re: If you were to build a new shop

Keep weight in mind as well. that collapsible staircase probably shrinks weight allowance by up to 50%. If your 6' 3" height is married to 300 pounds, then if you are carrying 100 pounds up, abut midway I see that hinged together stair going POOF. Consider on a well designed 12' ladder getting a 300 pound weight limit is only on a handful of ladders on the market. Most max at 225, and if you are 75" tall, and only weigh in at 225, then lifting 100# may be a problem? Anyhow it gives ya clearance on that foldy stair contraption. Or at least it will only creak and scream rather than collapse. :-)

Makes Nathans elevator thought look great at 500 or 1000 # capacity.