Quick Answer
For most home maintenance jobs in SE Melbourne, you need two ladders: a 1.8m platform step ladder for indoor jobs and gutters on a single-storey house, and a 6–7m extension ladder for two-storey roof work and tall trees. Always check the Safe Working Load (SWL) rating — for a 90kg person plus 15kg of tools, buy a ladder rated for 120kg minimum. Never use a ladder on a roof — use scaffold or a roof safety system for any roofwork lasting more than a few minutes.
Which Ladder for Which Job?
Platform Step Ladders (1.2m–2.4m)
The workhorse of the home maintenance kit. A platform step ladder has a wide flat platform at the top (or near the top), which gives you a stable surface to stand on and rest tools. The platform design means your knees are below your waist — far more stable than balancing on a narrow top rung. Suitable for:
- Cleaning ceiling fans, changing light globes
- Painting interior walls and ceilings
- Clearing leaves from single-storey gutters
- Accessing roof space (manhole) inside the home
- Working on the outside of single-storey walls
Price range: $80–$250 depending on material and height. A 1.8m fibreglass platform step ladder costs around $120–$160 from Bunnings or Total Tools. Fibreglass is the best choice — it’s non-conductive, which matters if you’re anywhere near electrical wiring.
Extension Ladders (4m–10m)
Extension ladders lean against a wall or structure and extend to reach greater heights. They are essential for two-storey gutters, fascia work, tall trees, and accessing roofs. They are not self-supporting — they always need a wall, roof edge, or anchor point to lean against.
- 6–7m extension ladder: reaches two-storey eaves and most SE Melbourne rooftops (typical house height 5–6m at gutter line)
- 7.5–9m extension ladder: required for two-storey buildings with high pitches or for reaching above the roofline
- Aluminium is standard ($150–$350); fibreglass required near power lines ($300–$600)
Combination (Multi-Purpose) Ladders
Combination ladders can be used as a step ladder, an extension ladder, or a scaffold span. They fold into multiple positions using hinge joints. A good quality 3.1m combination ladder (e.g. Little Giant, Gorilla Ladders, or the Bunnings equivalent) can replace both a step ladder and an extension ladder for most household jobs — though it’s heavier and bulkier than either dedicated type.
Price range: $200–$600 for quality models rated to 120–150kg. Cheaper combination ladders under $100 often have poor hinge quality — this is not the place to save money.
Step Stools (Under 1m)
For reaching the top shelf, changing a globe in a standard ceiling fitting, or painting a wall 300mm above your reach. Lightweight, easy to move around the kitchen. Not suitable for anything more than occasional low-height work — they lack the stability for sustained pressure or working with heavy tools.
Ladder Safety Ratings — What to Check Before You Buy
| Rating | What It Means | Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| SWL 100kg | Safe Working Load: person + tools cannot exceed 100kg | Light person, minimal tools only |
| SWL 120kg | Industry standard for most household use | Person up to 90kg + 15kg tools + clothing = fine |
| SWL 150kg | Heavy-duty residential / light trade | Heavier users, carrying buckets of paint or heavy tools |
| SWL 170kg+ | Industrial / heavy trade | Tradespeople on worksites, not required for home use |
All ladders sold in Australia must comply with AS/NZS 1892 — check for this standard on the label. The SWL (Safe Working Load) must be permanently marked on the ladder. SWL includes your body weight plus the weight of tools, materials, and clothing you carry — not just your body weight alone.
Material: Aluminium vs Fibreglass
| Material | Weight | Conducts Electricity | Best For | Price (1.8m platform) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Light (~6–8kg) | Yes — dangerous near power | General outdoor use, away from electrics | $60–$130 |
| Fibreglass | Heavier (~9–12kg) | No — electrically safe | Any work near power lines or wiring | $120–$250 |
| Timber | Heavy | Minimal (when dry) | Older/traditional; largely replaced by fibreglass | Rare |
How to Inspect a Ladder Before Use
Before each use, inspect your ladder for:
- Bent, cracked, or deformed rungs or stiles (side rails) — discard immediately; never repair a structurally compromised ladder
- Loose or missing feet (rubber non-slip pads) — feet must grip the ground firmly; replace rubber feet ($5–$15 from hardware stores) if worn
- Faulty locking mechanisms — extension ladders: verify rung locks engage fully; combination ladders: check all hinge pins lock positively
- Oil, grease, or mud on rungs — clean before use; a slippery rung causes as many falls as a structural failure
- Spreader bars on step ladders — must lock open flat; never use a step ladder with a partially open spreader
Tips and Gotchas
- Never use a ladder on a roof — if you need to move around the roof, use a purpose-built roof ladder with a ridge hook, or hire scaffold. In Victoria, falls from residential roofs sent over 700 people to hospital in a recent year.
- The 3-point rule at all times — always maintain two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder.
- Face the ladder — always — never turn your back on an extension ladder. If you need to turn and reach, come down and move the ladder.
- Secure the base before climbing — on smooth floors use a rubber-footed ladder mat or have someone foot the ladder. On soft ground, use ladder feet with spikes (available as accessories for most extension ladders).
- Tie the top of extension ladders for long jobs — use a purpose-made ladder stabiliser or bungee cord the top rungs to an anchor point when working at height for extended periods.
- Check overhead power lines before erecting an extension ladder — electricity authorities in Victoria require a minimum 3-metre horizontal distance and 3-metre vertical clearance from overhead lines. If in doubt, don’t work near them — call Powercor/CitiPower/Jemena to request a temporary cover.
- Ladder hire makes sense for occasional use — a 7.5m extension ladder costs $25–$50 per day from Kennards or Total Tools hire. If you only need it once or twice a year, hire it rather than buying and storing an unwieldy ladder.
- Combination ladders are heavy — a quality 3.1m combination ladder weighs 12–16kg. If you have back or shoulder issues, a lighter dedicated extension ladder and step ladder may be easier to handle.
When to Call a Professional
Hire a licensed tradesperson or scaffolding company instead of using a ladder when:
- The job requires more than 30 minutes of sustained work at height
- You need both hands free continuously (painting, installing, repairing)
- The work area is on a roof, not just at gutter height
- The surface below is uneven, soft, or sloped — stable base for a ladder is not achievable
- The work is near overhead power lines (within 3 metres)
- You have any balance, dizziness, or mobility issues
Local Melbourne Resources
- Bunnings — widest ladder range in SE Melbourne; stores in Dandenong, Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Frankston. Staff can advise on SWL and height requirements
- Total Tools (Dandenong, Pakenham) — professional-grade fibreglass and combination ladders; better quality than basic hardware store range
- Kennards Hire — extension ladder and scaffolding hire across SE Melbourne for occasional-use jobs
- WorkSafe Victoria — Ladder Safety — official guidance on AS/NZS 1892 compliance and fall prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
What size ladder do I need to clean gutters on a two-storey house?
For a typical two-storey Melbourne home with eaves at 5–6 metres, you need a 6–7 metre extension ladder. This gives you a safe working height of about 5.5–6m (you should not stand on the top three rungs). If the roof pitch is steep or you need to work on the roof rather than just the gutter, hire scaffolding instead — it’s safer and often faster for sustained work.
What is the SWL rating I need on a ladder?
Calculate: your body weight + tool bag weight + clothing. For example, 85kg person + 10kg tools + 3kg clothing = 98kg total load. You need a ladder rated to at least 120kg SWL to have a safe margin. If you are heavier or carry heavy buckets (paint, tiles), step up to 150kg SWL. Never exceed the rated SWL — ladder failures at height are catastrophic.
Is a combination ladder worth buying?
Yes, for most homeowners — a quality 3.1m combination ladder (Little Giant, Gorilla Ladders, or similar) effectively replaces both a 1.8m step ladder and a 5m extension ladder. They cost $200–$500 but save storage space and are very versatile. The trade-off is weight (12–16kg) — if you need to carry the ladder up stairs or a side passage frequently, two lighter dedicated ladders may be more practical.
Should I buy an aluminium or fibreglass ladder?
If you work near electrical wiring, a switchboard, or overhead power lines — choose fibreglass. Aluminium conducts electricity and can kill you if it contacts a live conductor. For purely outdoor work away from power (cleaning gutters, trimming trees, exterior painting with no electrical hazards), aluminium is fine and significantly lighter. When in doubt, fibreglass is the safer long-term choice.
Can I use a ladder on a roof?
Only a purpose-built roof ladder with a ridge hook should be used on a roof surface — and even then only for brief access. Standard step ladders and extension ladders are not designed to be used on a sloped roof surface and must not be placed on roof tiles. For any sustained roofwork (re-pointing, painting, solar maintenance), hire a scaffolding company. In Victoria, unguarded work at height above 2 metres requires fall protection under the Work Health and Safety Act.
