NAICS 238290 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Building Equipment Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238290Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Other Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 238290) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, building equipment analysts, and specialty construction investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other building equipment contractors industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 238290) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in installing or servicing building equipment not classified under electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, or ventilation work per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Work performed includes new installation, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include elevator and escalator installation and service, automated and revolving door installation, conveyor system installation, lightning protection equipment, machine rigging and moving, commercial overhead door installation, and millwright services for industrial equipment.
Roughly 6,588 firms operate 7,848 establishments employing over 132,000 workers per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data. Elevator and escalator installation and maintenance accounts for a major share of industry revenue, with Otis Elevator Company, Schindler, KONE, and ThyssenKrupp operating as the dominant equipment manufacturers and service providers. Independent elevator contractors serve both new construction installation and ongoing maintenance, modernization, and repair markets. National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) founded in 1948 represents the elevator and escalator industry through education and safety advocacy.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is $22 million in average annual receipts. ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) establishes design, construction, and maintenance standards for vertical transportation equipment adopted by all U.S. jurisdictions. OSHA[7] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all building equipment installation activities, with elevator shaft work at height and heavy equipment rigging operations presenting the highest safety risks. State and local elevator inspection programs enforce safety code compliance through periodic inspections and operating permits. ADA accessibility requirements govern elevator cab dimensions, controls, and signage for public buildings.
What's Included in This Industry
- Elevator installation, modernization, and service
- Escalator and moving walkway installation
- Automated and revolving door systems
- Commercial overhead and roll-up door installation
- Conveyor system installation and service
- Machine rigging and heavy equipment moving
- Millwright services for industrial equipment
- Lightning protection system installation
- Loading dock equipment and leveler installation
- Wheelchair lift and accessibility equipment
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Building Equipment Contractors | 2382 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Building Equipment Contractors | 23829 |
| National Industry | Other Building Equipment Contractors | 238290 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | Electrical Contractors install the power wiring, motor connections, and control circuits that elevators, escalators, and automated doors require, with elevator electrical work requiring dedicated machine room power feeds and cab lighting circuits installed by licensed electricians |
| 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors install elevator machine room ventilation, sprinkler connections, and sump pumps in elevator pits, with mechanical system coordination required to maintain proper temperature and fire protection in elevator hoistways and equipment spaces |
| 238120 | Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors | Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors erect the building frames including elevator shaft steel and escalator support structures, with structural engineering for elevator rail brackets, pit loading, and machine room floor capacity coordinated between structural and elevator trades |
| 238310 | Drywall and Insulation Contractors | Drywall and Insulation Contractors construct elevator lobby walls, shaft enclosures, and fire-rated assemblies around elevator and escalator openings, with fire-rated drywall construction at hoistway walls and elevator lobby separations required by building and fire codes |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction manages projects where elevator and building equipment contractors work as specialty subcontractors, with elevator installation scheduled during the structural and interior finish phases of commercial building construction |
| 238190 | Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors perform specialized welding and structural metal installation in elevator shafts and machine rooms, with rail bracket welding, guide rail alignment, and pit ladder installation requiring on-site fabrication and welding by specialty metal contractors |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.1% | 817 |
| 2 | Texas | 9.0% | 730 |
| 3 | Florida | 7.0% | 569 |
| 4 | New York | 6.1% | 496 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.2% | 344 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 291 |
| 7 | Ohio | 3.4% | 277 |
| 8 | Georgia | 3.3% | 266 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 3.0% | 246 |
| 10 | Michigan | 2.9% | 233 |
% Of Establishments
0%
10%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[2]
SBA Lending Summary
123
Total SBA Loans
$72.2M
Total Loan Volume
$587K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.11%
Average Interest Rate
1,197
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], Other Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 238290) has a size standard of $22 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support equipment purchases, specialized tools, and working capital for qualifying building equipment contracting firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 10 | $7.0M | $695K |
| 2 | FMS Bank | 1 | $5.0M | $5.0M |
| 3 | Gulf Coast Business Bank | 1 | $4.2M | $4.2M |
| 4 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 3 | $4.0M | $1.3M |
| 5 | TD Bank, National Association | 7 | $3.9M | $550K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for elevator contractors?
NAICS 238290 covers other building equipment contractors including elevator, escalator, conveyor, automated door, overhead door, and millwright installation per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
What is the SBA size standard for building equipment contractors?
The SBA size standard[6] is $22 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is the building equipment contracting industry?
Roughly 6,588 firms operate 7,848 establishments employing over 132,000 workers per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data, with elevator and escalator installation and service accounting for a major share of industry revenue.
What safety code governs elevator installation?
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) establishes design, construction, and maintenance standards adopted by all U.S. jurisdictions, with state and local elevator inspection programs enforcing code compliance through acceptance testing and periodic inspections.
Who are the largest elevator companies?
Otis Elevator Company, Schindler, KONE, and ThyssenKrupp operate as the dominant elevator and escalator manufacturers and service providers per industry data, with independent elevator contractors providing additional installation, modernization, and maintenance services in local markets.
What does millwright work involve?
Millwrights install, align, and maintain industrial machinery including turbines, generators, production equipment, and conveyor systems per Census Bureau[4] activity descriptions, with precision alignment and vibration analysis skills distinguishing millwright work from general mechanical installation.
What ADA requirements apply to elevators?
ADA accessibility requirements govern elevator cab dimensions, controls, signage, and audible signals for public buildings per federal accessibility standards, with elevator cab size, door width, button height, and Braille signage specifications ensuring access for persons with disabilities.
What is elevator modernization?
Elevator modernization replaces aging controllers, motors, door operators, and fixtures in existing elevators to improve performance, reliability, and code compliance per industry practice, with modernization projects extending elevator service life by 20 to 25 years while improving energy efficiency and ride quality.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]OSHA osha.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
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