Getting a loft ladder fitted

[GermyElephant]

We have a loft. We'd like a ladder fitted so we can access it. We need a new hatch as ours opens up the way.

Has anyone had this done? How much does it cost? Would we be cheaper to buy one and pay a joiner to fit it? Are the wooden all-in-one kits any good or is an aluminium one better?

Any advice or experiences would be helpful. Thank you

I installed an aluminium loft ladder on my own.

It is fixed to a joist just inside the loft hatch and lies there horizontally when not in use. it pulls down when in use. It has a handrail for extra safety.

I didn't need to move my loft hatch but I did have to take the loft hatch lid and modify it by cutting it down to exactly fit the hatch hole and by attaching hinges so it drops down to allow access to the ladder. I also had to fit a catch to the loft lid to secure it when it is in the closed position. The type of catch need a large coring type drilled hole to enable me to fit it but you could just use a bolt.

It took me a whole afternoon but was worthwhile as I can get into the loft very easily and safely. You may also want to get an electric light fitted and to lay boarding so you can walk around easily

We had ours fitted years ago so cannot remember price. We have a large hinged hatch that comes down into the room and the ladder sits in the loft, horizontally. We have a hook on a pole to pull the ladder down and it opens in sections. There may be better ones on the market now. The only problem with ours is the catch for the loft hatch. It is fiddly and it is above your head so difficult to open and close with the same hook and pole as I use for the ladder. Check how you loft catch will work if the hatch is going to swing down as you need to control it. Definitely worth doing though.

Aye, we definitely think it is worth doing! Just trying to work out the best way to go about it and to get an idea of what's a reasonable cost.

Fitting it ourselves is not really an option. DH doesn't want to and I am really short so can't even get up there at all at the moment.

hi OP, don't know if it is accurate but i've been browsing this website which supposedly gives an idea of the cost of various works:

www.buildingsheriff.com/loft-ladder-costs.html

We had one fitted 4 years ago which involved removing old hatch and enlarging the opening and fitting this ladder and hatch combo from B&Q.

Ladder is £128 and I believe I paid a builder £120? to fit it. He had to cut a larger opening, cut through joists, batten out the new hatch opening to strengthen the ceiling etc so there is a bit of work involved. Previously we have just fitted loft ladders ourselves but the opening was very small.

We chose the wooden one as you can shorten the legs to accommodate the height from floor to ceiling.

Ask around for a good builder. And I would say having had building works done and other jobs in the garden that the buildingsherffif website is a good ballpark figure.

Contented, that's brilliant. That's exactly what we were thinking of doing and those costs sound much better than I hoped!

Will check out that link too, thanks!