Written by Micky Down, Micky's Property Services ·
Why there is no single price
Two houses on the same street can need very different work. In one, a ladder drops straight into an existing opening of the right size. In the next, the hatch is too small, sits in an awkward spot over the stairs or has a flimsy board for a lid. The ladder itself might be identical, but the amount of carpentry around it is not.
So rather than quoting a figure, this guide sets out what we look at, so you can think about your own loft before asking for a quote.
Ladder type
Folding timber ladders come in sections that fold up onto the back of the hatch door. They feel solid underfoot, but they need enough swing room on the landing to open out.
Sliding aluminium ladders have sections that slide over one another and push up into the loft. They are lighter and suit openings where there is little space to unfold a ladder below.
Concertina ladders fold up like a pantograph and take up the least space in the loft, which helps where headroom above the hatch is tight. Each type has its own size limits, so the right choice depends on your measurements as much as personal preference.
The hatch opening
Every ladder needs a minimum opening, and older hatches are often smaller than modern ladders expect. If yours is big enough, fitting is mostly a matter of fixing the frame, door and ladder. If not, the opening has to be made larger.
Enlarging a hatch can mean cutting one or more ceiling joists and trimming the opening with new timbers to carry the load around it. That needs care, because joists hold up the ceiling and sometimes support other parts of the roof structure. It is not something to cut first and think about later. Where the work affects structure, it may also need to meet building regulations, which is worth checking for your property.
A new insulated hatch door is often fitted at the same time. An old loose panel lets warm air into the loft, and a properly fitted, draught-sealed hatch door is a sensible upgrade while the opening is being worked on.
Ceiling height and landing space
Loft ladders are made for a range of floor to ceiling heights. A very low or unusually tall landing can narrow the choice of ladder. The space below matters too: the ladder needs somewhere to land that is clear of the top of the stairs, doors and radiators, with room to stand safely at the bottom.
Extras that change the job
Many people want more than a ladder. Boarding a small storage area near the hatch gives somewhere safe to put boxes. A light in the loft avoids climbing up with a torch. A handrail at the top makes stepping off the ladder easier. Each adds to the work, so mention anything like this when asking for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
Before you call, measure the length and width of the hatch opening and the height from the landing floor to the ceiling. Take a photo of the hatch from below and, if you can do so safely, the area around it from inside the loft. That gives a good starting point, and a visit confirms the details.
Our loft hatches and ladders page explains the fitting work in more detail, and you can see the rest of our carpentry services too. For another storage job, the fitted wardrobes cost guide covers what affects that price. Contact us or call 07735 852901 for a free quote.