stairs in old house

[scchin]

Hi,
Is it possible to build new stairs in an old house with beamed ceilings? Is there anything we should look out for?
There is currently a set of stairs to the bedrooms upstairs from the kitchen, but we would like to move it to the lounge, mainly to make the kitchen bigger and compartmentalise it as it could be a fire escape hindrance.
Does anyone know the rough figure we should be paying out for this?
Thanks!

Chin
______________________________
lynda, moderator

please note forum rule 9

 

[noseall]

pricey job.

if the new stairs can be installed whilst the old are still in place, then this will obviously benefit.

you need 2m headroom from the tread tip to stair ceiling or trimmer.

stair spindles should be less than 100mm apart at their widest point.

hand rail is 850mm high going up the stairs and landing handrails are 900mm horizontally.

use adequate size timber when trimming the stair opening. it's not uncommon to double up the trimmer for strength.

i would imagine upwards of £3000 to do the building work with electrics and maybe heating on top.

 

[scchin]

wow...£3000 or more. is pricey job. Thank you very much for your advice though.
Will get more info once (and if) we get the house!

Chin

 

[Parsjoinery]

I am sure the whole project will cost you more



Mod 3,

Please read Forum rules 7

 

[scchin]

more than £3000? Is that the usual price to put up a stairs? (ie, moving from kitchen to lounge). What would the main bulk of the price be for?
Now, this is really going to affect if we are buying the house or not

 

[snozzer]

more than £3000? Is that the usual price to put up a stairs? (ie, moving from kitchen to lounge). What would the main bulk of the price be for?
Now, this is really going to affect if we are buying the house or not

It all depends, if you could fit a preconstructed set from screwfix, then its a couple of days work, but, as is the case with many old properties, the opening, ceiling heights etc are not standard, then you will need to have the stairs manufactured as a one off. So, it could be £1000 for a standard set, or £3k+ for a bespoke manufactured. Do you want hardwood, fancy newells spindles etc, they all add up.

 

[scchin]

i see, thanks. think we'll measure the ceiling height in our next viewing....
WE just wanted the simplest and cheapest option. Would spiral stairs be cheaper?

 

[snozzer]

....

Doubt it, they are usually twice the price

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Moderator's note:

Snozzer, please try not to repeat the previous post every time.

Use the "Reply" button not the "Quote" button.

Mod Rupert
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[scchin]

thanks again snoozer....so realistically, we're looking at £3000 for the materials alone and more for the labour? Labour around £1000?

 

[JohnD]

You are asking him to guess a price without seeing the job?

How much is my watch worth?

 

[scchin]

very quick
just for general jobs...

 

[noseall]

don't forget scchin, there is the small matter of removing the old stairs and filling the floor and ceiling in..... making good skirtings......plastering...etc...etc.

 

[Bayard]

scchin, have you thought of having the old stairs removed carefully and reusing them? Unless there are steps in the ground or first floors, the floor - to-floor height should be the same. Dunno whether the stairs would have to comply with building regs if you did this, after all, they are not, strictly speaking, new. OTOH they may comply already.

 

[scchin]

that is a good idea, but i think it's a little shorter as the kitchen is a little raised. Still, we may be able to salvage something. Well, looking at house again this saturday, so we'll do some measuring. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[Deluks]

If you are planning to redecorate either of these rooms anyway then that will be less work for the builder when it comes to making good. You could probably save a little by employing a good experienced local carpenter and offering to be his labourer throughout the project.