When is a hole a loft hatch?

veryconfused_2

My builder has recently "finished" an extension on our house. He has left a rectangular hole in the upstairs ceiling which i thought was going to be a loft hatch. Turns out I have to pay the carpenter to return for a day to finish this off as a loft hatch is an extra expense or alternatively they can come and plaster over the area for free. Two questions - is it usual to have a loft with no access at all and how much would be reasonable to pay someone for this work?

Thanks

Doozergirl

I don't think you need me to tell you that a loft with no access isn't exactly a selling point

Do you have your original quote? Hopefully there'll be something about making good the loft access, but if there isn't, you can try and knock him down, or last resort suggest you pay the chippie his day fee directly, cutting out the builder's 'cut'.

The number of flounces our builder did when we had to use one beat me hands down. And I can flounce

nelly_2

1st off it should have a door what sort of !!!!!! doesnt finish a job off like that?

Screwfix do a 'all in one' loft hatch that is fixed in with 6/8 screws it is in plastic but looks the part and is brilliant.

This picture doesnt really do it justice it looka lot better.

Debt_Free_Chick

hhhmmmmm...... I think some of the criticism might be a little unfair. Did you discuss/agree what kind of hatch it would be?

If the builder was to fit loft ladders, I would have thought that would have been agreed or at least discussed. Anyway, they are a relatively easy DIY job, but there are a number of different options, so I'm not entirely surprised. The builder seems to have created the "access" ready for you to install your own door, which would be part of the ladder pack. Integral ladders/access door can be had for a couple of hundred quid.

HTH

veryconfused_2

Thanks for your replies.

The builder always knew I wanted access to the loft as we discussed how I was going to get everything up there. It has been left as just a hole - unfinished - no edging or anything. I thought they would finish off the edges and put a piece of wood or something in the hole. I was not expecting a hinged hatch or loft ladder or anything else.

Apparently it's against building regs to leave a hole so I was going to knock an amount of the final bill for fixing it.

veryconfused_2

Just to let Nelly know - I'm going to order that loft hatch from Screwfix.

Thanks!

skintchick

I think it's shoddy work too. They should have finished it of with some skirting-type stuff and put a lump of wood on top (if you see what I mean)

weekendwarrior

This is one job that is not difficult- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/WOODWORKING_MAKING_A_LOFT_HATCH.htm

But as nelly has pointed out you can get purpose made plastic ones.