Whether in a residential or commercial space, there is nearly always a need for at least a modest stepladder around. Without it, any work you need to do above head height can be harder, and access to higher levels can even become dangerous, or outright impossible.
Nonetheless, ladders that are required for access to higher levels, such as loft spaces or mezzanines, are usually installed. This is not only for convenience, as nobody wants to have to fetch a stepladder every time they have to go up to the loft or another room, but it’s also a much safer option.
As such, we’ll be looking at how much it costs to install ladders, as well as what types of ladders are available on the market today.
Types of Ladders
The following are the different types of ladders that you can get installed.
Fixed Ladder
The name is rather self-explanatory. Nonetheless, you can usually find these types of ladders in industrial settings, such as in warehouses or industrial sites. These ladders are usually affixed to walls, or other structures such as grain silos, wind turbines etc. Of course, you can also find a lot of these fixed ladders on heavy industrial or even military vehicles. This allows easy access to areas demanding regular maintenance, inspections or access – such as water towers, for example.
You may think “Why a ladder, and not stairs”? There are several reasons why ladders are favoured over stairs in these cases:.
- Fixed ladders take up far less space, which is premium in areas like warehouses
- They cost far less and can be installed much quicker
- If there’s any reason at all that access to the floor is no longer needed, the ladder can easily be taken easi;y, unlike stairs which may just become redundant and take up space.
Loft Ladder
These ladders are explicitly designed for attics or lofts. The loft is often a massively underused space, making it a perfect place to store your things, or even use as an extra room. Getting up there is often an issue, however, as not many homes have staircases built to grant access to the loft or attic space. This is where loft ladders come in.
Loft ladders are retractable, and can be folded up and put away when not needed, making it feel as though the structure isn’t even there until you pull down the loft hatch. They are one of the few ladders that have traditionally been made of wood as a long-lasting, cost-effective option, though other ladder materials have become more commonplace.
Speciality Ladders
These ladders are a group of very specific-use ladders that are not often seen, so we have grouped them together.
- Fire Escape Ladder – These ladders are permanently bolted in areas that need an emergency escape should a fire break out. They are bolted to the outside of buildings, such as apartments or hotels, areas that no single person owns entirely. Their design is made with safety in mind. They are narrow, with safety features such as a cage to prevent falls.
- Library Ladders – Library ladders are not considered particularly contemporary, but are still used in some older public libraries and private libraries in some homes, to enable people to navigate a library’s extensive bookcases or shelving. They are often fixed upon rails that can slide from side to side easily.
- Bespoke Designs – This type of ladder is one that is specifically modified to suit the needs or aesthetic desires. For example, a luxury home where the loft needs access. The homeowner, with a lot of disposable cash and a desire to have their homemake a statement, might want a hybrid between a ladder and stairs.
Cost Breakdown by Ladder Type
The following is a breakdown of the costs associated with each ladder type.
Fixed Ladders
These ladders are typically very cost-effective, but depending on their location, there may be several things that make them more or less expensive than other fixed ladders.
- Material – Fixed ladders are typically made of steel or aluminium. Steel is durable, and is resistant to corrosion, making them good in environments with chemical hazards. Aluminium is lightweight and resists rust, which makes them fantastic for outdoor areas. Steel ladders range from £80 to £400 and aluminium ranges from £70 to £350.
- Height – Sounds obvious, but yes, the longer a ladder is, the more it’s going to cost.
- Additional Features – Features such as safety additions, like cages and fall arrest systems, will require more material as well as specialised labour. Safety features typically range from £80 to £240.
Loft Ladders
Loft Ladders require a bit more savviness when it comes to construction.
- Material – Basic loft ladders are often made of wood, since they remain indoors and are not exposed to the elements, making them a good cost-effective option. Wooden ladders are priced from between £80 to £200. Nonetheless, metal designs are also used for loft ladders. These often cost more, ranging between £160 to £400, but at the same time, they are usually more durable and have a heavy load capacity.
- Design Complexity – Adding hinges and retractability to your ladder will increase the cost. This is because the complexity requires additional specialist labour, whereas a standard ladder requires less expertise and takes less time to build.
Speciality Ladders
These are pretty design-heavy ladders, and as such, you can expect higher pricing than usual.
- Fire Escape Ladders – Fire escapes serve a vital function that can save lives in an emergency. As such, they are made of steel, perhaps the most durable of all the readily available metals, to withstand very heavy loads, rough treatment and exposure to the outside. They also tend to reach long distances, meaning they are probably priced higher than usual – usually between £240 to over £800.
- Library Ladders – There doesn’t seem to be any set standard for library ladders. This is due to them not being designed for heavy use, and having little need for materials that resist water, corrosion or other such elemental effects. Nonetheless, they are not typically cheap due to the rail system to which the ladder is affixed. Standard rail systems cost between £160 and £320, whilst most sophisticated systems could range from £400 to £1200.
- Special Designs – These are tailored to specific individual designs. As such, costs can vary wildly, and we cannot give a price. Nonetheless, the factors affecting the price are the same – material, length, design complexity and the requirements individual to the construction (such as the rail of a library ladder).
Additional Costs in the Installation Cost of Ladders
There are more things to consider when it comes to installation costs. Some that may not be due right away, for example, or conditions that your installation area may be in that require additional work.
- Maintenance – Some ladders simply require more maintenance than others. This is due to the material that the ladder is constructed out of. Over time, rain, snow, and general wear and tear might erode the ladder and its strength. Merely cleaning the ladder may not be enough. You might actually need to completely replace several components within the ladder, such as bolts, entire sections etc.
- Permits and Regulations – In the UK, you may require a permit to install fixed ladders on a building, whether that is public or commercial. It is imperative that you follow these regulations, as failure to do so could result in a fine, or perhaps even worse in some fringe cases. On top of that, you could be forced to make alterations post-installation, which could include removing the ladder entirely. This will result in many wasted costs across the board. As such, ensure that you check with your local council to confirm.
- Removal of Old Ladders – Old ladders that are fixed in place will, obviously, require removing if you are planning a new ladder to be put there. This process can be anything from unbolting, which requires special equipment, to dismantling. With specialised equipment, such as ladders on rails, there may be a much more involved process to ensure the safe removal and proper disposal of the items – especially when it comes to non-recyclable metals.
Conclusion
We hope this provides you with a proper overview of ladders and the breakdown of their costs. BPS offers excellent customer service, and some of the highest-performing, heavy load-bearing ladders on the market.
