Enlarging existing loft hatch with new door

ric1982

Hi,

We have just been quoted £180.00 for enlarging existing hatch to 600 mm x 900 mm (currently its 600 mm x 600 mm) and installing custom made new door (they said it will be made on site).

I already have bought a aluminium three piece ladder which I intent to install myself after the door is installed.

Does the price sounds reasonable ?
Which is better hatch door , custom timber or readymade uPVC ?
What should be ideal size for the hatch so it's easy to change door in future without cutting ceiling ?

Thanks

dogshome

1) The price seems reasonable - Full days work and materials


2) The ready made plastic doors I've seen on new builds are a pain in the b*m - The door has no hinges and must be lifted and then pushed aside, and to relocate it means standing on a chair or step ladder, Plus it will put the quoted price up


3) Best is a plywood door, (15/18mm thick), hinged to drop down behind the ladder position, with a thin doorstop section faced with draught excluder for it to close onto, and a locking set that includes a reach pole and slotted retaining lock

Robin9

dogshome wrote: »

1)

3) Best is a plywood door, (15/18mm thick), hinged to drop down behind the ladder position, with a thin doorstop section faced with draught excluder for it to close onto, and a locking set that includes a reach pole and slotted retaining lock

That's what I did - the extra 300mm kaes life so much easier.

My "door" is covered with insulation - I think called "Space Blanket"

Gloomendoom

Seems reasonable to me. I have done the same job myself and it took all day.

kerri_gt

Seems reasonable, do you think it would be worth asking if there's any chance they could fit the ladder whilst they're up there?

ric1982

Thanks everyone for their responses.
@kerri gt, I have asked them about ladder and they have installed for me for free!

@dogshome you were right about plywood door. It definitely looks better then pvc!

Also I ended up enlarging 1200mm x 600 mm which gives us plenty of space. Total was £180 (Hatch) + £50 (Ladder from Aldi) = £230.00 .

kerri_gt

ric1982 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for their responses.
@kerri gt, I have asked them about ladder and they have installed for me for free!

@dogshome you were right about plywood door. It definitely looks better then pvc!

Also I ended up enlarging 1200mm x 600 mm which gives us plenty of space. Total was £180 (Hatch) + £50 (Ladder from Aldi) = £230.00 .

Thanks for the update, that was good of them to install the ladder, I expect it didn't take long with them having their tools out and already fitting the hatch, asking nicely, a cuppa and some biccies goes a long way

markin

What size did the Ladder instructions say it needed?

ric1982

markin wrote: »

What size did the Ladder instructions say it needed?

I am not sure but it was this ladder https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-folding-loft-ladder/p/073539256049600 .

The hatch was 1200 x 600 mm.