This question has been one that has come up quite a bit, and it seems that while people are performing loft additions to their homes, that they are having problems finding a good quality ladder that they can use, and trust to have installed. The main issue comes from these types of ladders being small, but also because the height of the lofted area is unreachable without one. Many homeowners are finding themselves confused about where to begin looking for one, or how much they should spend on one. Hopefully, we can clear a few things up for you.
First, you are going to want to obviously avoid using a construction company, or carpenter for these types of jobs. While it is true that you may be able to find one willing to do the job, most are going to simply tell you that it is too small, and not really worth their time. You may still be able to find a handyman that would be willing to build one for you, but you must understand that it is going to cost substantially more then if you were to purchase a ladder that was already built. If you must go with a carpenter, make sure to shop around to ensure that you get the best deal.
Next, because the lofted area is raised off of the ground, you are going to have to take accurate measurements to ensure exactly the length of wooden loft ladders you are going to have to be looking for. If space is an issue, you can even think about buying a telescopic loft ladder that you can store when it is not being used. These types of ladders are perfect when you have little ones running around that should not have access to the loft. Electric loft ladders operate in a very similar fashion, by providing you access when you need it, and being stored when not in use.
Once you have determined which type of loft ladders you are going to need, you want to set a budget for yourself. Make sure that you stick to it, because remodeling and addition projects can easily go well over what you intended to spend. Wooden loft ladders will probably be your cheapest choice, while aluminium loft ladders, wooden, and electric will end up costing you quite a bit more. Ensure that whatever company or carpenter you are purchasing the ladder from, that they are putting out high quality products. Having a loft ladder collapse on you would be devastating, and for this reason alone, you should avoid trying to pinch pennies on the purchase of one.
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