Garage Stairs
 

I’m finally getting around to installing garage stairs. Any recommendations on a good reliable company to do this? Thanks!

M&M services for your basic pull down stairs or Magic Stairs for the power operated expensive ones.

+1 for Magic Stairs.

Did it myself with a kit from Lowes. About $200 plus a couple extra items so about $220.

Whoever installs it, make sure that it is securely anchored to the ceiling structure. There was an earlier thread where garage stairs appeared to be just screwed into the trim around the ceiling opening.

VERY IMPORTANT POINT not to overlook!

Use small carriage bolts if possible into the rafters, and don't skimp on them!
Have had to do this to more than one house!

My husband did ours. Kit from Lowes plus some hardware. Easy enough if you are handy.

There is a BIG difference between a pull down ladder ($$$) and the actual electrical retractable STAIRS ($$$$). Not sure which you after. If a pull down ladder access, the kits work very well. I have done this twice; I like a 2 man team as it makes the job a lot easier and quicker. Also, if you (or a handyman) are doing the READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and use the correct mounting screws. Finally, be sure to check the height of the existing ceiling and the working distance of the pull-down ladder, you will usually have the trim the last rung to get the correct fit.
The other alternative is to use the pull down ladder for access, and VERSA-LIFT for the actual packages. I do not recall if the VERSA-LIFT comes in a DIY system. I did look into these, but they did not offer a unit large enough for the containers for our Christmas tree, these are just over 4 feet long.

And don't install a pull down system like the one installed in my garage by the previous owner.
They installed it 3 feet above the garage door when the garage door is in the up position I can't pull down the ladder. :doh:

Magic Stairs See post #2and #3

Cost Difference between pull down between $300-500 depending on height of ceiling.

Majic Stairs $5000 and up, depending on ceiling height.

For us we just went down the street got a 5x10 AC storage unit. Can rent a great space for more than 8 years of the cost of electric stairs, AC a bonus. Five minutes from our house, No stairs and nothing is exposed to heat and humidity like the top of the garage.

Jim Stipes (Stipes Seamless Gutters) also does stair kits. In fact, his stair kit is much beafier than the ones you can buy to DIY. He does an excellent job of installation, at a fair price.

I can’t recommend a company for you, but I do recommend the strongest pull-down stairs you can get. Do not go with the cheapest! You really do not want to feel like the stairs are about to break—or, worse, you don’t want them to break. Similarly, don’t buy the cheapest step ladders.

Magic Stairs. We’ll worth the money, you get what you pay for.

Safety first
 

Magic Stairs is the only safe solution I am aware of for our age group. Personal experience proved the expense for this safe solution is much cheaper than the cost of injury from a fall and to keep your hands free to hold on while going up the stairs I recommend the Versilift.