Loft ladder and boarding for attic

Nynaeve

I wanted to see what people thought about this quote as there don't seem to be many businesses offering a loft ladder service in my area, so I might have to go further afield or perhaps bring in a non specialist for a 2nd quote.


We've been quoted £360 for
- PVC hatch
- 3 part loft ladder
- 26sq ft raised boarding in the attic.
- quote includes fitting of all the above, plus VAT.


Sound reasonable?


Also, the reason we're thinking of having this work done is because we are having a combi boiler fitted and our boiler man has suggested putting it in the attic. I'd not considered this before, but on the face of it seems a good idea. We free up the boiler cupboard, it will be at the opposite end of the house so less noise and I believe the piping is easier to sort.


Can anyone in the know share their thoughts?

ilikewatch

It sounds a little bit steep if it's a straightforward job - no more than £150 for materials, so £200+ for half a days labour? I guess if you're down south or they've got to travel a fair distance that might be the going rate. Are you sure it's just 26 square feet of boarding? That doesn't sound like much, even boarding half the loft in my 2 up 2 down terrace must have been more like 140 square feet.

If there's no electrics being installed/modified and it's a straightforward job I'd get a quote from a local "handyman" or similar.

Nynaeve

We are in the midlands. The loft is already part boarded, and I've asked for just the section to be done which will provide access to where the boiler is going. My written quote definitely says 26sq ft.


There is already a light in the loft and no further electrical work to consider.


The only slight complication with the job is the roof struts - they partially obstruct the area where you would get off the ladder, but this isn't a major problem as far as I understand.


I wasn't sure if a handyman would be able to do this sort of work, but I'll have a ring round.

Doozergirl

I don't think it's expensive at all. Half a day, really? To organise it, buy it, make the hatch fit, fit the ladder, get the boards up there and then fit them. Half a day is a bit ambitious. I certainly wouldn't quote based on that.

ilikewatch

Doozergirl wrote: »

I don't think it's expensive at all. Half a day, really? To organise it, buy it, make the hatch fit, fit the ladder, get the boards up there and then fit them. Half a day is a bit ambitious. I certainly wouldn't quote based on that.

The "loft specialist" who my mum used replaced the hatch, fitted a ladder, cross battened the existing joists, fitted extra insulation and fitted 160 square feet of boards in just over 3 hours. This was all made possible because it's a pretty new house, everything is standard sizes and he was able to use standard 8' × 2' boards - I'm sure if the job wasn't straightforward it could have taken a lot longer.

Edit - checked with mum, this was 2 years ago in the East Midlands (Lincolnshire), it was only a 2 section Abru ladder, the original estimate was for "about £280" but on the day the guy asked for £250.

gingernut352000

3 part ladder circumstances £80 26SQFT IS ABOUT 2.5SQM 3 packs of loft chipboard at £8 a pack loft hatch has got to be what £30 say a £10 for consumables screws etc

So as others say rest is labour and the vat seems reasonable but I would Def get another quote.

Boiler in loft seems odd to me but if that is plumbers recommendation then so be it but with out doubt you should consider !Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so boiler can be isolated without gaining access to roof space in case of emergency I would also consider smoke and carbon monoxide detection

Nynaeve

gingernut352000 wrote: »

Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so boiler can be isolated without gaining access to roof space in case of emergency I would also consider smoke and carbon monoxide detection

Thank you, I hadn't considered this safety aspect. I will check with my tradesman about this.

Annie1960

When viewing properties to buy over the past months, I walked away from any that had the boiler in the loft. It is very difficult to access unless you are young and fit, and with a combi boiler in particular you need to keep an eye on the pressure needle - impossible for me if it was in the loft.

I think it's a crazy idea putting a boiler in the loft, but ultimately it's a subjective decision.

greenface

gingernut352000 wrote: »

3 part ladder circumstances £80 26SQFT IS ABOUT 2.5SQM 3 packs of loft chipboard at £8 a pack loft hatch has got to be what £30 say a £10 for consumables screws etc

So as others say rest is labour and the vat seems reasonable but I would Def get another quote.

Boiler in loft seems odd to me but if that is plumbers recommendation then so be it but with out doubt you should consider !Gas, water, and electrical isolation points should be provided outside of the roof space so boiler can be isolated without gaining access to roof space in case of emergency I would also consider smoke and carbon monoxide detection

one pack of 3 . 2ft x 4ft boards is 24sqft. very little to fit . if its already boarded use ply . its stronger and water resisted