Move Staircase sideways

[joe91]

Hi,

I need to move my staircase sideways a couple of inches to allow clearance between a new handrail to be fitted and an upstairs wall.

The stairs was a straight flight up to a 'half-landing' in front, with one further step up to the left straight into a bedroom, one step up on the right to the landing. There were originally walls on both sides of the stairs, with handrail on the right between newell posts / landing banister.

I've taken the left hand wall down, and removed the right handrail & newells, to be replaced by a newell / handrail on the left. The problem is, if I install the handrail as it stands, it will be too close to the left upstairs wall to grip the rail properly. Ideally I need to move the staircase 2-4 inches to the right.

Can anyone advise how difficult it would be do detach & refix the existing staircase, particularly at the top? Most of the woodwork is currently exposed from the top & sides, but the plasterboard is obscuring underneath, so I'm not sure how it's fixed. Would I have to hit hell out of it with a big hammer to get it off?

I was going to fit the handrail & put up with it being too close, but I'd really like to do it properly if I can.

I've already cut a newell post for the bottom (though it took me ages), so I could do another for the top, which I guess I'd need to.

Grateful for any advice.