I initially delved into this subject in the Spring 2008 edition of ELEVATION. I've been told that my article was valuable to end users, and I've been encouraged by industry colleagues to revisit this topic with a 2024 perspective. ‘

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten,” but of course, quality needs to be associated with not only the product but also the workmanship and installation standard.

We can all agree that different situations call for different qualities of equipment. Nonetheless, it's disconcerting that some developers prioritise cost over the needs of their buildings. It's important to note that "cost" alone is an insufficient measure of quality. True professionals consider "life cost" and factors like business interruption and disturbance. "Cost" doesn't necessarily equate to "value for money", as poorly manufactured equipment sold at an exorbitant price doesn't represent an attractive proposition.

The ideal goal is to achieve an installation that perfectly suits the task, offering reliability and longevity at the right price. Despite the requirements for disabled access in buildings, it's perplexing that many single-lift structures often succumb to the allure of costsaving measures.