Does staring at your outdated stairs make you want to climb the walls? You may be considering a staircase remodel or replacement.
A light staircase remodel could cost less than $1,000, while a total makeover could cost upwards of $6,000, according to the home services site Angi. But the average homeowner spends around $2,054.
Key Points
• Staircase remodels can cost from under $1,000 for minor updates to over $6,000 for complete makeovers, with an average cost of $2,054.
• Remodeling options include cosmetic changes like painting and adding runners, or structural changes like replacing handrails and spindles.
• DIY projects can save money, but professional help may be needed for structural changes or to meet building codes.
• Material choices, such as wood, metal, or glass, significantly impact the cost and style of the remodel.
• Proper planning, including budgeting for unforeseen expenses, is important for a successful staircase renovation.
How Do You Remodel Stairs?
That’s the million-dollar question, really (and no, that’s not a budget estimate). Staircases are the sum of their parts, and each part is an opportunity to increase visual appeal, the value of your home, and your home equity.
Not surprisingly, there’s no shortage of remodeling options. Cosmetic changes, like painting the vertical spindles, restaining treads or risers, or adding a bold carpet runner, can pack a punch without walloping your budget.
For an entirely new look, you may want to consider changing the bones of the staircase — think replacing handrails, spindles, or treads — or relocating the stairs. Those projects may require finding a contractor. That’s especially the case if you want your staircase to meet current building codes (important for safety and when you’re selling the house).
Understanding the project scope from the outset can help ensure that the staircase remodeling costs make sense. As you’re weighing your options, consider factors like:
• Budget
• Space
• Lifestyle
• Preferred materials and design
• Building codes in your area
• Whether you want to do the project yourself or hire a professional
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Staircase Elements and Materials
Being familiar with basic staircase anatomy and common materials can help you refine project goals and have productive conversations if estimates for the job are required.
The focus here will be on interior stairs.
Treads
The stair tread is the part of the stairway that is stepped on. Treads are often made of wood, although they may have another layer on top, such as tile or carpet.
Risers
Stair risers are the vertical pieces that connect the treads: the piece of the staircase in front of your toes as you’re walking up. Risers might be made of wood or an engineered wood product.
Spindles (aka Balusters)
Spindles, or balusters, provide vertical support for the stair railing. Traditional staircases might have wooden spindles, while a more modern stairway might have metal balusters.
Handrails
Also called a banister, this part is simply the rail where you put your hands. Wood, composite, and metal are all standard, although there is room for creativity.
Newel Posts and Caps
The heftier vertical posts that go in line with the spindles and create endings to the railing are the newel posts, and the cap is the decorative element that tops the newel.
Handrails start and end at the newel posts. Materials mirror those of the spindles.
Guardrails
Guardrails must be installed at open spaces on stairs or landings.
Landing
A landing is a horizontal platform that begins or ends a staircase or serves as a transition between changes in stair direction.
Popular Materials Used in Staircase Renovations
The material you use to renovate a staircase can have a big impact on your budget. Let’s look at four common options:
• Wood. A popular choice for good reason, wood stairs tend to be easy to clean and maintain, though costs can vary based on the type you use.
• Metal. Want a sleek, modern-looking staircase? Think metal. It’s durable and fire resistant, though you may need to give it some extra maintenance to prevent rust.
• Glass. Airy and surprisingly sturdy, glass is another top choice for stairwells, particularly the railings. Clean-up is a breeze — just wipe down the surface. However, the material may be prone to scratches.
• Concrete. Concrete is easy to maintain and customize and can stand up to lots of foot traffic. But the material can be expensive. According to Angi, wooden steps run around $100 to $200 per step; concrete steps cost $200 to $600 per step.
Estimating the Project Scope and Cost
Before you embark on a stair remodeling project, it’s important to gauge what it will involve and how much it will cost. To do that, consider the changes you’ll be making, the materials you’re planning to use, potential labor costs, and the cost of fees, permits, etc. It’s also smart to make a budget and include a little extra to cover any unforeseen expenses.
These stair makeover ideas will give you a good starting point. Minor upgrades can likely be done yourself. Others will require a licensed professional, who can provide you with a quote.
You may also need to take out a personal loan to finance the job, unless you’re paying cash.
Painting the Stairs
Using paint made to withstand wear and tear is essential for the paint job to last. Look for floor, deck, or heavy-duty paint. Water-based, not oil-based, paints will prevent discoloration, especially on light colors.
Painting stairs requires proper preparation (cleaning and sanding), protecting neighboring surfaces, and possibly priming so the paint will adhere correctly. Count on an average of $400 to paint the stairway, handrails, and balusters.
If this is a DIY job, a gallon of latex paint will average $20 to $60. Polyurethane to help protect the new paint finish might start at $50 per gallon. Sandpaper, paint rollers or brushes, tape, and drop cloths could add up to $80 or so.
A new paint job, perhaps using light and dark colors on different parts of the staircase, will go a long way toward making it more inviting. Painting just the risers a bold hue can add interest, and some people even create a painted runner for their staircase renovation.
Refinishing Stairs
Refinishing stairs is a much more daunting task than painting. This involves stripping the current finish with solvents and sanding, which is easier to do on flat stair treads than turned spindles or vertical risers.
You’ll want to check for lead paint before you start stripping the paint.
You’ll need paint stripper ($70 per gallon and up), a premium heat gun (as low as $45), a power sander and sandpaper ($60 to $100), heavy-duty rubber gloves and a respirator mask ($50), and a scraper (as low as $8) to strip the original finish. Oh, and lots of time and patience.
If you’re getting bids to refinish hardwood stairs, the width and length of every step, along with the rise of each, will factor in. The price to refinish hardwood stairs and railings ranges from $4.50 to $8 per square foot for materials and labor.
Replacing Staircase Components
Swapping elements like spindles, newels, caps, and handrails for a different style can dramatically change the overall look of a staircase.
If the staircase has historic elements, getting spindles or other pieces to match other elements in the home might require custom work if replacements can’t be found through architectural reuse or salvage sources.
Replacing carpet-covered treads with wood treads can rectify an outdated look, but realize that you may have to contend with lots of nails and staples under the carpet. A contractor might charge $2 to $20 per stair to remove the carpet.
The balusters will have to be replaced if you’re replacing the treads.
Here are some average replacement and installation costs, according to HomeAdvisor:
• Handrail: $900
• Newel post: $35 to $550
• Balusters: $1,200 to $1,600
• Treads and risers: $1,800 to $2,500
• Carpet runner: $500 to $2,000
Expect to pay from $50 to $100 per hour on labor, and factor in any necessary permits, HomeAdvisor says.
Another source puts the cost of replacing the treads and risers at $3,000 to $4,000, including the work of master carpenters. Yes, you’ll see a range of estimates out there. If you’re getting bids, a lot depends on where you live, your choice of materials, and the size of the project.
Total Replacement
Completely replacing a staircase is logistically and financially complex, but a millennial homebuyer, for example, might want floating stairs with open risers rather than a chunkier look.
Consulting a building or remodeling professional, such as a licensed construction engineer or residential architect, about safety and fire codes and potential structural implications for the home is a good step to take.
The cost to install a main staircase averages $2,400 to $4,000, according to Angi. But the site gives a range of $8,000 to $12,000 or more to put in a floating staircase, so only bids will narrow the true cost of replacing a staircase or installing a new one.
Competent staircase installers may cost as much as the staircase itself.
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The Takeaway
Improving your main staircase can have a major impact on the look, feel, and function of your home. Stair makeover ideas include the fairly simple (think a fresh coat of paint or staining the treads) and the wow-worthy (custom balusters and floating stairs).
Whether you’re sprucing up your existing steps or installing a brand-new staircase, you’ll want to consider your space, budget, lifestyle, and whether you’ll do the work yourself or hire a pro. The cost of a staircase remodel ranges from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Installing a new staircase will typically require several professionals. If a staircase remodel or new staircase install is on your mind, one way to get quick cash is with a personal loan.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
FAQ
How much does it cost to redesign a staircase?
An architect and contractor may be required to structurally redesign a staircase. A staircase remodel, if done by the homeowner, could cost less than $1,000.
How do I modernize my stairs?
Consider changing out dated handrails. Paint can take years off.
Add a punch to the risers with eye-catching paint, tile, or even wallpaper. Consider a bold-colored or -patterned stair runner that allows the stair treads to be exposed at the edges.
A dramatic light fixture at the top of the stairway will offer both illumination and arty interest. And stair cladding — covering the treads and risers with wooden floor planks — will create a big transformation.
How do you renovate stairs on a budget?
Making less expensive changes, like adding a coat of fresh paint, replacing spindles, or adding a runner, can completely change the feel of a staircase — and the living space that surrounds it, making a house feel like a home.
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