Why Elevators Cost 4× More in North America

This episode begins by taking an elevator into a cost puzzle. Why does installing one in North America cost three to four times as much as in peer countries? The answer lies in fragmented codes, larger mandated car sizes, a concentrated vendor landscape, and a tight, highly unionized technician pipeline. The downstream effects include fewer elevators in small- and mid-rise buildings, reduced accessibility, and higher construction costs. We map the incentives at play and identify fixes—standard harmonization, talent pipelines, and performance-based regulation—that reduce costs without sacrificing safety.