Installing a Loft Hatch Cost

In this guide, we’ll look at what's involved in installing a loft hatch, what it tends to cost and will explore other related topics such as whether you can do it yourself.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Loft Hatch?

A Loft hatch is a plastic loft door that seals the gap between a room and the loft. These are frequently insulated loft hatches that are also fire-resistant for added security. In addition, they ensure that only a small amount of heat and air escapes, making the loft space completely draught-proof. In this article, we will go over the insulated loft hatch prices to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for this work.

The hatch will not only make it easier to climb up and down to the loft, but it is also a better option than installing a costly staircase to access the loft.

When not in use, it is simple to fold and store. The Hhftch is also suitable for smaller apartments or houses where a staircase would be too large. Furthermore, if you are on a tight budget, the hatch is a much cheaper option and takes less time to install than a brand-new staircase in the home.

So, what is the average loft hatch installation cost? The average cost of installing a new loft hatch and installing a loft hatch with ladder varies depending on the hatch and ladder's material and the loft hatch size. For example, drop-down installations typically cost between £160 and £955, whereas an aluminium hatch and ladder fitting can cost between £160 and £925.

A professionally installed loft hatch can be had for as little as £150. Of course, the less expensive material finishes will be used. Expect to pay around £450 - £500 on the higher end, which will usually include the cost of labour and the equipment used to design and fit the H=hatch.

The overall cost will also be determined by the level of availability to the loft, as some tradespeople may charge a premium for a more difficult job.

Loft Hatches Prices

The location of your asset will also play a role, as tradesperson rates in London are significantly higher than in the surrounding areas.

Supply Only Costs

There are many ready-made loft hatches today, so it's worth looking into these before you begin, as a ready-made solution may be the best way to go. Next, consider installing an insulated loft hatch.

Because most ready-made hatches are made to specific sizes, the size of the entrance into your loft that the hatch would then fit into will truly dictate this. If your new opening is an unusual size, a bespoke build solution may be your only option.

Likewise, you also might want to think about the sort of loft ladder you will use. But, again, we will go over the supply costs here.

To buy a small drop-down loft hatch will cost £20 to £30, a medium drop-down would cost £30 to £55, and a large drop-down loft hatch would cost you around £70 to £115.

To buy a small push-up loft hatch will cost £20 to £30, a medium push-up will cost £25 to £35, and a large push-up loft costs £70 to £85.

You will need a tape measure which will cost you around £5 - £8. The frame will be made by 'trimming' with a knife, which will cost between £2 and £15, and then lined with planed timber, which will cost between £4 and £20. You'll need 25mm MDF to size, which will cost between £20 and £50.

Each one is finished with an architrave frame, which costs £4 and £10. This could be a small flat piece of wood or decorative moulding to match the rest of the house.

To hold a hatch door closed, use a touch latch for £2 - £20 or a barrel bolt for £2 - £8.

Find Tradespeople, compare up to 3 quotes!

It's FREE and there are no obligations

Get started

Additional Costs

There are numerous tasks to complete when installing a loft hatch for the first time. Aside from the actual loft hatch installation, several other activities must be completed, and each activity has a cost.

We will go over any additional costs that you'd be aware of when installing a new roof in this section.

Boarding and Insulating a Loft

Depending on the specifics, the cost to board and insulate a loft will vary. A simple job with no complications can be completed for as little as £600. This assumes you insulate the entire loft space while only adding a small board section.

If you have a big loft space that needs to be fully boarded and there are problems, the cost will be much higher. For example, if the roof needs to be repaired, the access hatch needs to be relocated, and the electrics need to be repaired, you could be looking at costs of up to, and even more than, £4,000.

The reality in most homes is somewhere in the middle. The average cost of fully insulating and boarding your loft is around £1,500. However, because the loft hatch insulation would save you money every year, it is a worthwhile investment that will eventually pay for itself in energy savings.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of boarding and insulating a loft.

Loft Ladder Cost

The average loft ladder installation cost is somewhere between £250 and £300, including materials and labour. However, a few factors could influence the project's cost and possibly increase it. One of the most common factors, as previously stated, is the type of loft ladder. The material used is also very important.

As with many other types of ladders, those attached to a loft are typically made of wood, aluminium, or steel; each wood, for example, is generally very quiet and makes an excellent cheap loft ladder. Unfortunately, if not properly maintained, a wooden loft ladder can become infested with woodworm or other pests.

Aside from that, the job's complexity must also be considered. For example, installing a loft ladder should be straightforward, but what if a new hatch is also required? This will greatly increase costs, and you might ultimately pay between £500 - £600 to have the job done.

Because of the various factors involved, the cost of installing a loft ladder varies greatly, and it is critical to thoroughly research all relevant information before beginning the project.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of installing a loft ladder

Loft Extension

Loft extensions are like conversions in that they require several changes to the existing loft and are similarly priced. So, if you have extra space in your loft, consider building into it to add living space.

Dormer and Mansard loft extensions are among the most popular, and you can probably spend between £40,000 and £70,000.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of extending a loft.

Loft Legs Installation

Some loft legs will be required to raise the level of your loft. These are materials designed to raise the space; although the installation process isn't difficult, the Loft leg installation can range between £200 and £1200. Other factors, such as loft space and boarding, contribute to the wide price range.

Naturally, a larger space will cost more, and the loft board may dictate the number of legs required. However, you can save money by doing it yourself, and the lack of heavy equipment makes this a very appealing venture for more DIY enthusiasts.

Once the installation is complete, insulation will be required, but this should not be too expensive, and you can do it yourself or hire a local tradesperson to do it.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of installing loft legs.

Loft Conversion

A variety of factors determines the cost of loft conversion. Because it is a large project, the price ranges are quite broad. The type of loft transformation you choose will greatly impact the final cost.

The average prices for Velux loft conversions are £15,000 - £20,000. The price range for a conversion with a dormer is £30,000 - £60,000. A hip-to-gable conversion will alter the shape of your roof and will cost between £40,000 and £65,000.

The most expensive version is a Mansard loft conversion. This will alter the entire shape of your roof and will cost between £45,000 and £70,000.

When looking at these price ranges, keep in mind that the larger the size, the better the finish, and the higher up. There seem to be several choices you can make to manage your outcome with the cost. The most important step is to create a budget but then plan, plan, plan.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of converting a loft.

Painting a Room

A standard 4m by 3m room would take a couple of days to paint completely, including woodwork and coving. Outside of London, most decorators charge around £150 to £200 per day, so your total labour cost would be around £300 to £400. Adding another £50 for the paint results in a total cost of £400.

House painting quotes will assume that only minor repairs to the existing walls and woodwork are required before painting, so tiny cracks in plaster or chips in woodwork are acceptable, but large holes or crumbling plaster are not!

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of painting a bedroom.

Labour Costs and Timescales

Based on the complexity of the task, the loft hatch could be installed in as few as 2 - 4 hours or take up to a day to complete. Therefore, homeowners should get a few quotations before choosing a business to install the hatch for these purposes.

Not only to find the lowest pricing but also to choose the company that can promptly complete the installation and design aspects.

Most loft hatch specialists charge between £100 and £200 per day, but the work should take no more than 2 to 3 hours if the tradesman is simply installing a loft hatch and ladder.

Like widening the loft hatch, more difficult tasks may take four to eight hours to finish. If this is the case, a tradesman will most likely charge more and may require the services of a labourer. The job could also take longer and cost more if your loft is difficult to reach, as tradesmen seem to charge an hourly or daily rate.

Another cost-influencing factor could be carpenter's rates, usually around £200 to £250 in London. Fitting a loft ladder without modifying the hatch will take a man half a day, including picking up the new ladder; labour will cost around £100.

Hinging the cover and then installing a ladder (assuming the cover is suitable) should take your tradesperson half a day, plus a hinge kit will cost £150. Enlarging the hatch and installing a specialised hatch and wooden ladder construction will take about 1.5 days and cost £275.

Ask a Trade

Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.

Ask your question

Cost Factors of Loft Hatch Installations

As has been the case throughout this article, the loft hatch price fluctuates and is influenced by various factors. This section will look at each factor and how it affects installation costs.

Type of Loft Hatch

Two types of loft ladders can be installed: push-up and drop-down. Each of these loft hatches has its benefits and disadvantages and is formed with various materials.

As a result, the prices of these two hatches differ due to differences in materials, difficulty, durability, and usability.

The cost of replacing a loft hatch is determined by several factors, the first of which is the type of loft hatch you select, with small push up hatches costing £20 to £30, medium loft hatches costing £25 to £35 and large loft doors costing £70 to £85.

A drop-down loft hatch is another popular option, with prices ranging from £20 to £30 for a small hatch, £30 to £55 for average-sized loft hatches, and £70 to £115 for a large model.

As a result, when considering a new loft hatch, think about the type you prefer.

For instance, medium push-up loft hatches are not expensive, but they make a lot of noise, which can be annoying. Meanwhile, drop-down menus are more convenient to use, but they are more expensive.

Location

The location of your property has a significant impact on the cost of installation. Therefore, the further away you are, the pricier the project might become.

This is since many tradespeople and businesses charge from when they leave their site. So, if it takes time to get to the worksite, it'll feature in their final bill.

As a result, hiring a local tradesperson who will turn up on time is preferable. On the other hand, finding a competent expert nearby may be difficult, and you may need to pay more to get the best service.

Ease of Access

When determining the cost of loft hatch installation, the job's complexity is also considered. How simple is it to get to? And how effortless is it to get into? These are some basic questions that could add a couple of pounds to the total bill.

As a result, the cost will rise if you live in a remote area that requires drastic steps to reach.

In addition, if entry to the loft is constrained or impossible, the price will rise because a ladder will need to be installed. As a result, it is preferable to survey your surroundings while also determining whether a new hatch is required.

What's Involved in Installing a Loft Hatch?

If you want to tackle this task as a DIY project, you should know how to install a loft hatch. But, of course, the process depends on whether you already have a loft hatch or if you need to start from the beginning. Here we will go through the different loft hatch installation methods.

Making a Hatch

This is the process if a hatch is not already in your home.

1. Determine the Correct Size

The first step in installing a loft hatch is to determine the size you require to be manufactured to your specifications. Generally, you must know the size of the structural entrance (i.e., hole in the ceiling) with the existing hatch (if any) removed. Installing a large-sized loft hatch wherever available will also make it easier to store your belongings.

Make sure your structural opening is at least 7mm larger than the size of the panel and the back of your frame. For example, a 600 x 600mm panel will require a hole size of 607 x 607mm.

2. Making The Hatch

Remove your door next. You could open it up and remove the hinge system's washers and nuts. Then you must raise your door. Next, apply fire mastic to the back of the picture frame and then place it within the aperture. (Note: This is only applicable if the frame is fire rated).

3. Frame Assembly

Following that, secure the frame with appropriate fixings and holes and drill out the locking slots of a 3-way loft hatch lock shoot bolt, shape if applicable. Finally, assemble the frame in a square shape throughout its diagonals.

If it is fire-rated, fire mastic should be applied to the back faces of the frame. Remember that the sealing should be at least 5mm wider than the supporting structure.

4. Door Installation

After that, refit your door while leaving at least a 2mm gap between the frame and the door before bolting the hinge back into place.

Finally, close the leaf of the door and lock it. Cover it with scrim tape before plastering if you're using a panel with a beaded frame. However, if you choose the picture frame option, you will not need any plastering work.

Installing a New Hatch

Determine a suitable location within the roof space for a hatch; the Hatch should be sized to take two adjoining gaps between joists, so a section of one joist must be cut out. The following areas should not have a hatch installed:

• Where a strut or hanger is installed on the middle joist
• A binder
• A low collar beneath

You've probably already got a small loft hatch among two adjacent joists. Marking the removal of a joist Add twice the width of the timber (usually 50mm - 2 inches) that is used to form the new sides for the hatch to the width in the inside of the joists over two gaps - this is the length of the central joist that needs to be removed. Mark the length of the removed joist.

1. Fittings

Fit two parts of timber (25x75mm - 1x3 inch) from across the top of the joists beyond one end of the suggested opening and screw them to the three joists; this will help support the joist/ceiling while you make the hatch.

2. Creating a loft by removing a joist

Carefully cut away the centre joist - keep in mind that this will be back from the necessary edge inside the hatch on both sides of the hatch - and, if possible, leave the ceiling in place until the framework model is built. This will allow the bottom of the new timbers to be placed on the ceiling's top surface.

3. Adding a new side

Fit two pieces of rough sawn joist timber between the two joists from across sawn end of the middle one to form the two ends of the new hatch. If the ceiling is lath or plaster, you may need to scrape away some plaster from above and between the laths so the new timbers sit flush with the laths.

By measuring diagonally, ensure that the timbers shape a square - the distances must be equal.

4. Installing side timbers for a larger loft hatch

Secure the new timbers to the existing joists - these will most likely be nailed in a new house, but if the ceiling has been completed and/or decorated, it may be advisable to screw them in place to avoid potential ceiling damage caused by excessive hammering.

5. Remove ceiling

Now the frame is in place, use appropriate screws or nails to secure the ceiling to the new timbers. Next, cut back the ceiling to the frame's edges - it's best to do this from below, with any saw cuts going upwards to avoid damaging the ceiling.

6. Access to the finished loft

Remove the two support timbers that were screwed to the joists in step 3 above. The basic hatch frame is now finished.

Can I Install a Loft Hatch Myself?

Installing a loft hatch is a simple project for the do-it-yourself enthusiast with basic carpentry skills.

This job does not necessitate any complicated or costly tools, but there are some safety precautions to take to ensure your safety while performing the job and that the installation is finished properly and safely.

When installing a loft hatch yourself, keep in mind that the rafters in the roof, whether hand-cut or pre-made as a unit, are particularly developed to assist the roof's weight, not a person.

You also should stop cutting the rafters, as this may result in roof weakness, which will be costly to repair. Many companies sell loft hatches and ladders that can be installed without extensive carpentry or building knowledge.

These products include all mounting hardware and detailed instructions, ensuring a simple, low-cost installation for DIYers. DIY kits typically cost between £100 and £120 per kit and include a ladder, a trapdoor, a loft surround, and additional fittings.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Loft Hatch Installation

Installing a loft hatch is critical if you want to better use the space you already have in your home. However, when it comes to installing a hatch, you should be aware of certain building regulations that must be followed. We're looking at these regulations to ensure that you completely understand them.

Unless you can convert the loft into a living space, there are usually no building regulations or authorisations regarding the size required for a loft hatch installation.

If you apply, the cost should be around £200, though the price will depend on the scope of the job and the fees charged by your local council.

Despite the lack of loft hatch size regulations, it is recommended that your loft hatch be at least 530mm on each side to allow easy access for the homeowner and any tradesman who needs to access the loft for the boiler upkeep or damp inspections.

To avoid risk during a fire-related incident, the tradesman conducting the installation should maintain the fire rating. In addition, according to Part E regulations, loft hatches must have an acoustic level equivalent to the wall or ceiling where they are installed to block out any significant noise pollution.

Types of Loft Hatch

There are two different types of loft hatches. Here we will break them down and give you the pros and cons.

Push-Up Hatches

Push-up loft hatches are made up of a door and a frame. These work by pushing the door up or out of the way, revealing your loft entrance; however, they are not recommended when using loft ladders.

In addition, push-up hatches are ineffective because the lid sits in the frame rather than being held in place by draught seals.

This type of hatch will cost you between £20 and £85.

The main benefit of push-up models is that they are less expensive than drop-down loft hatches. They also provide a larger opening for loft ladders to be installed and more space for storing belongings.

The main downside to this type of loft hatch is that it lacks effective draught seals, making your home feel cold. This can also lead to dampness, which can start in your attic and spread throughout your home, which can be costly and damaging, especially during the colder months.

PROS

✔ Affordable

✔ Provide a larger opening

CONS

✖ Lacks effective draught seals

✖ Lead to dampness

Drop-Down Hatches

Drop-down hatches can be insulated with additional polyurethane to keep draughts out. This maximises heat retention and is ideal if you've already started a home insulation programme and/or want to go green while keeping your bills as low as possible.

Drop-down loft hatches are available in various sizes, so if you evaluate the space before purchasing, you can get the perfect fit for your loft. In addition, drop-down loft hatches are lightweight for easy manipulation and thus require little DIY skill to install; they will also come with instructions about how to do it.

These hatches are also available in various finishes and are compliant with the most recent Building Regulations.

The average cost of installing a drop-down loft hatch is between £20 and £115.

The main benefit of a drop-down loft hatch is that it is extremely simple to operate, especially on more modern models with spring-loaded catches. In addition, this feature has the advantage of having a three-point closure mechanism that allows for easy access and removal.

Drop-down loft hatches also have high-quality insulation, which keeps heat in your loft and home and lowers the risk of dampness. However, drop-down models do not provide enough space for push-up loft hatches, so you will need to lift the ladder before storing larger items in your attic.

You will also need to have used a metal pole to detach the loft door, which you must not misplace; otherwise, gaining access will be difficult.

PROS

✔ Available in different sizes

✔ Lightweight

✔ High-quality insulation

CONS

✖ Need to lift the ladder

✖ More expensive

Hiring Contractors to Install a Loft Hatch Checklist

Choosing the right professional to install a loft hatch is as important as choosing the right loft hatch. Here are the most important factors to consider if you want to hire a professional to handle the job.

• Check to see if the professional specialises in loft hatches
• Ascertain that the professional has the necessary qualifications
• When in question, hire a pro from a specialised website because the contractors featured on certain platforms are typically vetted
• An experienced professional may be more expensive, but it is always worthwhile
• You can check the feedback from customers for any professional you hire to guarantee the best contractor available

FAQs

Sources

https://www.diydata.com/carpentry/loft_hatch/loft_hatch.php
https://www.diy.com/departments/tools-equipment/hand-tools/measures-levels/tape-measures/DIY623239.cat#icamp=SRD_Tools&Equipment_TapeMeasures_L5
https://www.loftcentre.co.uk/blog/choose-best-loft-hatch