What Is The Average Cost To Remodel A Staircase?

Staircases are only as good as they make you feel, and it’s time to remodel if you don’t like it. It’s easy to want to remodel your staircase, but it can be intimidating to begin the process and spend the money. So, what is the average cost to remodel a staircase?

The average homeowner spends $1,800 to remodel their staircase, but it can cost $15,000 or more. You’ll spend more if you choose materials like glass, wrought iron, stone, brick, or African Mahogany. Homeowners must spend an extra $1,600 or more to move the staircase, and you’ll spend at least $600 for a new handrail.

Professionals often charge between $50 and $90 per hour to remodel a staircase, and that adds up. Follow along as we explore the costs involved in remodeling a staircase.

Some remodel involve removing and demolishing the existing staircase. It costs an average of $1,600 to remove your staircase professionally due to labor and materials. Some homeowners attempt to remove their stairs on their own, but it is not advised for safety reasons.

Professionals can carefully demolish and remove a staircase in a structurally safe way. Staircase demolition can cost up to $2,000 or more for large or challenging sets of steps. Prices also vary based on the labor rate that your professional charges you, and on how many people are involved.

NOTE: Removal and demolish are not necessary for every homeowner’s staircase remodel. You can avoid removal if you remodel a staircase without changing its location or style. Staircase remodels that don’t involve much removal stay closer to the $700-$1,800 price range.

You may decide that you want to move your staircase entirely when you remodel it. This a wise yet expensive choice that lets you change the vibe and layout of your space. However, it is quite labor-intensive and can cost between $2,000 and $6,000 between labor and materials.

It adds several hours of labor when you choose to move the staircase entirely. However, it is a worthy investment if you plan to keep the house for several years before you sell it. You may spend as much as $90 per hour in labor when you hire a professional to move and remodel your staircase.

You can expect to pay an average of $100 per step to replace wood stairs, but it can cost more. Some homeowners pay as much as $150-$200 per step to remodeling a wooden staircase. That doesn’t include the demolition if you need to remove the old one which can reach $2,000 for large staircases.

Cypress, African Mahogany, Brazilian Cherry, Red Oak, and White Oak are the most common staircase woods. You can sometimes pay up to $50 more for African Mahogany, but it is known for its durability. However, Red Oak and White Oak are known for having the most longevity when it comes to staircases.

Glass is the most expensive material that you can choose for the steps in your staircase. Homeowners spend between $1,500 and $9,000, or more for staircase remodels with glass steps. You can keep costs low if you remodel an existing glass staircase as opposed to converting it to glass.

However, you will spend closer to $9,000 if you have to demolish and remove an existing staircase. Glass staircases are visually appealing and can help add value to your home when you sell it. Customization is an option with glass steps, but it can add thousands of dollars to the bill.

It is also much harder to remodel a spiral or floating staircase with glass steps. That leads to higher labor rates, more working hours, and a more expensive staircase remodel.

Carpet runner and wood are the two cheapest staircase step materials, but carpet runner takes the cake. You will only spend between $20 and $40 per linear foot for a carpet runner, and you can even install it yourself. Choose a carpet runner if you want to save on materials and labor costs if you hire a professional.

Carpet runner can also help you because it isn’t labor-intensive to install and requires minimal demolition. This is most common for straight staircases, but you can line a spiral staircase with a carpet runner. Simple carpet runner installation cost as little as $500, but prices can exceed $1,000 in some cases.

Brick steps are one of the most popular choices for exterior staircases due to their appearance and durability. It costs $2,500 to install brick staircases, on average, for staircases outside of your home. Brick staircase installation can cost as little as $2,000, but prices can soar to $3,000 or more.

Building codes require that you build a hand or guard rail for all exterior staircases with three or more steps. That can add another $600 or more to your final bill when you remodel an exterior staircase with brick steps.

Stone is the most expensive material you can choose for exterior staircase remodels, and it costs a minimum of $2,000. Prices vary based on which type of stone you choose, and how large your staircase is. It can be difficult to pair stone staircases with a handrail, but the handrail will add at least $600 to the cost.

Most homeowners choose bluestone because of its unique appearance, durability, and longevity. Stones such as limestone, brownstone, and imported materials like rainbow stone are the most expensive.

Rails serve the dual purpose of function and style, and the right railing can complete your remodel. Homeowners spend $600 to remodel their staircase railing, on the low end with cheaper materials like wood. You can figure out how much money you’ll spend to replace your railing when you choose the material that best suits your staircase.

Railing costs go hand in hand with the style of the staircase that you choose. Customization and unique shapes, such as a spiral staircase, can increase your railing costs for your staircase remodel.

Wrought iron creates a distinct, classic, and elegant vibe for your staircase and the house as a whole. Staircases need railing if there are more than three steps, and wrought iron is the most sophisticated option. However, you will have to spend between $1,500 and $2,500 to add wrought iron railing to your staircase remodel.

You can expect to pay up to $500 per linear foot for wrought iron staircase railing due to material costs. However, prices can exceed that and reach $1,000 per linear foot depending on the style of the staircase. For example, you will spend more on a wrought iron railing for a spiral staircase than a straight one.

You won’t often find cable railing indoors, but many homeowners choose it for exterior staircases. Homeowners typically pay between $40 and $65 per linear foot to install cable railing. It is not exactly visually appealing, but the cable railing is quite functional and serves its purpose.

Cable railing can cost between $1,500 and $3,000 including labor for the average outdoor staircase. You will generally find cable railing on deck staircases, but it is a great choice for any staircase outside your home.

Most professionals will charge you between $125 and $200 per linear foot for steel railing. However, it can cost you less, and a simple steel railing for a small staircase costs $700. You may spend as much as $2,000 depending on the style of a staircase and your professional’s labor rate.

Homeowners generally use steel railing for deck and other exterior staircases. However, you can choose steel railing for an interior staircase, it is just less appealing than wood or wrought iron. Steel is a better option for staircase railing than cable railing in terms of durability and longevity. Check out the parts of a staircase.

Most homeowners only choose glass railing if they have a glass staircase, and that can be expensive. Glass staircases cost between $1,800 and $8,000 alone, and a glass handrail can add up to $8,000 to the bill. Some glass handrails start as low as $1,800, but it is the most expensive material for handrails.

The main downside to glass handrails is that you need to clean them quite often to remove smudges. Glass handrails are also less durable than wood or wrought iron, so it isn’t always worth the expensive cost.

The average homeowner will spend $1,400 on remodeling and replacing their staircase baluster. You don’t always need to include baluster replacement in your staircase remodel, but it is necessary if you get a new handrail. Baluster replacements can cost as little as $800, or as much as $2,600 depending on the style and your handrail.

Some vendors and professionals refer to balusters as spindles, but they are the same thing in modern times. Ask your professional if you can keep your existing baluster to save money, or if you need to get a new one.

Related Questions

Do new stairs add value to a house?

Yes, you can add value to your home if you renovate, remodel, or replace your stairs. Remodels and new additions always add value to a house if they are finished and up to code. Try to choose desirable materials and make your staircase compliment the rest of the house to add the most value.

When should I replace my stairs?

You should replace your stairs if you have water damage, loose posts, or damaged steps. Steps can be repaired one by one, but you should replace the staircase if multiple steps go bad. Professionals recommend that you replace stairs if they incur serious water damage that can weaken them.

Can a staircase be open on one side?

A staircase can only be open on one side of the length is 44” or less. The residential stair and handrail code is strict, and you must have one handrail on the open side.