New Staircase Cost

How Much Does a New Staircase Cost?

How much does it cost to build a new staircase, exactly?

Average new staircase costs can range from £950 to £2,000 - but this depends on a few factors.

The specific type of staircase, size of the installation, and choice of materials will be the main factors that make up the final price.

New Staircase Prices

How Much Do Different Types of Staircases Cost?

Straight Staircase Cost

The simplest and most common form of single-storey staircases is the straight softwood style.

This is a single-level staircase popular in the majority of homes today. Whether connecting the ground floor or built as part of an attic extension.

But, what is a straight staircase good for? This type of staircase is the most cost-effective method for connecting two floors with a straightforward design.

Crafted from pine or other softwood, the cost of these staircases usually begins around £950, and can increase by about 50% to £1,450 when constructed of hardwoods such as oak.

Winding Staircase Cost

Not all properties have the space for a straight-fit staircase, and the owner may desire a modern, aesthetically pleasing design.

This is where a winding design is similar to a straight staircase except it often features a 90-degree bend at the bottom, forming an "L" shape.

So, how much will a winding staircase cost in total? The staircase cost for a design constructed from softwood, will usually cost around £1,100 to £3,000 if made out of a hardwood.

Half Landing or U-Shaped Staircase Cost

What is a U-shaped staircase? Consisting of two parallel flights of stairs, which are connected with a landing area, half-landing staircases usually have a 180-degree turn.

Also known as switchback stairs, or a half-turn, this style of staircase offers a unique look and space-saving design.

Half-landing staircases often start range from around £1,000 to £3,000, depending on the complexity of design and materials used.

Spiral Staircase Cost

Metal spiral staircases are the most common form of spiral staircases installed.

There are options available constructed of wood. However, this will raise the prices of not just materials but also the labour costs with the increased complexity of the design.

A spiral staircase is most commonly used when space is at a premium, as they possess the smallest footprint of all staircase designs.

But what makes a spiral staircase different? Fitted through a single, often round hole between the floors, a spiral staircase has a complex design when compared to the simpler straight stairs.

How much is a spiral staircase to install? The price of a spiral staircase ranges from around £1,800 to £5,000 depending on size, the complexity of design, and materials used in construction.

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New Staircase Material Costs

The prices of materials are often a large consideration when planning a staircase. If you wish to undertake the project on your own, you could save around £500 to £1,000 in labour costs.

This does not account for the time you personally will lose, and due to the nature of the stairs being an important safety concern, it is always advisable that you seek the advice of a qualified tradesman in order to fit them for you.

However, if you do wish to fit the staircase yourself, there are options to just buy the materials or even a pre-made kit.

Softwood Staircase Costs

The most common material used in the construction of a staircase is softwood. This is due to its workability, cost-effective pricing, and wide availability on the market. Being the lowest priced option for most staircase designs, it is not as durable and long-lasting as other materials.

However, due to its wide-ranging availability, it is often the best choice for simple designs and those on a budget. The cost of materials to build a softwood staircase would start at around £400 for a standard straight staircase, and increase up to £2,000 for a spiral or curved design.

Hardwood Staircase Costs

Wood such as oak comes under the category of hardwood. This means they are more durable and longer-lasting than their softwood alternatives. However, they are often priced higher, can be harder to acquire, and are not as easily worked with than softwoods such as pine.

Hardwood may be a better option for a staircase with a complex or open design. An oak staircase cost would start around £900 for a standard straight staircase, and increase up to £4,000 for a highly complex curved or spiral design.

Metal Staircase Costs

For a spiral staircase, metal is the most popular choice. This is due to its robust and hardwearing nature, allowing it to be constructed in more elaborate and intricate designs.

Metal is by far the least cost-effective option when building a standard staircase, however, when considering a spiral design will often cost equal, if not less, than the hardwood alternative.

Metal also has the downside of a less aesthetic appeal than wood and may require a specialist to fit. The cost of materials to build a metal staircase would start around £1,200 for a spiral design; however, this would increase to around £3,000 for a more complex straight design.

Other Materials

Stone, glass, and concrete are a few materials which may be combined with a wooden or metal staircase to increase the aesthetic value. Often, glass will be used along the sides to improve the visual appeal.

Concrete and stone are often used in place of the steps in order to increase the durability of the staircase. However, these options will substantially increase the final price.

For example, to fit a straight hardwood staircase with a stone laid step installation, will increase the materials price from £800 to £1,600. A glass staircase cost would begin at £2,600, just for a single straight design.

Staircase Finishing Costs

Once your new staircase has been installed, you then have to consider how you're going to finish your staircase. Do you want carpet laying, do you want the wood staining?

Let's take a closer look at the choices:

Staircase Flooring Costs

Firstly, the most obvious choice of aesthetics would be the floor covering. Do you want the stairs to match the existing floor covering, such as carpet? It is doubtful you will have the same style of carpet on both of the floors, which the stairs will connect.

As a result, you may want your stairs to match the lower floors covering in order to blend in when viewed from the bottom level, as this is the view, which will catch the eye. The average cost of carpeting a flight of stairs ranges from £136 to £420, depending on the complexity of the stair layout and the type of carpet you choose.

Tiles and laminate are also a common option for the flooring of a staircase. Tiles can vary drastically in colour, design, and materials. The cost of a standard style ceramic tile would begin at around £40 for a pack of 50 tiles, and can increase up to around £100 as the material quality is increased.

Laminate flooring, being the second most common staircase flooring after carpet, begins at around £30 per m², and will increase to around £70 per m² for higher quality hardwood laminate. The more premium the material, the higher the cost of laminate flooring.

Handrails, Bannisters, and Glass Balustrades Costs

Handrails, or bannisters, are the length of wood or metal running along the side of the staircase. Often used as an aid when travelling up or down the staircase, they also function as a safety feature to stop someone from falling over the sides.

Handrails not only hold a safety function but also form a large part of the final aesthetic of the staircase. A wooden handrail for a standard straight staircase will usually start at around £40 for softwood, £90 for hardwood, and around £120 for metal or composite varieties.

Balustrades are a row of columns or pillars, which are topped by a handrail often constructed of metal, with a glass panel positioned in between the column. The prices of Balustrades vary, largely dependent on the materials chosen.

Prices can start as low as £30 per metre and often increase to upwards of £150 when custom glass balustrades are used.

Cost of Painting Your New Staircase

Paints and wood stains are the final expense to consider while planning the costs of fitting a new staircase. Paint will vary in cost depending on the colour, type, and brand of paint chosen. The cost of paint can range from £20 for 2 litres, increasing to around £60 for 2 litres of brand name colour mixed paint.

Wood stain is often the most cost-effective option for those on a fixed budget. Not only is it a more budget-friendly, cheap choice, but also has the added advantage of retaining the aesthetic character of the wood chosen for construction. Wood stain will often start at around £10 for 2 litres and increase up to £40 for 2 litre brand name varieties.

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How Much to Fit a Staircase?

When hiring any tradesman for building work, you need to consider what specific jobs actually need doing, as not all tradesmen can handle the same types of work. A carpenter and joiner or a general builder will usually be hired when building a staircase, depending on the materials chosen.

The most obvious place to start is staircase specialists - however, this will depend on what style of staircase you have chosen, the complexity of the design, and the materials used.

Below is a list of various tradesmen you may require and the jobs they will be undertaking:

Architect or Designer

When planning a staircase, building designs or drawings will sometimes need to be created. Often a specialist designer or architect creates the plans in order to make sure the correct choice of materials, the correct style is used, and you get the results you want. This will take up a large percentage of the labour costs, considering it will be one of the smaller jobs involved.

The cost to hire an architect or specialist designer usually is around £200 per day. However, they would typically charge by a completed job rather than per day. This would be around £200 to £1,000 for a completed design, drawing, and technical specifications.

Carpenter

If you are building a wooden staircase then you can hire a carpenter. They will often be able to undertake the job themselves without the need for further tradesmen, although this will depend on the skills of the carpenter chosen. A carpenter will usually cost you around £125 per day, but this will depend on the skills and experience of the tradesman.

Generally, this work will take around 2 days to complete for a single standard straight staircase. This can increase to up to 4 days for a more complex design, such as one that changes direction partway up.

General Builder

A general builder is often used to lead the entire project. They can hire and control subcontractors such as carpenters and labourers in order to complete the work. Also, if building a metal design, a general builder is often the best choice due to the robust nature of their experience and labour price, which can be offered.

A general builder will usually cost around £100 to £150 per day to hire, depending on the level of job required, the skills they possess, and the amount of experience.

Carpet Fitter

After having a new staircase installation, carpet laying is often the next step unless you're leaving the wood exposed. Even if you already know how to lay carpet, when it comes to a new staircase it's best left to the professionals.

Hiring a carpet fitter will first measure the area in which the new carpet is to be fitted, provide the sizing for the required new carpet, and then once purchased will be able to lay the covering to the newly built staircase. A carpet fitter will usually cost around £100 to £120 per day to hire, depending on experience and level of skill.

If you're having your carpet fitted, you can make use of our new carpet cost calculator (per room), which gives you a quick and no-hassle way to get an idea of what this job will cost you.

Labourers

The most inexpensive form of tradesman, a labourer, should not be overlooked when costing the job. Usually, a specialist will provide their own personal labourer - however, you should be mindful of the costs to hire them.

The day rate of a simple labourer will usually be £60 to £80 per day. They are used for all the heavy lifting work, moving materials, and jobs that do not require a specific skill.

What Impacts New Staircase Costs?

The considerations when costing the price of constructing a new staircase, are: access, scale, and size of the project, and the complexity of your design. Each factor can either increase or reduce the overall cost of the project. Therefore, planning for these is essential when deciding on how to proceed with the build.

Materials Used

As we've already covered above, there can be a big difference in the cost of your new staircase, depending on what it's made from. Basic softwood staircases made from pine will usually be the cheapest, but if you opt for a hardwood construction, the cost of your staircase could increase by about 50%.

If you choose materials other than wood for your staircase, this could also increase the costs. Stairs made from metal, glass, and other non-wood materials can be more expensive, but a lot will depend on the size and complexity of the construction.

Ease of Access

When planning the construction of a staircase between floors, the ability to access the construction for your tradesmen is a serious factor. The ease in which materials are able to be carried to the site, through doors and around corners of halls should not be overlooked.

Secondly, when planning access, it is always important to consider how the staircase will be used. This should be considered while in the design phase of the project and usually will help to decide on the style of staircase chosen for the project.

Scale of Project

The chosen scale will help to determine the overall cost of your staircase installation. Scale means the length and width of each step, how many steps are there, and how high the staircase will be from the lower level. This is all decided during the design phase of the construction and will have a large effect on the cost of the project.

Complexity of Project

The complexity of a staircase can vary depending on the desired final design, materials chosen, and even the skills of the tradesmen hired to build it. The more complex a staircase design is the longer time, higher skill and more money it will take to finish.

For example, a straight staircase will take less time to construct than a U-shaped, or half-landing staircase. In addition, spiral staircase designs will take a greater amount of time and skill than a simple curved design staircase.

Decoration and Making Good

Once the staircase has been built, it will often require some form of decoration to be carried out. Decorations such a glass balustrades and stone or tile floor coverings will increase the build time considerably, increasing not only the labour costs but also the construction time required in general.

Often, when a staircase is placed against a wall, re-plastering may be needed. The cost to patch repair a wall with plaster starts at around £70, but can rise to £500 depending on the extent of the damage.

Furthermore, it is common to paint or stain the staircase to fit the desired design or aesthetic look required.

How Much to Replace a Staircase?

If you're simply looking to update an existing staircase, rather than fit a new one, you might be wondering how much staircase replacement costs.

Depending on the age, wear, and construction of the staircase, you may be able to just remove the old paint, sand back the wooden surfaces and repaint/re-stain them, instead of paying the entire staircase renovation cost.

However, if there is excessive wear or damage present, such as broken or cracked timber, you would want to replace the broken pieces. Timber costs for softwood replacement part are low, starting at around £20 per length of wood. These pieces can be easily cut to size and shaped, by either yourself or a carpenter.

Updating an existing staircase will save a lot of money, especially when compared to the cost of a new staircase.

The cheapest style of straight staircase will cost you around £750, whereas the staircase refurbishment cost will usually begin around £400. This is broken down into £300 for labour and £100 for materials.

If you wish to change the existing staircase features such as removing an under stairs cupboard, this will likely increase the price by the complexity of the job required.

For example, removing an under stairs cupboard, fixing a couple of broken steps and replacing a damaged bannister will usually cost around £400. This is broken down into 2 days of labour at £250, materials at around £150.

It is also possible to purchase a modular flat-pack kit, which is created in order to allow DIY enthusiasts to take on building a staircase themselves, although in some cases it is still recommended to hire a professional tradesmen of some description to help. This type of kit can be purchased directly "off the shelf" and as a result, you do not need to order them in advance.

Most suppliers will stock a few different models, most of which will be able to be put together and fitted within a single day. The cost of these kits will usually begin at around £250 for a single straight style, and increase to around £700 for a winding type.

Staircase Removal Cost

When you no longer require the use of a staircase, you will need to remove them. In addition, if you have an old, dilapidated staircase, you may wish to replace it with a newer, nicer looking safer build.

Removal of a staircase is a fairly simple process requiring a few basic elements, such as a skip or waste removal, some simple tools and a general labourer. Skip hire will usually cost around £80 to £150 for a single skip, and a labourer for a day around £100. The most important thing with removing a staircase is to be safe about it, and not to cause any damage.

Usually, when demolishing a staircase, for safety reasons, you will probably be best served in hiring a tradesman such as a general builder. They can usually provide all the tools needed and even dispose of the waste produced.

An average builder will be able to complete a staircase removal within a day. This means it would cost you an average of £250, including the skip hire costs and labour.

How Long Does it Take to Install a Staircase?

There are multiple factors, which can affect how long a new staircase can take to install. The most obvious being the complexity of the project, the size of the build, and the final quality of the staircase.

Choosing to build a complex U-shaped staircase will take almost twice as long as a single straight design, at around 3 to 4 days, compared to 2 days. A spiral staircase will take longer than a single straight design, at around 2 days for the straight, compared to 3 days for the spiral.

However, these factors will also depend on the level of complexity in the plan, the skills the tradesman possess, and the number of tradesmen working on the project.

What's Involved in Installing or Replacing a Staircase?

Even installing a simple, straight staircase can be a challenging and technical job. Your measurements need to be spot on and the fitting needs to be safe and secure.

This is why most homeowners opt to have their new or replacement staircase fitted by professionals.

It’s a good idea to get a number of quotes for your new staircase, and with MyJobQuote, you can get quotes from local staircase fitters near you that are fast, free, and with no obligation..

When you hire professional staircase installers, here’s what you can expect:

Before the Job Starts

• Initial Design and Measurements — The space for your new staircase needs to be assessed for the type and style of staircase you’re planning. Accurate measurements will need to be taken to ensure the new staircase will fit and that it complies with building regulations.
• Budget and Quotes — With a realistic budget for the materials, labour, and finishing costs, get a number of quotes from local professionals to find the right fitter for your project and the best value for money.
• Planning & Materials — Once you’ve confirmed the design, your installer will order the necessary materials, or they may fabricate the main staircase elements off-site, ready for fitting.

During the Job

• Removing the Old Staircase — If an existing staircase is being replaced, this will be dismantled and removed. Depending on the size and layout, this will usually take about half a day.
• Preparing the Space — To ensure a stable and level base for the new staircase, the floors and surrounding areas are adjusted, which may mean some minor structural and building work.
• Installing the New Staircase — The staircase frame is installed, along with the treads and risers. Handrails and balustrades are added, with all the fixings correctly installed so they are safe and secure.
• Safety Checks — With checks on the rise, going, head clearance, and handrail height, the fitters check that the staircase is safe and secure and conforms with the building regulations before finishing .

After the Job

• Finishing Touches — After installation is complete, the area is made good and the staircase is finished in the desired style, which will typically mean staining, painting, or carpeting to match the rest of the house.
• Building Regulations Sign-off — Either through self-certification by the fitter or local authority signoff, the finished staircase is inspected to make sure it meets the required regulations and safety standards.
• Final Clean-up — With the new staircase installed and signed off, the area is checked and cleaned, ready for the homeowners to use.

Building Regulations for a New Staircase

If you are having a new staircase fitted internally, then it doesn't usually require planning permission unless you are significantly changing the structure of the building or live in a listed property. However, it is still advisable to contact your local planning department, as they can provide free advise on your new staircase installation.

The key points to consider for any staircase design to match UK building regulations include a minimum step depth of 220mm, and step height of 190–220mm. The recommended width is 850mm, and headroom on landings should be at least 2.0m (reduced to 1.9m for loft conversions), and with a pitch not greater than 42 degrees.

You will need to contact your local building authority once the staircase installation has been completed to have it signed-off and confirmed building regulations are covered. It usually costs around £200 to have work approved, although some tradesmen are qualified to self-certify, or may contact your local council on your behalf.

Checklist: Hiring a Staircase Installer in the UK

Before you choose your staircase installer, there are a few things to consider. We have created a checklist of some important things to look out for when looking for a staircase specialist:

• How much does a bespoke staircase cost? – If you want a staircase that’s a step away from the traditional, the overall cost will be higher. The type, materials, shape, and design of the staircase all affect the final price.
• Have you received more than one quote? – Always request several quotes from different tradesmen. This is particularly important for bespoke staircase designs to ensure you’re paying a fair price.
• Do you have your quote in writing? – An itemised written quote confirms previous discussions and avoids hidden extras. For example, extra costs may apply for removing your existing staircase or adding features like glass balustrades.
• Are there any additional costs involved? – Check if your staircase installation includes waste removal or if you’ll need to pay extra for collecting and disposing of your old staircase.
• Are your tradesmen insured? – The most important consideration when hiring any tradesman is insurance. At minimum, they should have third-party liability coverage. Ideally, look for personal injury, property damage, and work guarantee cover.
• What qualifications do they have? – Depending on the tradesman, this could include CSCS certification, City & Guilds levels, or college qualifications such as HNCs.
• Do they have previous experience? – Evidence of past work is key. References, photos, or a portfolio demonstrate the tradesman’s skill and pride in their work.
• Do they have positive reviews? – Check their online presence and browse customer feedback. Look at their MyJobQuote profile to gauge both cost and testimonials from recent clients.
• What guarantees do they offer? – Most tradesmen offer some form of guarantee for their work in case any issues arise due to faults in the building process.