moving joists to fit loft ladder? alternatives?

[mouselittle]

has anyone had joists removed to fit a new loft hatch and ladder?
apparently our joists are in the way and would prevent a ladder being fitted as there is no room for a ladder to be pushed back up inside the loft when closing the hatch.
moving the hatch isn't an option.
are there special ladders for this type of problem?

Also, how much would it be for a joiner to fit a new hatch and ladder?

thanks.

You can only cut one, and have to reinforce both cut ends by fixing them to the adjacent joists on both sides. That's how loft hatches are made.

It might be a day's work at £150 I suppose.

We had the same problem and ended up buying this ladder and not having to remove any joists - it basically sits on the hatch and needs barely any clearance above. I would definitely recommend it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Telesteps-60324101-Telescopic-Mini-Ladder/dp/B000NDETVK

Like Emily we too fitted a ladder that concertina ed into the space of the hatch aperture. Still fine 22 years later.

emily I had thought about something like that but couldn't find one anywhere. have you just got the normal sized hatch and how does your hatch open?

meant to say as well the beams/rafters (?) that support the roof are in the way of a normal loft ladder too. Would the telescopic one still be suitable?

We've got a small hatch 520 x 600 that pulls downwards, and the ladder just rests completely on the hatch. The roof is a trussed roof so just a mass of beams and rafters etc. These are the specs of the ladder, we've got the mini one.

www.telesteps.se/uploads/tx_nycat/Installation_instructions_on_Loft_ladders_05.pdf

By the way, the "easy to install - only 6 screws" part is a slight exaggeration!

most loft hatches have to be pushed up from underneath and moved go one side to allow access.

When you have a telescopic ladder fitted you have to modify the loft hatch so it hinges downwards from its frame in the hall ceiling. To close it you push it upwards and secure it.

The loft ladder, when stored, lies along the rafters