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Home Repair hallway

Attic Stairs/Ladder Replacement

4 years ago

We need to have our broken aluminum attic ladder/stairs replaced with a new set. Went to Lowes and their installer took a week to contact us, told us it would be a standard $230 installation fee plus some minor amount for shims and trim as the opening aleady there is the same size as the new ladder, standard 22.5" x 54". A week later when he finally submitted his quote to Lowe's he added an additional $200 for materials on top of a $290 install fee. Should I be looking for a carpenter or a handyman instead? I don't know what catergory to look under. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Build Beautiful
4 years ago
Hello macawmom ,

Add-on's & Hidden fees are the go-to of professionals in this field, unfortunately. Right after they talk down to you.

Logistically the big-box store & their installer should give you the lowest price. Call them back and ask for an itemized contract. How much for the ladder, how much on incidental materials, how much for labor and don't forget to ask for the Start & Finish date. Give them a down payment and only pay in full when they hit those dates. Otherwise they'll add on a bunch of BS, and drag it out for who-knows-how-long and add Labor on top of it.

Once you have an itemized contract (if a big-box can't provide one, something is wrong) - then you can call some local handymen, carpenters & use that as your baseline to get the best price.

As far as categories here on Houzz.... Let's be honest - this is a high-end place with high-end people charging high-end prices. What you're doing is relatively simple. Ask some neighbors for reco's, or just google search people in your area and make sure they have a website or photos they can send you of their work.

Hope that helps. Feel free to contact me with any other questions, I give free 15 min. consultations.

-frank
macawmom
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know the add-ons are ridiculous for this fairly straightforward ladder replacement in the exact same place and size. What I was asking is which sort of person should I be asking for a recommendation on? A handyman or a carpenter?

Thanks.
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PRO
Build Beautiful
4 years ago
macawmom ,

The terms are pretty interchangeable on basic jobs, tho, 'carpenter,' suggests a little more higher end skill & may be more focused on one thing where, 'handyman,' can have a wider range of skill. No disrespect to either or!

-f

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