Rough Opening - Check Ladder Condition - Ladder Location - Cut Hole Ceiling - Cut Ceiling Joists - Frame Opening - Install the Frame - Ladder Install - Set Ladder's Height
Before Proceeding: You must have either: Exposed joists or a correctly sized hole at the desired ceiling location.
Goal: To cut out any joists that are in the way of your chosen location. Before cutting the joists, you must attach them to other joists in the overhead attic to keep the ceiling from sagging or completely collapsing.
Step 1. If the room has a ceiling and you have cut the required hole, go to Step 2. If the room has no ceiling, you will need to mark the joists according to (A) or (B) below.
(A) If the chosen location is parallel to the joists, mark the rough opening length on top of the joists (See Figure 7). Do not cut the joist at this mark.
(B) If the chosen location is perpendicular to the joists, mark the rough opening width on top of the joists (See Figure 8). Do not cut the joist at this mark.
Step 2. Cut 2 joist-sized boards long enough to span two joists on each side of your chosen location (See Figure 9). These boards will support the joists that will be cut and help keep the ceiling from sagging or completely collapsing while you are working in the overhead space.
Step 3. Place these boards approximately 24 inches from the edge of your chosen location and nail (See Figure 9). 
Note: The 24 inch distance is needed to give you room to hammer nails into the frame that you will build in the next section.
Step 4. Next, determine where the joist(s) should be cut. Figure 10 shows where to mark the joist(s) that span your chosen location. Note that the joist(s) should be marked back from the edge of your location a distance of twice the joist thickness (usually three inches). This leaves room for two joist-sized headers to be placed against each end of the cut joists.
Note: In some homes, especially older ones, the joists may be slightly thicker than the lumber you can currently buy. If your joists have a different thickness than the lumber you will be using for the headers, you will need to mark the joists back from the edge of your location a distance of two times the header thickness instead of the joist thickness.
Step 5. Saw through the joist(s) being careful not to cut through the ceiling and making sure the cut ends of the joist(s) are flat and vertical.
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