Renovating a Staircase Cost

Whether your staircase is in disrepair or you want to bring it into the twenty-first century, you'll need to know how much it will cost overall. You'll also want to know whether you can do it yourself or if it's best left to the pros.

To give you a rough idea, the cost of a staircase remodel will be around £140 on average.

Are you ready for a quote for your job?

We have a range of local carpenters ready to offer you a free quote!

You can also find and hire a painter and decorator to help, depending on your staircase refurbishment needs.

We'll go over everything that you need to understand about renovating an old staircase in this article into a new modern staircase.

How Much Does Staircase Refurbishment Cost?

The total price for staircase renovation depends on various factors which include staircase measurements and design and the number of turns and newel posts and landing dimensions and staircase wall position. The typical price range for staircase renovation work in the UK spans between £1,500 and £2,500.

A quick refresh, like repainting the woodwork or laying down a new carpet, will be at the cheaper end. If you’re replacing spindles (often in the £800–£1,500 range) or having a new bannister fitted (usually £400 to £900), the price goes up. Go all out with a complete replacement staircase, and you’re looking at £4,000+.

Labour is a big part of the budget too. Carpenters typically charge around £200 a day, and painters or decorators will usually be somewhere between £150 and £250 a day. Yes, it adds up, but the difference is you’ll get a staircase that’s not only safer but finished properly, which is the kind of job you don’t have to redo a year later.

Staircase Renovation Prices

Supply Only Costs

Your staircase is frequently a focal point in your home, so it’s worth making it look good.

Without labour costs, a handrail might be around £70, spindles only a few pounds each, and cladding anywhere from £15 per step. Carpet and paint can look cheap on paper, but without the right tools and experience, fitting them can be tricky and mistakes often end up costing more to put right.

That’s why most homeowners call in a tradesperson. You choose the style, they handle the tricky part, and you’re left with a staircase that not only looks great but will hold up to years of daily use.

Find Tradespeople, compare up to 3 quotes!

It's FREE and there are no obligations

Get started

Additional Costs

Custom Staircase

If you get a custom staircase, the price will be a bigger investment. This includes both labour and material costs. The final price will be determined by the staircase type, the installation size, and the materials used.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of installing a new staircase.

Carpet Fitting

Carpet costs can seem low at first, but fitting and underlay quickly add to the total. Once everything’s included, a small room will usually start at around £210, while a high-quality carpet in a mid-sized room can reach about £3,360.

The type of carpet makes a big difference. Underlay has a minor cost impact but improves comfort and lifespan.

Twist polypropylene carpets are the most popular. This is because they are reasonably priced, long-lasting, and come at various price points. For example, a mid-sized room with this type of carpet could cost as little as £250 or as much as £1,760.

Labour Costs and Timescales

There are many labour costs included in the overall cost of your renovation. Here we will go over the different labour costs and timescales.

Carpenter

The labour cost will vary depending on where the carpet is being installed. A simple rectangular room will cost between £60 and £80, depending on the size. The job usually takes 2 to 4 hours. The cost and time will increase if the room has many alcoves or is an unusual shape.

Staircases are difficult and time-consuming, which means they can be more expensive. The more turns there are in the staircase, the higher the cost. So you can expect to pay between £75 and £120. Carpet installation on a staircase typically takes 12 hours.

Painter

Across the UK, daily rates range from £150–£300, with London and the South-East often at the top end. Smaller stairwell jobs will be charged at around £15–£40 per hour

Because paint needs time to dry between coats, a staircase typically takes about 8 hours of work, spread across four days. As a result, painters frequently collaborate on larger works.

Hiring a single contractor might have appeared to be the most cost-effective option. However, this almost always means that the job will take more time, save little time, and, in some cases, cost more.

Labourers

When estimating the cost of a job, the cheapest type of tradesman, a labourer, must not be overlooked. A specialist will usually provide their labourer; however, you should know the costs associated with hiring them.

A simple labourer's day rate is usually between £60 and £80 per day. They are used for heavy lifting, material moving, and jobs that do not require a particular skill.

Ask a Trade

Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.

Ask your question

Cost Factors of Renovating a Staircase

When renovating a staircase here, there are multiple cost factors; we will run you down to what could increase your overall cost.

Materials Used

Hardwoods, such as oak, are typically much more expensive than softwoods. Oak is very popular among British homeowners, but because many stairs are now carpeted, it doesn't matter much from a visual standpoint.

Oak is frequently used when revealed in more expensive properties. If carpet is used, joiners will often use engineered wood products because they are less expensive and stronger. MDF, plywood, and chipboard are examples of these products. Stairs in houses built before the 1990s were frequently made of softwoods such as pine.

Site Access

Tradesmen who enter your property must have easy access to the building to transport materials to the job site and through doors. This affects the time tradesmen must spend on-site and, as a result, labour costs.

Existing Staircase Removal

Please keep in mind that the prices listed above do not include the removal of your existing staircase, so ensure you discuss this with the contractor or expert you hire.

Fee for Building Control Officer

A Building Control Officer must inspect and approve your staircase before signing it off if everything meets Building Regulations. You should budget around £200 for this.

This should not apply if only repairs or replacement of specific staircase parts are required instead of replacing the entire staircase, but it's best to check with an expert just in case.

Location

Labour costs are generally higher in London and the south of England than elsewhere. Therefore, they may charge an additional fee if the contractor must travel beyond that radius. However, you shouldn't have to pay extra unless you live in a quiet rural area or want to use a joiner who operates further afield.

Staircase Types

There are many different staircase designs to choose from. As a result, it's a good idea to think about the most common ones and when it's appropriate to use each one.

Straight stairs are the most common, simplest, and least expensive type of staircase. Quarter and half turn staircases save space, increase privacy between floors, and can be more visually appealing.

Half-turn staircases with a large landing area can benefit elderly people and care facilities who need a break while climbing the stairs. Winding and spiral staircases both look great and take up little space. Spiral staircases are made of metal and have intricate designs. Winding staircases can connect multiple floors.

What's Involved in Renovating a Staircase?

A tired and old set of stairs can be transformed into a statement piece for your home with a little imagination. Furthermore, a remodelled staircase may entice potential buyers. Here, we'll go over what's involved in renovating a staircase so that you can decide whether or not you can do it yourself.

Reinstalling Your Handrail

Replacing stair parts is an efficient way to update your home without causing too much disruption or expense. Depending on the type of staircase you intend to update, replacing the handrail may be all that is required to refresh a tired-looking staircase.

Try replacing worn treads or risers with wooden stair-clad treads and risers. Stair cladding is the most recent innovative solution for homeowners looking to convert their staircase without buying and installing an entirely new staircase.

Instead, use high-quality stair-clad products and basic DIY skills to create the oak staircase look.

Painting

Paint the treads, risers, spindles, newel posts, and/or handrails of your staircase to give it a new look and life. Before applying new paint, sand down the wood surface to remove any existing varnish or paint and then utilise a stain-blocking primer to seal any knots.

For the best results, apply two coats of semi-gloss. A carpet runner can be an excellent solution for your stairwell renovation needs.

Make Use of Carpet

Another option is to cover up your worn-out stairwell with carpet. With various styles and colours to choose from, carpet can be used to make a bold statement that guests will remember.

Fitting a runner section of carpet down the centre and then painting/varnishing exterior sections works wonderfully if your treads and risers are in good condition.

To deal with the high traffic volume that stairs are typically associated with, we recommend using a high-quality, hard-wearing underlay or carpet such as coir or sisal.

Pale-coloured carpets brighten up living spaces but make most stains difficult to remove. Therefore, a grey colour may be more appropriate. Alternatively, use stripes to make your staircase appear longer.

Paint The Stairwell

Paint can be an inexpensive way to improve the appearance of a tired-looking staircase. However, before painting, it is critical to prepare the stairs. We recommend you start by cleaning up any debris and then sanding the areas you intend to paint until the wood is nice and clean.

Ensure the paint you use is floor-rated; the higher the quality, the better. There is no definite answer regarding the colour you use; we discovered that dark colours are the best at concealing dirt and marks. A final coat of clear urethane is recommended for added durability.

Can I Renovate a Staircase Myself?

A staircase refurbishment job will almost always necessitate specialised tools, skills, and experience. Of course, this assumes that if you have the necessary skill set, you should leave it to a professional. However, depending on your DIY skills and abilities, you may be able to tackle some jobs. Here are a few examples of these tasks.

Staircase Painting

If you want to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your asset and add a touch of modernisation, a fresh coat of paint might do the trick. But, first, make sure you've thoroughly sanded the surfaces to eliminate any existing varnish or paint.

Risers or Loose Threads

If you are not a qualified carpenter or joiner, consult with an expert about any loose or worn treads or risers. This is simply to ensure the safety of your staircase. After the repairs have been completed, you can now decide on any finishing touches for your staircase design.

Cladding on Stairs

If you want a wooden finish for carpeting, stair cladding is the way to go. It is visually appealing and provides an excellent cosmetic solution for dull treads and risers. In addition, cladding completely transforms your staircase without needing to replace the entire unit.

Although some of the work can be done independently, hiring a professional is best to avoid disappointment or extra costs. You can begin budgeting for the project if you know some of the costs you're likely to incur for a replacement staircase. It's also a good idea to get quotes from other local contractors.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Renovating a Staircase

Building regulations must be followed when adding or changing staircases. It’s easy to see why, as poorly built stairs can be dangerous. If you’re renovating an existing staircase that doesn’t meet today’s standards, you should be able to replace it with one that does.

There should be at least 2 metres of headroom above the pitch line (1.9m in lofts). The pitch can’t be steeper than 42° and there must be landings at the top and bottom, at least as wide as the stairs. Standard staircases are usually around 860mm wide, though loft stairs can be narrower.

Each step should rise between 190mm and 220mm.

Measurements for the Staircase Handrail Parts

Handrails are required if the staircase is over 600mm, with balustrades fitted anywhere there’s a drop of 600mm or more. Handrails must be at least 900mm high, and spindles should be close enough that a 100mm sphere can’t pass through.

Types of Staircase Renovations

Painting a Staircase Cost

The cost can quickly add up when painting the staircase, the multi-angled existence of stairway design and construction.

The average cost of painting a staircase with minor preparation costs between £350 and £450.

To prime and paint one staircase and cover 74.5 sq. ft. of land, the cost of adding a single colour of paint to a 52 sq. ft. stairway with handrails can vary from £225 to £700.

Each post will range in price from £3 to £17 per linear foot. Most stairwells have one or two bottom posts measuring 36 to 42 inches. Posts are an essential component of a safe and visually appealing stairway.

As part of stairway painting projects, these posts are frequently painted. To avoid paint drips on the rest of the stairwell, painters must cover it all around it. Several coats are taken to obtain nice, smooth colour. Because posts are smaller than walls and stairs, painters apply paint with a brush.

A professionally painted staircase costs between £4 and £12 per linear foot. Stair railings are typically 5 to 10 feet long and run the entire length of the staircase. The cost of the painting project may vary if a specific type of paint is required or if the railing has an intricate design that necessitates small brushes and more time.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to do
• ✔ Simple and Effective

Cons

• ✖ Can take more time

New Bannister Cost

Whether your bannister is in poor condition or you simply want to update it, you should know how much it will cost. In addition, you'll want to know whether you can do it yourself or if you should hire a professional.

If your staircase has wet or dry rot because of an underlying damp problem, you may only need to repair and replace loose or outdated handrails and spindles. On the other hand, you might want to 'refresh' your stairwell. In that case, a fresh coat of paint or a new carpet installation will suffice.

A new bannister is not cheap on average. Bannisters are built to exact specifications that must comply with Building Regulations. Furthermore, due to the regulations, stairs should be installed by experts.

As a result, neither constructing nor installing stairs is a task for an inexperienced do-it-yourself. Even fixing a bannister, you should leave it to a professional because understanding building techniques are essential before safely repairing one.

The cost of construction and installation will vary depending on size, style, and material. However, depending on how complex the design or placement turns out to be, the overall cost could be more than £5,000 or more.

For example, a timber staircase, glass or metal bannister, or a combination of more than one material in the same staircase can be made from different materials.

Pros

• ✔ Freshens up your staircase

Cons

• ✖ More Expensive

New Stair Carpet Cost

Carpeting can improve the functionality of builder-grade stairs (stairs that exist solely to move people up and down, with no regard for aesthetics). Unattractive stains are difficult to repair because they do not lend themselves to painting. Carpet works wonders on these stairs.

Carpeting will ruin beautiful hardwood stairs because the tack strips must be nailed down, creating holes in the wood.

The type of carpet and the material used can significantly impact the price. The underlay has a minor cost impact but should not be overlooked because it affects the feel and life of the carpet.

Pros

• ✔ Comfort feeling

Cons

• ✖ Expensive

Hiring Contractors for Renovating a Staircase Checklist

There are a few things to think about before hiring a staircase renovator. We've put together a checklist of things to look for when looking for a staircase renovator specialist.

• Qualifications – Depending on the tradesman hired, qualifications may include CSCS certification, City and Guild levels, or even college-level qualifications such as HNCs
• Insurance is the most important factor to consider when hiring any tradesman. Check that they have at least third-party liability insurance that covers building work. At the very least, you should look for a tradesman with a personal injury, property damage and works guarantee insurance
• Previous experience – Evidence of previous work is also important to consider when hiring a tradesman. If they have previous client references, photos, or a portfolio of their work, it will demonstrate that they are proud of the level of skill they can provide
• Guarantees – Does the tradesman provide any type of guarantee for the work they will perform? Most will offer in some way to ensure that you are satisfied with the work before they leave. However, looking for a tradesman who offers a five-year or longer guarantee may be worthwhile. Then, if any problems arise in the future because of flaws in the construction process, you are covered, and they will correct their mistakes at no cost to you

FAQs

Sources

https://www.blueprintjoinery.com/blog/how-to-refurbish-your-staircase-on-a-budget/
https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/buildingregulationsk.htm