New Staircase Cost

How Much Does a New Staircase Cost?

If your stairs have fallen into a state of despair, or you are doing a major renovation or extension project for which you require a new set of stairs, then you will quickly find that staircases are available in an almost limitless variety of shapes, sizes, materials and designs. When it comes to costs, it’s easy to get carried away, but don't worry.

So, how can this article help you?

This article will help you by showcasing realistic prices for staircases, plus we have collated key information and guidance on stair installation projects and even some DIY tips.

The pricing information found within this article has been collected from multiple online sources, as well as gathered directly from tradesmen around the country.

While the prices are taken from actual quotes, every staircase is different so you will need to get a full written quotation for your staircase installation cost before making any firm decisions.

How much will a new staircase cost, exactly?

A new staircase costs on average around £600 to £6600, with prices depending on the type of staircase, the design and the materials used, along with location and access. For instance, the starting price for an L-shaped staircase made out of softwood is around £700, however, this can increase to £1600 for a hardwood material.

The average cost to supply and fit staircase materials such as concrete starts from £2600 for materials and supply, while a glass staircase can cost up to £4600.

Staircase Prices

Below are some estimated costs to fit a new staircase including hiring a specialist to supply and install different types of staircases with 13 200mm steps.

The below table sets out new staircase prices for different materials.

Supply Costs

If you plan to install a new staircase yourself, then you can save a significant amount on installation costs, as you will only have to pay the following supply costs:

The below table sets out the different staircase materials and their costs:

Additional Costs

There are various other costs you need to consider when installing a replacement staircase, including:

Labour Costs and Time Frames

The average joiner will usually charge around £150 to £200 per day to fit a new staircase. As every staircase is different, it is hard to put a specific time frame on the job. The staircase will need to be planned in detail which may take up to a day itself.

For a bespoke staircase to be built and fitted it can take anywhere from up to 8-10 weeks as the staircase will first need to be designed and manufactured, meaning there are waiting times.

The actual fitting can usually be done in 1-2 days, adding another day if the old staircase needs removing. Time frames will, of course, vary depending on the type of staircase, for example, a softwood staircase installation may only take 2 days to complete, while glass stairs could take up to 4 days to install.

Cost Affecting Factors of Fitting a Staircase

Before hiring someone to install your new staircase, you will need to consider a number of cost factors. This is especially important if you have a low budget in mind, as you should stick to affordable materials such as a softwood which tends to cost around £600 to £1,100 to install.

To avoid costly supply and installation costs, you may want to steer clear of more expensive options such as concrete stairs which can cost up to £3,000.

The type of stairs you choose will also determine the cost, for instance, an L-shaped staircase has an average starting price of around £400, while a middle landing installation can cost up to £2,500.

Another important element that’s taken into consideration is the location of the staircase, as a straight swap replacement will bring costs down, while constructing a new staircase space will increase the time frame, resulting in additional costs.

What Does Fitting a Staircase Entail?

A professional staircase installation involves the following steps:

1. Measuring the space

The first step involves working out the exact measurements of the staircase. This could simply be a case of measuring the existing staircase for a like for like replacement. For a new home, the designated area for the stairs will need to be measured before deciding on the staircase type and where the first step will be placed.

A diagonal line should be drawn out from the bottom to the top to establish the position of the stringer, which will hold up the rest of the stairs.

2. Stringer installation

The stringer should be placed flush against the diagonal line drawn out on the wall. A level will then be placed in the position where the thread will be attached.

The installer will then hammer framing nails into the wall studs located on the staircase frame. Then to secure the stringer to the floor, they will use braces, then the second stringer can be aligned and secured.

3. Threads and risers installation

Once the stringers are in place, pre-cut threads should then be placed across the stringers, then secure them with nails. Followed by the risers which should be attached vertically to the stringers and then nailed in place.

4. Handrail installation

The staircase handrail should then be attached to the stringer with vertical spindles that will hold it in place. All fixtures should then be assembled, making sure they are all attached to the stringer and the top of the stairs.

DIY Staircase Installation

Building and fitting a staircase is a skilled job and best left to the professionals. Unless you are a very experienced DIY enthusiast, it's probably best not to attempt it yourself.

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If you make a mess of it, it could be dangerous and will likely end up costing a lot more if you have to get a joiner in to fix it! However, there are many companies which will make staircases which are designed for local tradesman and DIY enthusiasts to install.

There is very little fabrication work required and full fitting instructions are usually included with the staircases, so it can be a DIY project.

Types of Staircase

There are a variety of staircase types available, including:

Staircase Materials

There are various materials you can choose from for your staircase installation, including:

Planning Permission

Planning permission is not normally required unless you live in a listed building, where you would need to apply for consent, which would cost around £206.

Building Regulations

Under Part K of the Building Regulations, all staircase installations must be constructed and installed to ensure the safety of dwellers moving between floor levels.

To ensure your installation meets the regulations, the staircase must have a clear headroom of at least 2000mm. It should also have a rise of no more than 220mm and a maximum pitch of 42 degrees. Flights of stairs must also have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than a metre, or one on each side if the stairs are wider than a metre.

The handrails must also have a minimum height of 900mm. If installing balustrades, the gap should be small enough that a 100mm sphere could not pass through.

If constructing a new staircase for a loft conversion, then fire safety regulations must be followed to ensure that there is accurate space to enter and exit the loft. In some instances, space-saving stairs can be used, but ladders or retractable stairs are not permitted.

To ensure that the installation meets building regulations, you should hire someone who is listed under the competent persons scheme. They should issue you with a building regulations certificate to approve the work. This will save you the hassle of applying for approval yourself, which can be costly depending on the fees from your local council.

Do I Need a New Staircase?

If you’ve had your staircase for several years or it was already installed when you moved in, then you may want to invest in a new staircase. Signs that you need a replacement include broken spindles or handrails, which can be dangerous and cause accidents.

If you have an old wooden staircase, it may start to sound creaky, which can be annoying but could be a warning sign that part of the stairs may collapse. If you hear any creaks in your home, you should consider calling out a professional to take a look at and determine whether a replacement is necessary.

If you are planning a new extension or a loft conversion, then you may need to have a brand-new staircase installed to provide better and safe access to the floors above or below.

Updating a Staircase

In some instances, you may not need a brand-new staircase, as you may only require a staircase upgrade. For example, if you have any broken balustrades, then you should expect to pay around £30 to £150 to install new ones. While a new bannister will cost up to £120.

If the paint or gloss has started to chip away on your stairs, then you could hire a painter who will charge around £ to repaint or gloss your stairs. Of course, having your staircase freshly painted will make all the skirting boards and door surrounds look positively grubby, so while you have the painter and decorator there, you may as well freshen up all the paintwork!

One of the most common staircase updates is flooring, especially if you have a high footfall in your home, forcing the flooring to wear away. If you need your carpet replacing, you should expect to pay around £5 to £40 per square metre or for a laminate floor, the average installation price ranges from £17 to £32 per square metre.

Maintenance Costs

To ensure that you get your money’s worth from your staircase installation it is important that you maintain it regularly. To help you understand how to care for your staircase, here is a breakdown of the different maintenance jobs that should be conducted for each type of staircase.

Wood

To maintain your wood staircase, you should sweep and vacuum it regularly. A more thorough clean should involve a wood cleaner designed for either softwood or hardwood.

Metal

Metal staircases can be cleaned regularly with water and a mild cleaning solution. They may also require a new powder coating every couple of years to prevent rusting.

Glass

A glass staircase will need to be cleaned regularly to clear away any smudges or grease marks. You can either use a specialist glass cleaner or water and a mild detergent to clean it.

Concrete

Concrete stairs should be swept regularly with a broom to remove any dirt or debris. For stains, you should use dish soap, vinegar and hot water and scrub the area with a stiff bristle brush.

Stone

To clean your stone staircase, you should use a brush and dish soap to remove any dirt or debris. If there is any stubborn dirt or stains, you should use a nylon brush and apply a mixture of vinegar and water to remove them.

Repair costs

There are various repairs that may need to be conducted by you or a professional joiner, who will charge around £12 per hour, although this will vary depending on the extent of the damage. The most common repairs include:

Damaged spindles

If any of your spindles are damaged or broken, they will need to be removed and replaced. This involves pulling out the existing spindle with pliers, followed by widening the current hole with a drill. The new spindle should then be put in place, and once it is in the right position it can be glued to secure it.

Worn tread nosing’s

If you have any worn or scratched tread nosing’s, they can be repaired, especially if you have a metal staircase, as scratches can easily be buffed out on an aluminium, bronze or stainless-steel staircase.

If you have a metal-plated or wood staircase, then the stair nosing will need to be replaced, which will involve removing the flooring and the stair nosing to allow room for a new one. This should be attached with epoxy glue and nails to secure it in place.

Loose fixtures

If your staircase starts to creak all the time, this could be a sign of a loose joint to pinpoint the problem, the top layer of flooring will need to be lifted, then the source of the creaking can be confirmed by establishing which tread is causing the issue.

To fix the joint, adhesive will need to be reapplied by removing the existing glue, adding new glue and re-attaching the block or joint. The stair wedges should also be checked to ensure that they have not been displaced. If they have, they should also be glued and placed back into position with a mallet.

Cracks

If you have a wooden staircase that is cracked, it cannot be glued back together, but it can be patched up. Most professionals will use a thin piece of wood and insert into the damaged space using glue.

For a concrete staircase, professionals will repair cracks by removing and cleaning the damaged area with a wire brush, followed by tapping out any loose gravel with a hammer and chisel. They will then apply bonding liquid to the cracked space, followed by a quick-setting cement. Once this is cured, the space will be moistened before the cement is put in place and smoothed and should then be left overnight.

Rust staining

If you notice any rust stains on your staircase, you can remove them yourself with a stiff brush and a strong detergent or baking soda. This will remove the stains without affecting the paint work. For a metal staircase, you should consider scouring the area with a wire brush then use sandpaper to scrub off the rest of the rust.

Removing a Staircase

If your staircase is creaking and any of the fixtures are broken, then it may time for a replacement. The majority of professionals will offer this service, which will cost around £150 to £200 per day.

If you want to save money, you could consider removing the staircase yourself. This will require the following equipment including:

• Utility knife
• Jig saw
• Circular saw
• Pry bar
• Sledgehammer
• Ladder
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

To remove the staircase, you will first need to remove the staircase flooring using a utility knife for carpet. You should then put your safety glasses and a dust mask on to cut the spindles with a jig saw, making sure you work from the top to the bottom of the stairs. After they have been removed, the handrail can then be cut away along with the outer frame of the stairs.

Once the frame is removed, the steps should be removed with a circular saw and pry bar. You can then demolish the rest of the stairs using a sledgehammer.

After everything has been removed, all parts will need to be disposed of. The best way to do this is by hiring a skip, which normally costs around £70 to £260 for a small skip and up to £440 for a larger skip.

How to Find & Hire a Staircase Installer

To ensure that your staircase is durable, high-quality and has a long-life span, you should consider hiring a professional to install it for you, which costs around £150 to £200 per day.

Before hiring someone, you should check that they have the right qualifications, which includes a diploma in carpentry and joinery. You could also consider hiring someone who is listed under the competent persons scheme, as this will offer you reassurance that your staircase is installed to the highest standards. They should have public liability insurance, as this will protect both them and you should an incident or damage occur.

FAQs

Sources

https://thisladyblogs.com/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-staircase-for-your-home/
https://www.midlandladders.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-spiral-staircases
https://www.jacksonwoodturners.co.uk/planning-advice/guide-wooden-stair-parts
https://www.surreymarbleandgranite.co.uk/converting-to-stone-stairs/
https://planetstairs.com.au/hard-wood-or-soft-wood-timber-staircase-choosing-whats-right-for-your-home/
https://www.otitech.com/blog/damaged-stair-nosings-should-you-replace-or-repair
https://liverpool.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/building-control/apply-for-approval/
https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/detached-house/inside/stairs-and-staircases/building-regulations
https://www.pearstairs.co.uk/how-many-steps-does-my-staircase-need/