Pitless Home Elevator Cambodia: Cost & Installation

A pitless home elevator is a modern residential lift designed to operate with little or no pit depth, making installation easier in existing homes or renovation projects. This solution minimizes structural changes while providing safe, convenient vertical mobility for everyday living.

TL;DR: 

This guide explains what a pitless home elevator is, how it works, and how much it costs, helping homeowners choose the right lift solution for houses where a traditional elevator pit is not feasible.

Key points include: 

• A clear explanation of what a pitless home elevator is and how it differs from traditional elevators
• Overview of technologies used in pitless lifts, including screw-driven systems
• Space requirements and installation conditions for existing homes and renovation projects
• Typical price range of pitless home elevators in Cambodia
• Reference pricing and real installation examples of Cibes home elevators

What Is a Pitless Home Elevator?

A pitless home elevator is a residential elevator designed to work with little or no pit depth below the lowest landing. It is also called a no-pit home lift, shallow-pit elevator, or home elevator without a pit.

Traditional elevators usually need a deep pit under the cabin. This space is used for buffers and other technical parts. A pitless elevator uses a different lift design, so it can often be installed directly on the finished floor or with only a shallow recess.

This is helpful when a home was not built with an elevator shaft from the start. In many renovation projects, digging into the floor can affect the foundation, waterproofing, basement, parking area, or underground services. A pitless home elevator reduces that risk.

For homeowners in Cambodia, this is often the key reason to choose a pitless elevator. Many townhouses and villas have limited space, finished floors, and no planned lift pit. A pitless system can make elevator installation easier and cleaner.

How Is It Different from Traditional Home Elevators?

The main difference is the pit requirement and construction impact. Traditional home elevators typically require a pit depth of around 600-1500 mm, while a pitless home elevator can operate with 0 to 120 mm of pit depth, or no pit at all, depending on the model.

Because of this, pitless elevators require less excavation, fewer structural modifications, and faster installation, making them particularly suitable for existing homes.

A pitless elevator is not simply a smaller elevator. It is designed for a different need: adding safe movement between floors while reducing the impact on the building.

When should you choose a pitless home elevator?

You should consider a pitless home elevator if your home was not designed with a lift shaft, or if digging a deep pit may affect the basement, waterproofing, parking area, or finished floor.

In Cambodia, this is common in townhouses, villas, and renovation projects where space is limited and homeowners want to avoid heavy civil work. Pitless home elevators are best suited for homeowners who want to install an elevator without major construction work.

They are commonly used in:

• Existing homes or renovation projects
• Townhouses with limited space
• Homes with basements or underground utilities
• Families planning accessibility for elderly residents

In these situations, a pitless elevator provides a practical and flexible mobility solution without affecting the building’s structure.

How Does a Pitless Home Elevator Work?

A pitless home elevator works by using lift technology designed to reduce the need for a deep pit, large machine room, or major structural changes. Common technologies include screw drive, hydraulic drive, and vacuum systems.

For residential projects, screw-driven lifts are often a strong choice because they are compact, stable, and well suited to low-rise homes.

A typical pitless home elevator includes:

• A drive system
• A platform or cabin
• Guide rails or a support frame
• A control system
• Landing doors or shaft doors
• Safety sensors and emergency functions
• A self-supporting shaft or enclosure in many models

These parts work together to move the lift between floors while using much less space below the platform than a traditional elevator.

Screw-drive technology is often used in pitless home elevators because it:

• Does not require counterweights
• Needs little or no pit depth, depending on the model
• Does not require a separate machine room
• Fits well in compact residential spaces
• Works well for low-rise homes, townhouses, and villas
• Makes installation easier in completed homes or renovation projects
• Reduces the need for major structural changes

In a screw-driven lift, the platform moves along a steel screw through a motor and nut system. This creates controlled vertical movement in a compact structure. That is why many Cibes home lift models use screw-drive technology, with pit depth options such as 0 mm, 70 mm, or 120 mm depending on the model and configuration.

What Are the Key Benefits of Installing a Pitless Home Elevator?

A pitless home elevator helps homeowners add comfort, accessibility, and long-term value without major construction work.

Less construction work

Because the lift needs little or no pit, there is less digging, cutting, and floor modification. This is especially useful in completed homes where the flooring, waterproofing, or basement structure should not be disturbed.

Easier installation in existing homes

Many homes in Cambodia were not planned with a lift from the start. A pitless elevator can often be installed in suitable available spaces after a site survey.

No machine room for many modern systems

Many pitless home lifts, including Cibes screw-driven models, do not need a separate machine room. This saves space and helps protect the roof or top floor from extra construction.

Better access for elderly family members

A home elevator can make daily life easier for elderly parents, wheelchair users, people with knee pain, or anyone who finds stairs tiring.

Compact design for townhouses and villas

Pitless elevators can fit in stairwells, lightwells, small corners, or other spaces that may not work for a traditional elevator.

Cleaner interior design

A modern pitless home elevator can blend with the home. Glass shafts, compact doors, and simple finishes help the lift feel like part of the interior, not an afterthought.

How much does a pitless home elevator cost in Cambodia?

A pitless home elevator in Cambodia typically starts from around USD 37,700 for a 3-stop Cibes home lift. The final price depends on the lift model, number of stops, platform size, travel height, finish, installation location, and site conditions.

Imported screw-driven pitless home elevators are usually positioned in the premium segment. The price reflects not only the lift itself, but also the drive system, certified safety features, imported components, glass shaft package, transportation, installation, testing, commissioning, handover, and after-sales support. 

Cibes is a Swedish lift manufacturer founded in 1947, specializing in residential platform lifts. Its screw-driven home lifts are designed for private homes, townhouses, villas, and renovation projects where building a traditional elevator pit may be difficult. Cibes lifts are installed in more than 80 countries and comply with European safety and manufacturing standards, including Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and relevant EN 81-41 standards for platform lifts.

To better understand how Cibes home lifts work and why they are suitable for residential use, you can watch the video below:

Below is a reference price range for Cibes pitless home elevators in Cambodia, based on the number of stops.

Notes

• Prices above are for reference (updated Sep 2025). The final cost of a pitless home elevator may vary depending on lift size, travel height, installation location (indoor or outdoor), and project location (Phnom Penh or remote provinces such as mountainous areas or islands).

Please contact hotline 011 837 183 for a detailed consultation

• The above prices include VAT, import costs, transportation, installation, and handover/commissioning of the lift.
• The above prices include an imported glass shaft, supplied as a complete set matched to the lift.
• The above prices DO NOT include: Costs for site preparation/repair at the installation area, pit modification, and permit application fees (if any).

Real Cibes pitless home elevator installations in Cambodia

The following Cibes project examples show how a no-pit or shallow-pit lift can fit into real Cambodian homes where a traditional elevator pit is difficult to build.

Case 1: Can you install a home elevator from the ground floor without affecting the basement?

Yes, in some homes this is possible with a shallow-pit lift design.

Project background

• The homeowner wanted to add a lift to a townhouse built in 2010. The house had a basement used as a parking area and a spacious lightwell that could be used for the lift.
• The main request was clear: install the elevator from the ground floor upward without affecting the basement.
• This meant the lift needed a shallow pit and minimal structural impact.

Cibes solution

After the site survey, the Cibes engineering team proposed installing the lift inside the existing lightwell. The selected model was Cibes Voyager V80, which could fit the available space and reduce civil work.

With a pit depth of only 70 mm, the elevator could start from the ground floor while keeping the basement and parking area unaffected.

The compact design also allowed the lift to operate with single-phase electricity, depending on final configuration and site conditions.

Lift specifications

Case 2: Can you install a pitless elevator directly on the existing floor?

Yes. Some screw-driven home lifts can be installed directly on the finished floor with no pit, depending on the model and site condition.

Project Background 

The house had already been fully completed and was in stable use when the homeowner decided to install a home elevator to improve vertical mobility from the basement to the upper floors.

The homeowner requested a solution that would:

• Avoid digging an elevator pit
• Prevent any structural impact on the existing floor

During the technical survey, several constraints were identified:

• The basement floor was already fully finished, making structural modification impossible
• The homeowner wanted to avoid construction work that might affect the basement waterproofing system or staircase structure

Cibes Solutions 

Cibes proposed a screw-driven pitless home elevator that could be installed directly on the existing floor.

The solution included:

• Installing the lift without pit excavation
• Adding a small entrance ramp for safe access
• Avoiding impact on the basement floor and waterproofing system
• Selecting lift dimensions that fit the staircase area

This allowed the home to gain vertical mobility without major changes to the completed structure.

Lift specifications

Conclusion: Is a Pitless Home Elevator the Right Solution for Your Home?

A pitless home elevator is a practical solution for homeowners who want to install a residential lift without major construction work. With minimal pit depth, compact design, and flexible installation, it is especially suitable for existing homes, renovation projects, townhouses, and villas.

Among available options, Cibes pitless home elevators use screw-drive technology and comply with European safety standards, offering a reliable and space-efficient mobility solution for modern homes.

If you are planning to install a pitless home elevator in Cambodia, the Cibes team can provide a free consultation and site survey to determine the most suitable lift solution for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pitless Home Elevator (FAQs) 

Can you install a pitless home elevator in an existing home?

Yes. A pitless home elevator can often be installed in an existing home because it needs little or no pit depth. A technical survey is still required to confirm space, structure, power supply, and lift position.

Do pitless home elevators really work without a pit?

Yes. Some pitless home elevators can be installed with 0 mm pit depth, while others need only a shallow pit of around 70 to 120 mm. The exact requirement depends on the lift model and site condition.

How much does a pitless home elevator cost in Cambodia?

Cibes home lift reference prices in Cambodia start from around USD 37,700 for a 3-stop lift. The final price depends on lift model, size, travel height, number of stops, site condition, and project location.

How long does it take to install a pitless home elevator?

Installation usually takes about 10 to 15 days, depending on site conditions and the lift configuration.

Footnote: Prices, pit depth, and installation time are provided as general references only. Final requirements may vary depending on the lift model, number of stops, travel height, site condition, structure, power supply, and selected finishes. A site survey is recommended before confirming the final lift solution and quotation.