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Krešimir Bošković
Episode · #759

ZGRADONAČELNIK Krešimir Bošković

Guest Krešimir BoškovićHosted by Ana Leko VučkovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The Croatian government's new program to subsidize elevator installations in existing residential buildings aims to improve accessibility, but its design has created significant tension. By heavily favoring projects with the lowest price per 'stop' (floor) and setting rigid caps, the policy risks overlooking the complex realities of construction and quality. Krešimir Bošković, director of Siget Dizala, offers a contractor's perspective on these challenges. He explains how the program's criteria, if unchanged, could lead to compromised quality, unfair competition, and ultimately fail to address the needs of many buildings. This conversation reveals the intricate balance between well-intentioned policy and the practicalities of on-the-ground execution, leaving listeners to consider how to bridge that gap.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The government program's scoring system, which gives zero points for elevator installation projects costing over €12,500 per stop, ignores critical factors beyond just the number of floors. As Bošković explains, "The only criterion mentioned is the number of stops. Nowhere is the method of elevator installation mentioned, which is a very important factor in determining the price." A policy focused solely on price-per-unit without accounting for installation complexity will inadvertently penalize buildings with greater structural challenges, creating an unfair system.
02
The true cost of installing an elevator extends far beyond the elevator unit itself, encompassing extensive preparatory works like excavation for the pit, wall penetrations, structural reinforcements, utility relocations, and electrical upgrades. Ignoring these civil engineering and infrastructure modifications in policy design means significantly underestimating the actual project cost and scope, leading to funding shortfalls for many deserving buildings.
03
When an "average" four-story building elevator is estimated at €60,000, that translates to €12,000 per stop (for a five-stop elevator), putting it perilously close to the program's zero-point threshold of €12,500. This disparity shows that policy thresholds set based on generalized averages often fail to account for actual market realities and specific project complexities, making many viable projects ineligible for full support.
04
Rising costs for energy, worker salaries, and subcontractor services (installers, designers, civil engineers, electricians) directly impact the feasibility of elevator installation projects. In an environment of escalating expenses, rigid price caps in subsidy programs become quickly outdated, forcing contractors to choose between quality compromises or declining projects, ultimately hindering the program's effectiveness.
05
The "first and main condition for subsidizing elevator installation is the existence of a main project," which includes detailed civil engineering, mechanical, and electrical plans. A comprehensive technical project is not merely a bureaucratic formality; it is the essential prerequisite that ensures all bids are comparable and that the true scope of work is understood, preventing hidden costs and quality disputes.
06
Bošković strongly recommends electric elevators without a machine room over hydraulic alternatives, citing significantly lower power consumption—for example, 1.5 kW for electric versus 5 kW for hydraulic at 0.6 m/s speed. When upgrading existing infrastructure, opting for newer, more energy-efficient technology, even if it has a higher upfront cost, can lead to substantial long-term savings in operational expenses and reduced energy demand.
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