Attic Stairs

[dc11257]

What would be a reasonable price to pay for the installation of aluminum stairs into the attic?

Also, any recommendations?

[DangeloInspections]

I believe the cost is about in the $300-$325 range. Tim Miller, known as Tim the tool man is well known for doing this, that and epoxy garage coating is his main business.

Frank

[baustgen]

M and M Services did a great job for me. Do not remember price but it was cheapest at the time.

[golfing eagles]

Another vote for Tim Miller. Great job, cost $285. Remember to get aluminum stairs, wood will eventually warp in the heat

[villagetinker]

I agree with the above prices, I installed my own ($175) but this is a 2 person job, requires 2 ladders and some time, and definitely not a project to be done in the summer time.

[Baltimore Guy]

Go with tim miller

[Challenger]

Go with tim miller

Another "Baltimore Guy" (Hamilton) agress: Tim Miller
Quality Work
Fair Price

[mrdarcy]

My handyman installed aluminum attic stairs for me yesterday. The cost, which included the stairs, was $300.

[DangeloInspections]

As a person who uses these stairs everyday doing inspections, please make sure you install these stairs going the right way for headroom. I see too many steps installed "backwards" so when you climb up them your head goes towards the sloping roof instead of towards the higher portion of the attic.

This is hard to explain, but once you look through the opening consider which way the stairs will go. One way is usually much more open and easier than the other way. Too many folks only think of where the bottom of the steps are going to land or where the light switch is and not where the top of the steps lead you. I actually burned my arm the a couple of months ago on a bare attic light bulb from steps installed the wrong way in a courtyard villa.....

Frank

[EnglishJW]

We have the same question as the OP - thanks to everyone who has answered.

[Phanatic Luvr]

And to make life just a bit easier .... Tim Miller's phone # is (352) 217-0561.
Does a great job.

[dc11257]

Thanks all for your comments. Sounds like Tim is the man.

[Chatbrat]

I use Rich, like the others he based installed attic stairs for us.Asked him what his current price is is $300.00

Rich-- a Village resident 973-715-3363

He will help you with anything you need in the future

[dsbouley]

As a person who uses these stairs everyday doing inspections, please make sure you install these stairs going the right way for headroom. I see too many steps installed "backwards" so when you climb up them your head goes towards the sloping roof instead of towards the higher portion of the attic.

This is hard to explain, but once you look through the opening consider which way the stairs will go. One way is usually much more open and easier than the other way. Too many folks only think of where the bottom of the steps are going to land or where the light switch is and not where the top of the steps lead you. I actually burned my arm the a couple of months ago on a bare attic light bulb from steps installed the wrong way in a courtyard villa.....

Frank
Good point. Mine are installed backwards like you described but prefer it that way so I don't have to move my car every time I use it. It opens on the side I put the cart and the entry door to the house.

[schrdr]

Did any of you have attic floor boards put down to store stuff on?

[dbussone]

Did any of you have attic floor boards put down to store stuff on?


Ours were installed when we bought the home. Covered the entire area over the garage.

[schrdr]

When you had your stairs installed, did he use the drywall to cover the opening to retain the fire integrity of the garage?

Did the prices quoted above include any floor boards in the attic?

Thanks

[villagetinker]

IMHO, I do not think you can cover with drywall. The pull down stairs I have seen (and installed) are designed to be flush with the existing ceiling. Also, the springs are designed for the weight of the stairs and the wood door. I suspect the additional weight would cause the door to not close properly.
You MAY be able to install a thin piece of sheet metal (stainless steel would be my preference, as thin as you can get it) to get some level of fire proofing. Aluminum would probably melt too soon.
Hope this helps.

[DangeloInspections]

This fireproofing question has come up many times before here. As a retired career firefighter I totally understand the concern.

They DO make fire rated attic stairs. They cost quite a bit more, and honestly, doing about 400 inspections a year in The Villages, I have yet to see one.

The garage ceiling is typically 5/8 inch firecode drywall.....however I often find that the garage entryway, (hatch) is only 1/2 inch drywall. Also, with plastic receptacles and outlet covers in the ceiling, etc, I would consider the ceiling's fire resistance already compromised.

Frank

[John_W]

Did any of you have attic floor boards put down to store stuff on?

Tim "the toolman" Miller also did ours in 2011 and his installation also included plywood flooring around the opening so you can put quite a few boxes, suit cases, etc up in the attic. He will not do insulation, so if you want that, put some batts down yourself before Tim arrives. When he did ours, his price was $190 for wood steps or $290 for aluminum, both included installation and attic flooring.

Tim will also will do a lot of other jobs. He completely doubled the size of our master walk-in closet. He took the existing wire shelving and lowered them about a foot and installed a second duplicate set about 2 feet above the original level. So we have double the space, he provided all the shelving, patched and painted all the holes, everything was $150 and he even has his own helper. We had him also install cabinet pulls on all our kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.

That's why this website is so valuable. Tim is usually booked up a week or two in advance, but since we knew our closing date, I called Tim from Baltimore and had him scheduled to do our house before we even moved in. We did this also with the painter, had the entire inside painted before our furniture arrived. For that, search Investment Painters, you will see hundreds of recommendations.

[coconutmama]

Another vote for M & M. It was $250.00 about 2 years ago.

[tomwed]

I think I have a better solution that hardly cost anything. If you pm I'll share it.