Can anyone give me an estimate of this project as described? Also, anyone know of anyone good? Looking to get this done ASAP.

We are looking to install an attic door/stairs in a one story home. There is plenty of space up there, but the only current way up is through a small scuttle hole in our laundry room. We have a baby on the way in 3 months and need storage. In addition to installing the door (and foldout ladder) we need some very basic flooring like plywood up there for storage and to do basic navigation up there on.

Additionally, if we could, we have minor electrical work needing done. 2 things in particular. While up in the attic, 2 ceiling fixture installation into two bedrooms. Just the wiring and boxes is all. We can hang the fans. Lastly, our backyard flood light fixture is not working...could be simple but we need someone to take a look at it.

1/5/2009 2:23:12 PM

I would just call a few handyman businesses in the yellow pages. things are slow now so you can probably get a good turnkey price.

the plywood will cost you ~$18 each to buy, probably ~$30 each to put down
the attic pull down will cost you ~$150, maybe $150 to install
usually, running electrical boxes like that will cost ~$40 or so per box if you have the room in the panel already.

of course, all of that is usually pretty negociable, but a decent starting point.

1/5/2009 2:33:35 PM

The ladder idea is good and all....if you are a pussy.

Be a real man, do the work yourself, and put in a rope ladder and a fire pole.

1/5/2009 2:34:57 PM

pull down ladders arent exactly easy to retrofit into a ceiling. if a person isnt comfortable doing it they shouldnt.

I forgot to mention to get references and make sure whoever is doing your work has the proper insurance. NEVER PAY UPFRONT. negociate to pay for materials upon their arrival with the materials to the house.

1/5/2009 2:36:48 PM

flooring the attic will hurt the efficiency of your insulation if it is compressed at all.

also, installing technically requires re-engineering of the support beams around the hole....It's not a big deal, but a good inspector will cite that if you ever sell.

1/5/2009 2:44:53 PM

Well I think the added storage of an attic with full access would be far better than any type of re engineering citation wouldn't it?

Regardless, we need the storage badly. DaBird, what do you mean about the materials....it wasn't exactly clear. So, go with them to lowes for the materials? Wouldn't they just come up with a list once they come over to appraise the cost of the project?

1/5/2009 2:48:02 PM

I have this same problem at my house. I have a ton of storage space in the attic but only a small hole to get up there. Looking at the hole, I am not even certain I could fit through it.

1/5/2009 2:58:45 PM

how big is the hole to the attic right now?

1/5/2009 2:58:51 PM

i would buy a prefab storage building before going through the hassle youre talking about.

the little things are whats going to get you in the end-and continue with the energy lost around the door.

those things are terrible for heat loss.

1/5/2009 3:02:52 PM

like man-hole sized, only square basically.

1/5/2009 3:05:36 PM

Quote :

" Regardless, we need the storage badly. DaBird, what do you mean about the materials....it wasn't exactly clear. So, go with them to lowes for the materials? Wouldn't they just come up with a list once they come over to appraise the cost of the project?"

since you are likely going to be dealing with a 'guy and truck' type operation, he might ask for the cost of the materials up front. I was just saying dont pay for the materials until they are sitting at your house, and dont pay anything for the labor until he has actually done some work. a quick contract typed up on your computer would be good.

Grace is right about the efficiency loss. however, you can attach some insulation board to the pull down door and stuff the sides of it with the pink stuff and it will help.

1/5/2009 3:07:49 PM

that attic was probably not designed for heavy loads up there, especially since its closed off. You'll probably be fine unless the ceiling joists are over-spanned

do you have trusses, or is it stick-built (rafters and ceiling joists)?

1/5/2009 3:12:12 PM

Quote :

"I forgot to mention to get references and make sure whoever is doing your work has the proper insurance.NEVER PAY UPFRONT "

1/5/2009 3:16:26 PM

Quote :

"do you have trusses, or is it stick-built (rafters and ceiling joists)?"

I have no idea...how can I tell and what is better?

Also, when you say insurance, what exactly is it called and should most people have it?

1/5/2009 4:02:37 PM

general liability and workman's comp are the biggies.

as for stick built vs. trusses, one is not necessarily better than the other. just different. yours is probably stick built. in general, trusses will be a bunch of 2x4's attached to each other by little plates (clips) end to end.

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 4:05 PM. Reason : .]

1/5/2009 4:03:17 PM

you could easily put plywood down by yourself. that isn't difficult

1/5/2009 4:23:38 PM

its not...but if you are not comfortable doing stuff like that and someone was already going to be there doing that other work, it would be pretty cheap to get them to do it for you.

1/5/2009 4:29:25 PM