Loft boarding

Takshaka

I want the loft in the house I just bought to be boarded for storage, the current hatch is too small for access and is located in a bathroom so ideally a new hatch would be located on the landing. This is a 2 bed terraced house in the S.Wales valleys, the area of the loft is about 26 sq metres.
I am struggling to find anyone to do the work at a reasonable price - so far the estimates range from £1500 - £4000, I was expecting around £750 - £1000.

Am I being unrealistic with my target price? If not, where should I be looking to find someone competent who will do the work at a reasonable price?
I am only wanting to be able to use the area for storage, it's not a large area and at the prices I have been quoting so far it's really not going to be cost effective.

AndyMc.....

There maybe be a reason why it's expensive at this time of year. It's hot, it's dirty and it's in a confined area. I did mine in winter wearing shorts and a t shirt, when I took rubbish outside you could see the steam coming off me.

I can't see it being high on anyone's want to do list unless they have no work on.

Takshaka

Now that is an angle I hadn't considered!

Norman_Castle

I've widened and fitted a few hatches and boarded lofts. Unless there's specific problems with your loft £4000 is extortion.
Some companies specialise in fitting loft ladders.


http://loftspacesolutionsltd.co.uk/pricing/

JuzaMum

I had my loft insulation topped up and the loft boarded a few years ago. The joists needed raising to fit in the extra insulation. The chap who did the work provided the boards and wood to raise the joists and I provided the insulation. This cost £800 for an area about 5m x 8m. We already had the hatch and ladder so I have no idea what that would cost. I am in Bournemouth.

PasturesNew

I've always been somebody that thinks nothing should go in a loft as it's inaccessible and if outside space isn't an issue it's cheaper/better to have something in the garden for all that stuff. e.g. a secure/lined small container or well insulated shed, both of which can have a solid lock.

Foot by foot cheaper and more accessible.

casper_g

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've always been somebody that thinks nothing should go in a loft as it's inaccessible and if outside space isn't an issue it's cheaper/better to have something in the garden for all that stuff. e.g. a secure/lined small container or well insulated shed, both of which can have a solid lock.

Foot by foot cheaper and more accessible.

I use my loft to store light-weight items, things like Christmas decorations and cardboard moving boxes (you never know when they'll come in useful!) and the floor area is large enough to keep them all in a single layer with plenty of access space between. It might be easier to reach the door of a shed than the loft hatch, but unless the shed is very large indeed I'd have to move most of the boxes to get to the one I need. I think the stored boxes are actually easier to access in the loft, even when I have a decent-sized garden with room for a shed.

As to cheaper, if you know where I can get a large, solid, lined/insulated storage shed, including constructing a solid base for less than the £250 it cost me to have the loft boarded out for storage then I'll be very grateful for the tip-off.

The final issue is, of course, that a 2-bed terraced house is highly unlikely to have the size of garden where a large storage shed would fit without sacrificing pretty much the entire outside space. I suppose you can always have a barbecue in the loft, and let the kids play up there instead....

Norman_Castle

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've always been somebody that thinks nothing should go in a loft as it's inaccessible and if outside space isn't an issue it's cheaper/better to have something in the garden for all that stuff. e.g. a secure/lined small container or well insulated shed, both of which can have a solid lock.

Foot by foot cheaper and more accessible.

I bought a drop down wooden ladder and hatch for £50 and fitted it myself. The loft is being boarded in stages based on skip diving finds. The floor area is about 18 foot square.
With a proper hatch and ladder access is easy. The hatch is in my kitchen and I often get something out of the loft while watching the news and cooking.

If the space is there why not use it? In an ideal world a usable loft and shed is the ideal solution (for storing tat that should go to the tip ).