Staircase Cost Guide – How Much Should You Budget for a New Staircase?
The right flight of stairs will bring your home’s entrance to life – but what can you get for your money? From purely practical to statement designs, Chris Batesmith speaks to the experts about what to budget for your new staircase
Scoping out all the potential options is an important part of the process – after all, the right set of stairs will define your home’s entrance space and set the tone for the rest of the interior decor. The sky’s the limit in terms of what can be achieved (and what you’ll pay for it), but broadly-speaking prices can be bracketed by how bespoke you want to go. If you’re after the lowest cost, then standard stair kits – easy to order online by punching in the dimensions – are the way to go. Next up is higher quality made-to-order designs.
At the top end are bespoke, individual-designed flights – which are often the go-to for those working on high-spec individual self builds. There’s crossover between each price bracket, of course, and numerous options in terms of materials and specification that will impact on the final price.
If you’re on a very tight budget, these entry-level products are a cost-effective option – and generally available for delivery in under a week – but your design choices can be limited. Prices can range from around £300 to £400 for a bare-bones 12-step flight constructed with softwood stringers and MDF treads and risers.
Depending on the space, you’ll also need to factor in elements such as newel posts, spindles, handrails and sundries (fillets, fixings etc). Taken together, these are likely to push supply-only costs over the £500 mark for a bog-standard straight flight. Adding a turn in the flight could cost around £250.
Designed and installed by Stairbox, this U-shaped oak staircase features two quarter landings and a plush grey carpet runner for a cosy feel. The flight features an embedded glass balustrade with timber posts
You can have the stair supplied in kit form for you or, more likely, your trades to assemble. So, be sure to factor in labour costs and remember that, with this route, your team will be responsible for getting the measurements right. Designs with turns and winders are always supplied in kit form.
If you’re going for plain softwood, you’ll need to paint or varnish the timber and carpet the flight – which will add to the final cost but can be an opportunity to add some individuality. You may require landing balustrading, too. Upgrade to materials such as oak treads and stringers and you can easily triple the supply price (think £2,000+).
Made-to-order staircases are a popular option for self builders and renovators, offering significantly more personalisation, and the opportunity to make a statement. You’ll get the chance to customise a wide range of off-the-shelf flights to better suit your requirements, typically by mixing-and-matching elements from the manufacturer’s pattern book.
This tailored approach gives you access to a specialist supplier who will usually offer a free measuring service (perhaps initially from your plans, but invariably on site, too) and technical advice for the design and installation. You’ll also get to choose from a much wider selection of high-quality materials for the components of your new stair.
This cantilevered staircase by Bisca is central to the design of the oak frame self build home. Featuring raised grain oak treads and a concealed mild steel structure, the flight twists around a curved wall – and is beautifully finished with a low-iron glass balustrade and oval oak handrail
Your flight will be built to order and provided with the requisite parts and accessories, so expect lead times of around 4-10 weeks. Most suppliers have a network of approved installers you can access or you can source your own trades to install the flight.
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Prices for made-to-order staircases can start from under £1,500 for a decent furniture-grade pine staircase, rising to more like £10,000 to £20,000 for complex designs, such as half-turn flights using hardwoods (such as oak), metal stringers and the like. At this end of the scale, you’re moving closer to a bespoke staircase.
Which staircase did we specify for Build It’s Self Build Education House?
Completed in late 2019, Build It’s real-life Self Build Education House is set over three storeys and features three different styles of staircase to give you an instant opportunity to understand the cost implications of your choices, and allocate your budget appropriately. Here’s what went into our flights:
Feature staircase
Our main flight, leading up from the entrance hall to the first floor, is a Kloepping design – this is a bespoke solid ash stair with a structural glass balustrade. To achieve the floating effect, it’s anchored into the wall with steel bolts and support blades. We spent £23,000 including the landing balustrade – but a flight-only design would have cost around £15,600.
Attic kit staircase
The access to our loft space is tucked away on the first floor, behind a fire-rated door – so it’s not instantly visible and didn’t need the wow factor of our basement and main flights.
We choose a plain pine half-turn kit from Stairbox, shown here during installation by our contractor’s joiners.
We spent £1,356 on our attic flight (£756 on the kit and £600 on labour).
Basement flight
Designed, manufactured and installed by Kloepping TSS, our basement flight cost around £5,900.
It features finger-jointed ash treads and risers made up of dozens of smaller interlocking profiles, which is cheaper than solid wood.
Timber handrails and steel spindles allow light to filter through at a lower cost than structural glass.
If you’ve got the budget and want unrivalled individuality and wow factor, a bespoke staircase will be right for you. You will have access to the full gamut of materials options – from high-end timbers through to glass, metal, stone and concrete – as well more unusual features such as helical shapes, floating stairs and more.
What really sets bespoke flights apart, though, is that you’ll engage an experienced designer-maker for a service that looks in depth at all your requirements. This runs from complementing your home’s architecture and decor to working through practical considerations such as headroom and how the flight interfaces with the main building (this is particularly challenging on conversion projects, for instance).
Designed by Max-Stairs, this bespoke staircase features a central metal spine with solid oak, 110mm steps. The spindles and core structure have been finished with a sleek black powder-coated finish
Many bespoke stair specialists will be keen to work with your architect in the early planning stages to help you get the most out of your flight. Often, the same craftspeople who create your flight in the workshop will go on to install it on site – giving you the security of a comprehensive design and build service.
Costs and lead times will depend on the scale of the project, intensity of the design process and quality of the materials involved. Here’s what you can expect to budget:
Straightforward bespoke staircases typically start from around £7,500.
Floating or cantilevered bespoke staircases can cost upwards of £15,000.
Helical staircases can cost £20,000 and beyond.
Highly-individual bespoke staircases can cost £30,000-£60,000 or even more. While that may seem like a hefty investment, in the right setting it will underpin the finished value of the entire project.
CASE STUDY Barn-style timber frame home with a steel and glass staircase
After self building a holiday home on the Isle of Wight, Murray and Lucy Humphries were looking for a new project – this time to relocate to the countryside. The couple stumbled across an opportunity to convert a steel frame barn under Class Q permitted development rules. This offered the couple a blank canvas to create what they were after, plus having planning permission already approved was a huge positive.
Photo: Alistair Nicholls
The Humphries decided to place a new timber frame structure (from Frame Technologies) inside the existing portal frame – which has no supporting role in the finished property. Murray took on the role of project manager and was keen to get involved with as much of the build as he could. With foundations ready at the end of February 2023, the timber frame erection team started on site at the beginning of March.
Photo: Alistair Nicholls
The biggest challenge turned out to be the staircase. The couple were after a modern flight that brought wow factor as soon as you entered the house. They wanted a bell-mouth sweeping staircase in steel with glass sides and oak handrails.
The couple allocated £25,000 to this feature but couldn’t find anything that truly fit their design goals and budget. After searching the internet, they ended up purchasing the staircase via eBay, from a staircase manufacturer based in China. “It was stressful when the staircase arrived in a 20ft container that we had to unload in two hours, including fragile crates of glass,” says Murray. “But with the support of my son, we put it up together and it looks as good as if it were professionally installed.”
Unless you’re going with a specialist bespoke firm, installing a staircase falls within the remit of a carpenter, who will usually charge on a day rate (you can currently expect to pay around £250-£350 per day).
Build It readers Freddie and Katie Pack opted for a Siberian larch staircase for their self build, designed by RX Architects, which adds a sleek, Scandinavian feel. Photo: Richard Gadsby
Most flights arrive flat packed and ready-to-assemble – but there’s still a good deal of skill involved, both at design stage (including ensuring compliance with Building Regs) and on site.
As a guide, a professional team should be able to install a simple straight or quarter-turn flight in as little as a couple of workdays. Fitting the newel posts, spindles, handrail etc will typically require at least another day. You can expect the process to take longer (and the labour costs to rise accordingly) if you’re taking on a more complex project – especially if any structural work is needed or where an existing flight needs to be removed.
Staircase cost FAQs
What else should I budget for beyond the staircase itself?
If you’re renovating and replacing the staircase, you need to budget for the old flight’s removal or disposal. A skip could cos around £300 per week. We’d also recommend factoring in any works surrounding the staircase, such as making good any damage from the installation. This could include plastering, repainting and any new flooring required.
Answered by Darcy Attrill
Darcy Attrill is an estimator at David Smith St Ives. David Smith St Ives designs and manufactures a wide range of bespoke structural and architectural timber products.
How much value can a new staircase add to a home?
While adding a new staircase itself doesn’t directly increase the house’s value, it will, however, provide the best first impression when entering the property, and boost the house’s overall quality and feel. Nine times out of ten, the staircase is the first thing you see when walking through a front door.
Answered by Darcy Attrill
Darcy Attrill is an estimator at David Smith St Ives. David Smith St Ives designs and manufactures a wide range of bespoke structural and architectural timber products.
What questions should I ask a staircase supplier before agreeing to a quote?
Here are some questions I’d recommend asking your supplier:
Make sure they only use sustainably-sourced timber in their products.
Ask to see examples of other staircases they’ve manufactured. You can often see case studies on their website or galleries of previous projects.
Check customer reviews of their products and services – positive reviews from tradespeople are a good indication that the staircase is likely going to be good quality.
You should ask for drawings of your new staircase along with your quote – double check the dimensions on the staircase design and whether they’ll fit your space properly.
Answered by Mike Walker
Mike Walker is managing director at StairBox. StairBox is a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of timber staircases and stair parts.
Where should I spend and where should I save when specifying my staircase?
Spend on pre-primed components – they provide the perfect surface for painting, offering a smooth, flawless finish and avoiding any bleed-through of knots (which is otherwise very difficult to avoid). Whilst oak stairs and glass balustrades look great, a painted staircase with spindles can create just as much impact for a fraction of the cost.
Save by opting for MDF treads and risers if you’re going to be carpeting the stairs. This value-for-money material is perfect for staircase construction and, contrary to what people may think, is equally as stable as timber but with a lower price point.
Answered by Mike Walker
Mike Walker is managing director at StairBox. StairBox is a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of timber staircases and stair parts.
Chris Batesmith is Castle Media's Content Director. A former Editor of Build It magazine, he's a trained carpenter and experienced renovator and self builder.
He has turned his hand to everything from plastering and tiling to plumbing and electrics, and recently project managed the completion of Build It's very own Self Build Education House.
Chris has dedicated the last 14 years to championing self build. He is an expert and speaker at the Build It Live shows, and chairpairson of the Build It Awards.
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