New Staircase Cost

Last updated 1st July, 2024

How much does a new staircase cost?

Find out in our detailed staircase price guide (on average you're looking at £600 to £6600) where we cover the labour prices of stair installation, different types and shapes of staircases, such as an open stair case and classic straight staircase, as well as fitting timeframes.

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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.

Staircase Type Avg. Cost
Straight £600 - £1400
L-shaped £700 - £1600
U-shaped £950 - £2050
Winder £950 - £2250
Middle landing £1100 - £2500
Spiral £1600 - £6600


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

Material Avg. Cost
Softwood £600 - £1100
Hardwood £1550 - £2550
Metal £1450 - £3450
Stone £1950 - £3450
Concrete £2600 - £3600
Glass £3100 - £4600


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:

Staircase Type Avg. Cost
Straight £300 - £1100
L-shaped £400 - £1300
U-shaped £500 - £1600
Winder £500 - £1800
Middle landing £500 - £2000
Spiral £1000 - £6000


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

Material Avg. Cost
Softwood £300 to £800
Hardwood £1100 - £2100
Metal £1000 to £3000
Stone £1500 - £3000
Concrete £2000 to £3000
Glass £2500 - £4000


Additional Costs

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

Description Avg. Cost
Handrail/Bannister £40 to £120
Balustrades £30 to £150
Carpet £5 to £40 per m2
Wooden flooring £20 to £50 per m2
Laminate flooring £15 to £30 per m2
Plastering £70 to £250 per wall
Redecorating £300 to £500 per room


Cost Breakdown Calculator

Individual cost to supply & fit a standard straight staircase - Total Cost: £1400

60%

Materials
£550

10%

Trademen
£300

30%

Design & Manufacture
£550

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

  2. 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.

  3. Stringer installation

  4. 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.

  5. Threads and risers installation

  6. 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.

  7. Handrail installation

  8. 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 Type Pros Cons
Straight - Easy to install
- They blend in easily
- They don’t always require a landing.
-They take up a lot of space.
- Do not offer a good level of privacy on other floors.
- They are not the safe staircase option.

L-shaped - They offer privacy to the above floors
-Helps with noise reduction.
-One of the safest stair options.

- Can be difficult to install
- A support structure is required for the landing
- Handrail design is complex.
U-shaped -Can make your stair space more unique
- They offer versatile designs
- They have landing space to enhance the look of your home
-The most difficult staircase to build
- The openness of this staircase can be dangerous
- It will take up a lot of space
Winder -They take up less space
- A more interesting staircase design
- Offers a seamless aesthetic
-Handrail installation can be difficult
- A central support is required
- Not as safe as other stair types.
Spiral - The compact design helps to maximise space
- Creates a luxury feel in your home
- They can add value to your home
-Can be difficult to navigate
- Installation can be complex
- Their steep design can be dangerous


Staircase Materials

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

Staircase Type Pros Cons
Softwood - Lighter wood can lighten up your home
- Light colours create the illusion of space
- Softwood is one of the most affordable options
- Requires more maintenance
- May not last as long as hardwood
- Susceptible to scratches and dents
Hardwood - Long- lasting material
- Low maintenance
- One of the most durable staircase materials
- More costly than softwood
Metal - Iron and steel staircases are highly durable
- Long- lasting material
- Not susceptible to denting
- They are more expensive than wood staircases
- Regular waxing is required
- The appearance of the metal can diminish over time
Glass - Create a modern and sophisticated look in your home
- Glass can enhance the light in your home.
- Offers the illusion of space
- Susceptible to cracking
- The surface can be slippery
- Not the safest option for households with children
Concrete - Prefabricated concrete stairs are easy to install
- One of the most stable and durable materials
- One of the best options for traditional properties
- May not work with modern interiors
- Precast concrete stairs are one of the most expensive options
- Building can be difficult due to the weight of the materials
Stone - One of the easiest materials to maintain
- Stone has a long lifespan
- Offers a luxury aesthetic
- Stone staircases can be expensive
- Long time frames for construction of steel stairs
- May not work well in traditional homes


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

There is a set of specific building regulations regarding staircases which cover the technical specifications to ensure safety. The regulations clearly detail the shapes and dimensions along with the clearances required.

Even details such as handrails and balustrades are covered. If you’re simply replacing an existing staircase like for like, then you’re unlikely to encounter many problems with Building Regulations as the dimensions should be very similar.

But for new staircases in additions to buildings like loft conversions or extensions, you are making a significant change so you will need to ensure the new staircase complies with regulations.

You will of course need the check with your local authority , but the key measurements are a minimum depth of step of 220mm, recommended width of a staircase of 850mm, headroom on the landing of at least 200mm, and the pitch of the staircase should not exceed 42 degrees.

In older, period properties be advised that there are many instances where the existing staircases/balustrades do not conform to modern day building regulations, they are often too narrow and/or steep by today’s standards.

So, a straight like for like replacement in these circumstances will probably not be possible, as the replacement staircases must still conform to regulations currently in force, space permitting.
A bespoke designed staircase built from plans drawn up by an architect will take up to 10 weeks before the actual manufacture of the staircase begins, the build and install of the staircase could take up to another 4 weeks. But in most cases, a basic made-to-measure staircase can be produced within a week and it will take a carpenter a couple of days on average to fit a new staircase. But don't forget to allow some time for the existing staircase to be removed, which will probably take a full day.
A lot depends really on what other timbers are used around the home and the look you want to achieve. Whether you intend to carpet or paint the stairs is a factor too. Pine is a cheap entry level timber choice with hardwoods like Beech, Oak and Ash being the most popular hardwood choices.
The rule of thumb is you need an opening that is 100mm larger than the diameter of the staircase itself. But bear in mind the recommended width of a single staircase is 850mm. It is likely that you need more room than you think at first glance!
Building regulations state that the handrails on any staircase must have a height of at least 900mm.
The majority of staircases have a width of at least 800mm, while secondary staircases should have a minimum width of 600mm.
The average angle of a staircase is around 37 degrees, with building regulations stating a maximum of 42 degrees.
The majority of staircases have between 13 and 17 steps.
It is possible to move a staircase; however, it is vital that building regulations are met and the gap where the original staircase was placed is filled in.

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/