Loft Ladder Installation Cost

How Much to Fit a Loft Ladder?

The average material cost of installing loft ladders will first depend on what type of ladder you want installed.

The types of loft ladders available will fall into two broad categories: sliding loft ladders and folding loft ladders. Loft ladders can be made from wood, aluminium or even steel.

Aluminium ladders are sturdy and durable, although noisy, and do not look as aesthetically appealing. A wooden loft ladder can cost around £150 to £250 depending on quality. Metal loft ladders are cheaper costing around £75 to £150.

The average joiner will usually charge around £150 to £200 per day. Installing solely a loft ladder will take a couple of hours, whereas a loft ladder installation with the loft hatch being increased will take up to a day's work.

Loft Ladder Installation Prices

Below are some estimated costs of hiring a specialist to install a loft ladder:

Labour Cost to Install Loft Ladders in 2025

Labour prices will affect the overall loft ladder installation cost, and these can vary depending on several factors.

When you're getting quotes, bear the following considerations in mind:

• Your location in the UK will be a major factor, with labour costs in London and the South East higher than elsewhere.
• There will often be a minimum charge if the job doesn't take too long.
• It can be worthwhile combining other joinery tasks in one visit.

If you're looking at installing a loft hatch as well as a loft ladder, this will increase the labour costs due to the additional time it will take. The tradesman may also need to trim or modify joists, incurring further labour costs.

You may also want to add handrails or guardrails to the loft ladder to improve safety.

Make sure to discuss these options before you get your loft ladders fitted to ensure you know what you're paying for.

How Long Does it Take to Install Loft Ladders?

It should only take 1 to 2 hours to fit a loft ladder.

For loft hatch installation, it'll be closer to a full workday. This may extend further if extra work to the joists is required.

Why Install a Loft Ladder?

Installing a loft ladder can give you a safe way of accessing your loft.

This is important if you store items in the loft already or if you'd like to in future. Loft spaces are a great place to store things that aren't used very regularly but you still want to keep such as Christmas decorations or summer garden toys.

If a loft doesn't have a ladder installed you might encounter the following issues:

• Difficulty accessing without stepladders or risky methods such as standing on chairs.
• Reluctance to use the loft due to access issues.
• Reduced storage space across the home.

Fitting a loft ladder is a straightforward solution and can be a cheap yet effective home upgrade.

Replacing a Loft Ladder

Some lofts may already have a ladder fitted but there are several reasons you might replace it:

• If the ladder is damaged beyond repair.
• If the cost to repair the ladder is too expensive.
• If the ladder doesn't fit in with your home's aesthetic.
• If you want a sturdier way of accessing the loft.
• If you want a more lightweight loft ladder.
• If you're getting a new loft hatch and want to combine jobs.

The cost of replacing a loft ladder can be cheaper than installing a new one if you're swapping like-for-like and no additional work needs to be done.

Access to the Loft Space

Loft hatches in older properties tend to be fairly small (typically the width between two roof rafters) as in older properties there was really no need envisioned for easy access to the loft space.

Today, access to the roof space is needed for insulation to be fitted and access to water tanks, plus with space being a premium in modern homes, the loft space can offer useful additional storage space for lightweight items. Even if you don't need a loft ladder, having an appropriate loft hatch makes it much easier to store items in the loft space.

If you need your loft space to function as additional storage but currently just have a small loft hatch, then getting a decent-sized loft hatch fitted with a safe loft ladder will make things much easier.

Also, if the loft is not already boarded out for use as storage then it makes perfect sense to have this job done at the same time so you can more effectively use the loft space to store items safely.

However, you should ensure that the loft insulation is attended to first of all, if you do not currently have at least 150mm of modern insulation then get it done to save energy and reduce your fuel bills.

Once the loft insulation is in place you can board the loft out using special insulation boards which are designed to fit safely on top of the insulation so can be used to store heavier items.

Can I Install a Loft Ladder Myself?

If you are thinking about adding a loft hatch and ladder as a DIY project, remember that the rafters are specifically designed to support the weight of the roof.

If you cut into them, then you could weaken the roof. If you are in any doubt whatsoever about this type of job, then you need to consult a professional. Also when working in the loft you need to take great care as the ceiling is not designed to take your weight.

If you insist on going the DIY route, remember that loft ladders need to be installed running along the joists and not across them.

You can also now buy loft hatches and ladders in kit form so the installation can be completed without having expert building knowledge. These products come with all the necessary mounting materials and full instructions, offering a low-cost installation alternative for competent DIY enthusiasts.

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