Are you growing a little tired with your existing staircase or is it in need of repair or replacement? Whether you fancy a change of aesthetic or your old staircase has seen better days, there are plenty of options available to you.
Whether you opt for a complete staircase renovation or choose a replacement staircase, you must consider the cost to you and if a new staircase complies with building regulations.
Because an entirely new staircase is a big job, many people tend to choose a staircase refurbishment, but how much does it cost?
Continue reading this guide from staircase renovation Eastbourne experts to find out a staircase refurbishment cost.
What is a staircase renovation?
A staircase renovation is the process of updating the appearance of your staircase by repairing issues, repainting the stairs, replacing any parts, and adding new features.
Quite often, there is little wrong with the actual frame of the staircase, so it makes more sense for many households to simply renovate their stairs.
With staircase renovation projects, you can change the staircase design and create an entirely new aesthetic appeal in your home, without ripping out and starting from scratch.
How much should you expect to pay for a staircase refurbishment job?
First of all, it’s important to understand that the staircase renovation cost depends entirely on the condition of your existing staircase. If it has lots of issues that require repair before any renovation can take place, the price you’ll pay will increase.
There are plenty of considerations when pricing up your staircase refurbishment, such as:
- Wet or dry rot caused by an underlying damp problem
- Old or damaged paintwork
- Loose or broken balusters
- Creaking and worn treads
- Previous failed renovation attempts that require fixing
- Loose handrails and spindles
If you do need new parts, they’re not as expensive as you may have first thought.
According to Checkatrade, it can cost between £45 and £120 to purchase a new handrail or bannister, while spindles can be around £90.
If you require any new timber, this will have to be included in the price of the staircase renovation, too.
As well as your additional parts, you’ll have to pay for the services of a professional – unless you’re renovating the stairs yourself.
The average daily rate for a carpenter in the UK, according to Checkatrade, is around £200, while a painter and decorator can set you back around £190 per day. While staircase renovation can take between two and three days, depending on the level of work required, you’re looking at a few hundred pounds in labour costs alone.
Once all the refurbishment has taken place, you may want to add a new carpet to your staircase. For a straight staircase, the price of your carpet will be slightly less, but it’s still another addition to the budget. Installation for a straight staircase carpet can cost around £100.
Of course, this price can go up or down depending on the quality of the carpet you choose.
Don’t ignore staircase building regulations
When ripping out your entire staircase and replacing it, staircase regulations must be followed.
Staircase renovation also requires you to comply with staircase building regulations, but what are they?
Staircase building regulations for the UK include requirements for headroom, handrails, pitch, and landings. In terms of headroom, there must be a minimum of 2 metres from the base, up the staircase, to the landing.
In some circumstances – like a loft conversion – the roof at the top of the stairs may be slightly slanted, reducing some headroom. The headroom can be a minimum of 1.8m at the low-ceiling side of the stairs and a minimum of 1.9m at the centre of the staircase.
The building regulations for handrails, pitch and landing are:
- Pitch – the maximum pitch for a staircase is 42 degrees.
- Landing – landings must be level and clear of obstructions and must be at least as wide and long as the smallest width of the staircase.
- Handrails – staircases wider than 1m but have handrails on both sides, while ones narrower than 1m must have a handrail on at least one side. Also, handrails must prevent a 100mm sphere from passing through any gaps.
If you choose professionals to renovate your staircase, they will know all about these regulations. But, if you’re doing it yourself, ensure you’re checking all of these regulations.
Choose Abbott-Wade for your staircase renovation
So, are you interested in transforming how your home looks with a staircase renovation? At Abbott-Wade, we’re experts in staircase renovation and boast more than 25 years of working in the industry, enhancing thousands of homes all over the UK.
A staircase refurbishment can be a lot more cost-effective than completely replacing your stairs, but whatever you prefer to do, speak to Abbott-Wade and we’ll help you.
Our expert team can help you from the first call, talking you through your options, and the type of service we can offer you. After an initial survey of your home, we can price up the job and the materials so you know exactly how much your staircase renovation will cost.
If you’re keen to get started, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
