How Much Are Loft Ladders?
The average cost of installing a loft ladder is around £285-£500. This price includes both the labour and the material costs.
Despite the fact that in most houses, there is an access point/hatch to a loft or attic space, getting up there isn't always so easy.
This is where a loft ladder comes into play. Available types vary, between a specially and conveniently fitted ladder that's extendable and retractable, a foldable ladder, and a telescopic ladder, to name a few.
OK, let's get back to the how much it all costs...
There are several things that can affect the cost however, including the type of ladder, the materials used, and the difficulty of the job.
If you plan to use your loft ladder often, you'll need something sturdy and long-lasting, something more than your basic model types
If you need to install a new hatch at the same time, then the costs may end up being around £500-£750.
Loft Ladder Prices
Below is a list of the different prices that you can expect for a loft ladder installation:
| Job | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Loft ladder fitted into an existing hatch | £180-£500 |
| Loft hatch with ladder installation | £300-£600 |
| Aluminium loft ladder installation with hatch | £320-£700 |
| Wooden hatch and ladder installation | 250-£750 |
| Concertina loft ladder installation | £280-£600 |
| Telescopic loft ladder installation | £320-£600 |
- How Much Are Loft Ladders?
- What are the Supply Costs of a Loft Ladder Installation?
- What are the Additional Costs of a Loft Ladder Installation?
- Tradesmen Costs for Fitting a Loft Ladder
- How Long Does It Take to Install a Loft Ladder?
- Types of Loft Ladder
- Benefits of a Loft Ladder
- How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Loft Ladder?
- FAQs
- Sources
What are the Supply Costs of a Loft Ladder Installation?
If you are confident with your DIY skills, then you may be able to install the loft ladder yourself. This means that you can save on the costs of labour. However, you will need to buy the loft ladder itself.
There are several different types of loft ladders, so the costs may vary. The table below shows the prices that you can expect when buying different types of loft ladders:
| Type of Loft Ladder | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Typical loft ladder without hatch | £60-£200 |
| Typical loft ladder with hatch | £180-£300 |
| Aluminium loft ladder with hatch | £200-£400 |
| Wooden loft ladder with hatch | £130-£450 |
| Concertina loft ladder | £160-£300 |
| Telescopic loft ladder | £200-£300 |
What are the Additional Costs of a Loft Ladder Installation?
When it comes to installing loft ladders, there are several additional costs that may come up. Below is a list of the additional costs that you may need to think about with this type of work:
Loft Insulation
When you get a new loft ladder installed, you may also want to complete some other work on or in your loft. The average cost of installing loft insulation is around £5-£11 per square metre. This means that it shouldn’t cost any more than around £1,250 to insulate a large loft.
Loft Conversion
Another thing that you may be considering with a new loft ladder is a loft conversion. The overall cost of a loft conversion is around £10,000-£90,000.
The price range is so wide because there are many different factors that can affect the cost, such as the type of conversion, the materials used, and any additional work involved with the conversion.
Loft Extension
A loft extension is similar to a loft conversion. If you need extra space in your loft, this is the type of work that you need. It can be quite expensive as it requires a lot of work. The average cost of a loft extension is around £40,000-£70,000. The cost will depend on the size of the extension and the materials used.
Tradesmen Costs for Fitting a Loft Ladder
If you are interested in buying the loft ladder separately, then you may be interested in the costs for the labour part of the job alone. In this section, we’ll take a look at the costs that you can expect for installing a loft ladder.
Installing a loft ladder shouldn’t take too much time, so the labour costs can end up being quite low. You can typically expect a loft ladder installation to cost around £120-£300 in labour costs. However, the price can change depending on the nature of the job and the number of contractors needed to work on the job.
If a new hatch is required with the loft ladder, this can increase the labour costs to around £170-£250 as this will take longer to complete.
If the contractor requires an extra person to help them with the installation, this may increase the costs by around £90-£150.
Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Loft Ladder?
When it comes to installing a loft ladder, you may be interested to learn how long it takes to complete the installation.
The time it takes to install a loft ladder can vary depending on the type of ladder, the difficulty of the job, and whether or not you need a new hatch installed at the same time as the ladder.
A typical loft ladder installation will usually take around 1-2 hours to complete, provided nothing goes wrong during the installation, and no additional work is needed. If a hatch needs to be installed at the same time as the ladder, this can increase the timescales to around 3-4 hours.
Types of Loft Ladder
There are four main types of loft ladders – folding, sliding, telescopic, and concertina. In this section, we will take a look at the four different types of loft ladders along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Sliding Loft Ladder Cost
A sliding loft ladder is the most basic type of loft ladder and is typically the easiest to install. These ladders are usually made with aluminium or wood, and they are typically more cost-effective than other types of ladders.
This type of loft ladder is usually around £60-£200 in price.
They are easy to use and provide simple and easy access to the loft. These loft ladders are best for lofts that aren’t accessed too often as they don’t do very well with heavy use.
Pros:
- Simple design
- Easy to use
- Easy to install
- Low cost
- Common design
Cons:
- Not great for heavy use
- Danger of the ladder falling on someone
Folding Loft Ladder Cost
A folding loft ladder is a popular design in the UK. These ladders are also available in wood or aluminium styles. Folding loft ladders can handle more weight and are also less likely to fall on your whenever you open and close the hatch.
These loft ladders are more expensive than sliding loft ladders at around £130-£200. With this in mind, it may not be worth the additional costs if the loft is very rarely used.
Pros:
- Popular design
- Safer than sliding ladders
- More durable than sliding ladders
Cons:
- More expensive than sliding ladders
Telescopic Loft Ladder Cost
A telescopic loft ladder also saves a lot of space and is very useful for those who need to access their loft regularly. These ladders also work great with a variety of ceiling openings.
They tend to be quite expensive at around £200-£300. This type of loft ladder may not be the ideal choice for people who don’t need to access their loft very often.
Pros:
- Space-saving
- Great for people who need to access the loft regularly
- Work well with a variety of ceiling openings
Cons:
- Expensive option
- Not ideal for those who don’t need to access the loft often
Concertina Loft Ladder Cost
A concertina loft ladder saves as much space as possible due to its design. They are also very lightweight and easy to use. Typically, these ladders are made from aluminium and are versatile enough to fit into just about any loft hatch or opening.
However, they are quite pricey and may not be useful if you don’t go into your loft very often. These loft ladders tend to cost around £160-£300.
Pros:
- Space-saving
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Fit into any loft hatch or opening
Cons:
- Not ideal for those who don’t visit the loft often
- More expensive than other ladder types
Benefits of a Loft Ladder
There are several benefits of installing a loft ladder in your home. Below is a list of the main advantages of this type of work:
Convenience and Functionality
The convenience of a loft ladder is one of the biggest advantages. While any other ladder may work just fine, having the loft ladder right there ready every time you want to go up into the loft is a huge advantage.
Portable ladders may be dangerous if you have to keep manoeuvring them around the home. A loft ladder prevents that problem and provides fast access to the loft when you need it.
Safety
Loft ladders are much safer than freestanding ladders. They are also much simpler to use and a lot more stable. Accessing your loft can be a risky task if you don’t have the right equipment. General purpose ladders can be useful, however, they are nowhere near as safe as a stable loft ladder.
Saves Time
If you have important utilities in the loft, such as the boiler or meter, then having a good loft ladder can be very beneficial. A loft ladder provides you with very fast access to the loft whenever you need it.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Loft Ladder?
There are several reasons why you may want to remove your existing loft ladder. These can include if you are closing off the loft space or if you are removing an old ladder to replace it with a new one.
When it comes to removing a loft ladder, you can expect to pay around £100-£200 for this work. You may also choose to remove an old ladder in the process of installing a new one.
If so, you can expect to pay around £200-£600 for this type of work depending on the type of loft ladder and the difficulty of the job.
Most companies will take care of the waste removal for you. However, if you have to remove the waste yourself, this could cost around £60-£100 depending on the size and type of the loft ladder.
FAQs
Q: What is the best loft ladder to buy?
A: This will depend on several factors, including the loft space, how often you use your loft, and your budget. In terms of safety, a folding ladder is considered to be the best loft ladder to buy.
Q: Can you build a wooden loft ladder?
A: It is possible to build a wooden loft ladder. You will need to measure the hatch and the gap between the loft and the floor. Building a loft ladder is quite simple and can be done as a DIY job, however, you will need to ensure it is strong enough to hold your weight.
Q: What angle should the loft ladder be?
A: A loft ladder is usually around 61 degrees. This ensures that the ladder is not too steep. However, loft ladders can vary in steepness, and it will often depend on how far the hatch is from the floor.
Q: When replacing a loft ladder, do I need to buy a new hatch as well?
A: This is not always necessary. Most loft hatches work just fine with any type of loft ladder, so there’s no need to replace the old one if it is in good condition.
Q: Which material is best for a loft ladder, metal or timber?
A: This is completely down to personal taste. Metal ladders can often be quite noisy, however, they are very durable and sturdy. Many people prefer the appearance and the feeling of wooden loft ladders, although they can be more expensive.
However, wooden loft ladders do tend to be quieter and more comfortable to use. Therefore, the choice is completely down to personal taste.
Sources
- https://www.brownsladders.co.uk/blog/advantages-of-loft-ladders
- https://www.ladderstore.com/choosing_loft_ladders
- https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/loft-ladder-buying-guide/CC_npcart_400004.art
