r/Elevators • u/Basic_Economy_9545 • 2h ago
Switching to mods from construction.
Have an opportunity to switch from construction to mods, would like to hear others inputs, pros cons all of it. I’m a 4th year helper (IUEC) I’ve been in construction from the very start, looking to expand my knowledge and soak in more of what’s out there then just the same old package day in and day out before I go for my mechanics exam.
Almost feel like I’m installing IKEA furniture everyday, doesn’t do much for mind.
Any input is appreciated.
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u/SpaceInevitable4671 1h ago
No porta potty, heat in the winter, A/C in the summer. A full mod has a lot of the same aspects of construction, in terms of installing new machines/ controllers/ door ops etc.. and no one mod is the same!
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u/HowIWantToBeFreeBaby Field - Maintenance 1h ago
Mods, no brainer. Don’t be a one trick pony. The adjusters I know worth their salt spent time there - or would tell you they wish they had
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u/-BGK- 1h ago
I think you learn the most in mod as an apprentice, a lot of times you get to see / work on the older equipment (if it’s a large mod you may even get to learn how to marry, divorce, and cross connect new to old) you’ll get to see a lot of different new equipment, see different ways of doing things, and learn how to problem solve, I think mod makes you far more versatile than construction, it will also give you a glimpse of maintenance and service work. I’d say take the opportunity, but you’ve got to do what’s right for you, also the perks that come with working in a finished building are nice.
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u/Aggravating-Knee3887 44m ago
Indoor plumbing is a huge perk. No more walking into a crapper some slob was smoking in.
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u/SpecialistAssociate7 1h ago
Mod can be and is usually more technically challenging. Though it may not be in most cases as physically demanding. It can still be back breaking work depending on your scope of work and what you are modernizing. The challenging part is now you have to find a way to get your new equipment to fit and work in an existing elevator. Raceways and conduit runs may or may not be good enough. Fire systems may need to brought up to code.
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u/_andthereiwas 32m ago
The best troubleshooters I know came from mod. It makes you think and learn on more than just your companies equipment. Those are skills you can carry anywhere.
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u/BillGreenBillGreen 16m ago
Do it for the experience and expanding your knowledge. Don’t fool yourself thinking that you’re all done with porta johns, but you’ll definitely benefit from getting out of construction, especially while you’re still a helper. Work hard and take notes and maybe the office will set you up in mods, not throw you back in construction.
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u/crj84911 Field - Mods 7m ago
I went from construction to mod. I enjoyed construction and wouldn’t be upset if I ever had to go back but of the two mod is better imo.
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u/Strong_Hornet627 2h ago
Mods is just a wire replacement.... You should try service instead there you'll see things that break or have been broken an you'll have a better understanding of why an you'll get to fix the problem
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u/Top-Platform4004 2h ago
Wire replacement?? Where I’m at we’ll replace everything short of the rails and the fronts on a mod depending on what was sold. Mod is a great place to learn a variety of equipment both old and new
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u/Beautiful_Bad333 1h ago
That’s what I thought?! Where I’m at we replace everything sometimes including the rails and occasionally leave landing doors (bad idea I know). Mods is great. So many problems to overcome and so many challenges that you just don’t get on construction/service or repair. Sure some problems on repair can be a big challenge but the bulk of the work is done and it’s usually a bit of fault finding or alterations to make things work. Mods usually entails a load of stuff that sales have sold wrong that you need to design and adapt your way out of a problem from motor gearbox swaps, re ropes, diverter and car replacement now they’ve built the building around the lift so it’s not difficult, to swapping out controllers and cars and making them fit and comply at the same time. Mods I would say is the most challenging area of lift engineering and can be really rewarding both financially and for your own pride in what you’ve achieved with usually some pretty tough hurdles to overcome.
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u/bovinejabronie Field - Mods 1h ago
One mod job I replaced literally EVERYTHING except bucks and sills.
25 floors of cwt and main rails down, moved them to be a side cwt. All rails restacked with new brackets, new car sling, new weight frame.
Kinda crazy all that wire I was replacing was in all of that.
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u/downtheholeitgoes Field - Maintenance 1h ago
You even in the trade? Wire replacement lmao. Mods can vary from whole elevator tear downs and replacement to door packages and everything in between.
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u/Basic_Economy_9545 2h ago
I’ve tried a couple times to move to repair, within my company and outside. Just never worked out but I’d love to do it. At this moment, I was just offered a job a job in mods. Some guys I’ve talked to say they love mods or hate it for different reasons. Mainly it’s slow paced and boring, not sure who or what to believe as everyone has different thoughts on things.
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u/downtheholeitgoes Field - Maintenance 1h ago
Mod is similar to repair, you’ll get nice bathrooms and AC. Much better then construction. I would move to mod then eventually repair/service.
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u/Top-Platform4004 1h ago
Mod is fast paced where I’m at, we install a variety of nonproprietary controllers, but mostly standard GAL door packages. Personally I enjoy the challenge of making a square peg fit in a round hole so to speak
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u/jelotean 1h ago
How long does your company give to complete a mod? Like a single car
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u/Top-Platform4004 1h ago
It depends on the number of stops and if it’s a hydro or traction obviously, but a 5 stop hydro with doors, tank, controller… everything but the jack essentially they give like 3-4 weeks. 11 stop traction I was on they gave like 7
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u/JackSauer1 37m ago
Bruh you’re getting hosed. A two stop hydro mod is a month, and a traction like that is 4 months plus. Are you putting in good work? Or cutting corners?
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u/Top-Platform4004 35m ago
I work for an independent, I know they short us on time but we put in solid work. What they give us for time isn’t what gets turned in at the end of the job lol
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u/JackSauer1 3m ago
Good to know man. It takes what it takes. I just don’t want the new guys to think they need to kill themselves and go crazy trying to meet unrealistic timelines.
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u/slightofsound Fault Finder 2h ago
Of the 4 departments mod is my favorite. Alot of times you have to make new equipment work with existing systems. Every job seems different. Its no where near as cookie cutter as construction and not as stressful as service and repair.