Creating an attic access panel? ...

What are some really tidy and low cost...
Answers:    figure out where on earth the ceiling studs are. Using a drywall saw, cut a square or rectangle out . Add some 2x4's between the studs (perpendicular to them) where the snake of the cut is.

Get some casing (similar to fanlight trim) and fasten it to the studs surrounded by the ceiling as well as the cross braces you enjoy installed. Miter the ends at 45 degrees for a apposite fit. Have the casing stick out into the orifice about 1 inch adjectives the way around. That passageway when you put the ceiling drywall back up, it will rest on the cover.
How can I fix (re-form) my ballcap?
Go get a stud finder. Locate the the trusses surrounded by the celing, they should be 22 1/2" apart. mark out the spot on the celing where on earth you want to put your access hole. (keep in mind explicitly has to be 22 1/2" far-reaching by 30" long [national fire code])
Put a 2x4 on either side of the hole.

once you enjoy your 2x4's installed get some covering trim (you can buy it any where and it comes contained by pre primed white and unfinished so you can stain it any color). Nail the trim up so the thinest periphery is hanging over the hole you cut contained by your dry wall.

Once you have that done simply put the piece of drywall spinal column in, it will rest on the trim and you own easy access to your attic.

I hope this help sorry if I had to detailed I don't know how much you know roughly carpentry.