Loft storage setup in Exeter
Professional loft storage setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Loft storage space set up properly with boarding and lighting. Turn that dark, awkward space into usable storage - perfect for moving into a smaller house and needing somewhere for all those boxes.
Gain Storage Space Instantly
Moved into a house with less cupboard space than you had before? Your loft is probably just sitting there empty (or worse, filled with the previous owner's junk). Set it up properly and you've got room for dozens of boxes.
💡 Pro tip: Get this done while you're unpacking. As you finish each room, boxes go straight into proper loft storage instead of cluttering up the spare room for the next six months.
The Difference Between Proper Setup And DIY Chaos
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ DIY Disaster |
|---|---|
| Boards on legs, insulation undisturbed | Sheets of chipboard crushing insulation |
| Actual light you can see by | Phone torch balanced precariously |
| Safe route from hatch to storage area | Balancing on joists in the dark |
| Access planned so you can actually reach things | Boxes piled at random, can't get to anything |
What's Included
🔧 Basic Loft Storage Setup
| Task | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Boarding | Sheets fitted on legs over insulation, screwed down solid |
| Lighting | Simple pull-cord light installed from existing circuit |
| Access | Clear route from hatch to storage area |
| Tidy | All offcuts removed, insulation put back neatly |
📦 End Result
- 10-15 sqm of solid storage space (expandable if needed)
- Can see what you're doing up there
- Safe to walk on and store heavy boxes
- Proper use of otherwise wasted space
Pricing Guide
| Setup Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small area + light (8-10 sqm) | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Medium area + light (12-15 sqm) | 3-3.5 hrs | £160-£185 |
| Large area + light (20+ sqm) | 4+ hrs | £210+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Doesn't include materials (boards, legs, light fitting) - I can supply these or you can buy them yourself.
Perfect For...
✅ Downsizing moves - need storage for stuff that doesn't fit
✅ Growing families - kids' old toys, baby gear, seasonal items
✅ Just moved in - unpacking and need somewhere for boxes to live
✅ Creating space - clear out bedrooms being used as dumping grounds
Why Choose Us for Loft storage setup in Exeter?
Safe boarding over joists for storage
Lighting installed so you can see
Proper access route planned
Doubles your storage space immediately
What to Expect
Step 1: Loft Check & Quote
I'll pop up into your loft, check the joists and head height, measure up what area makes sense to board, and give you a proper quote. Also advise on lighting options.
Step 2: Materials & Setup
If I'm supplying materials, I'll get them delivered. Then it's up into the loft, boards fitted on legs, lighting run and installed, everything screwed down solid.
Step 3: Ready To Use
Lighting tested, boarding solid underfoot, access route clear. You can start loading boxes up immediately. I'll take all the packaging and offcuts away.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy doing your own loft storage? Here's how to do it right:
🔧 Tools and materials needed
- Loft boarding (tongue & groove chipboard, 18-22mm thick)
- Loft legs or battens (to raise boards above insulation)
- Cordless drill/driver
- Jigsaw for cutting boards
- Light fitting and cable
- Inspection lamp for working
📐 Planning the layout
- Start near the hatch - no point boarding somewhere you can't reach
- Check joist spacing (usually 400mm or 600mm centres)
- Plan boards to land on joists properly
- Leave access to any water tanks or important pipes
✂️ Fitting boards properly
- Use loft legs to raise boards above insulation (don't squash it)
- Screw boards down to joists - don't just lay them loose
- Stagger the joints like laying flooring
- Cut neat holes around any pipes or cables
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Compressing insulation by laying boards directly on it
- Not securing boards (they shift and creak)
- Boarding over everything including tank access
- Overloading joists beyond what they're designed for
- Forgetting to add a light (working by torch is miserable)
💡 Pro trick: Before you board, take photos showing where all the pipes and cables run. When you need to lift a board in 5 years time, you'll know where to look without guessing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
📦 Planning to store heavy items? Loft joists are usually designed for light storage. A few dozen boxes is fine. Storing your entire pottery collection or gym weights isn't. I'll advise honestly on what your loft can handle.
Insulation depth: If your insulation is really thick (300mm+), standard loft legs might not be high enough. I'll check and use taller legs if needed.
Additional electrics: The basic light is run from an existing ceiling light circuit. If you want sockets up there for a dehumidifier or whatever, that's additional electrical work - different pricing.
Loft hatch upgrade: If your current hatch is tiny and awkward, might be worth upgrading it at the same time. Makes getting stuff up and down so much easier. I can do that too.
Loft ladder installation: If you're using the loft regularly, a proper pull-down ladder instead of a stepladder is worth having. Can be done as part of the same job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does loft storage setup include?
Basic boarding over the joists so you can store boxes and suitcases safely, a light fitted so you can actually see what you're doing up there, and making sure there's a clear access route from the hatch. If you want full loft boarding wall-to-wall, that's a bigger job - but this gets you usable storage space quickly.
Can you board over insulation?
Yes - I fit boards on legs that sit above your insulation, so you don't compress it (which would reduce its effectiveness). Keeps the insulation working properly while giving you a solid floor to store on.
My loft has no light at all - can you add one?
Absolutely. I'll run a simple light circuit from the nearest ceiling light, fit a pull-cord bulb holder, and suddenly you can see what you're storing instead of using your phone torch. Makes a huge difference.
How much boarding do I actually need?
Depends what you want to store. Most people get 10-15 square metres of boarding near the hatch - enough for 20-30 storage boxes. I can do more if needed, but usually a decent area near the access is enough.
Is my loft suitable for storage?
Most lofts are fine for light storage (boxes, suitcases, Christmas decorations). I'll check when I quote that your joists are adequate and there's enough head height to work. If it's a really old or unusual loft, I'll tell you honestly if it's not suitable.
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