinely safety-critical versus which are the contractor upselling off a punch list.

 

We’ll read your violation report with you. No charge, no obligation. If your current provider’s number is fair, we’ll tell you that too.

Charter’s Project Success Standards are:

 

  • Customer First: We met customer needs and earned their trust.
  • Right The First Time: Diagnosed and priced accurately— value added recommendations, no guesswork.
  • Ownership: We own problems, fix them, and stand behind our work.
  • Safe: Clean, code-compliant, safe to ride and work on.
  • Craftsmanship: Prompt, professional work that we take pride in – no cut corners.
  • Clarity: Clear and direct communication, especially when it was difficult.

Choose an elevator contractor that can explain how they’ll care for your equipment, who will perform the work, and what you can expect when something goes wrong. Look for experienced technicians, a clear maintenance schedule, transparent contract coverage, and direct access to people who can resolve issues.

 

At Charter Elevator, we focus exclusively on North and South Carolina. That deliberate focus keeps us close to our customers and accountable for the service we provide. We believe you should know your service team, understand the work being done, and receive clear updates without having to chase them.

 

Our mission is straightforward: high-quality service for customers who appreciate it.

Owner-led, and proud of it

Charter is run by the people who answer the phone and stand behind the work.

Jeff Thompson CEO & President
LinkedIn profile portrait of a Charter Elevator team member
Jeff leads Charter with a hands-on, owner-led approach — and he's happy to be the escalation point when you need one.
Ben Rabin Vice President & Head of Revenue
LinkedIn profile portrait of a Charter Elevator team member
As the vice president and head of revenue, Ben Rabin carries the company’s customer relationships and growth across the Carolinas.
Bill Miller Founder
LinkedIn profile portrait of a Charter Elevator team member
After more than a decade of building one of the Carolinas’ most respected independent elevator service companies, founder Bill Miller has retired.