askjake

Stair project cost

Question from Mindy: 

Jake - my husband and I are looking to purchase a 1940's cape-style home in NJ. Currently the stairs to the second floor are directly off of the kitchen and only about 3 feet from the back door. The stairs going down to the basement are on the other side of this - off of the dining room. There is about 5 feet of useless space in front of the stairs to the basement. What we'd like to do is move back and switch the direction of these stairwells. We'd like to make the stairs to the basement accessible from the kitchen and create a better staircase to the upstairs from the dining room. In your estimate, what would be the cost to move this entire set-up back about 5 feet and reverse the direction of the stairs?

Jake's Answer: 

Mindy,

In our area, it would run around $15,000 to complete a project as you described.  This would be a turn key price – everything included. 

Cost to replace a staircase

Question:  what is the approximate cost of replacing a basement staircase-nothing fancy, just an MDF or plywood type staircase that would be painted?

Jake's answer:  A staircase to the basement, from the first floor to second floor??  Not a lot of information here?  Sorry I can not answer with out more information. 

Removing the walls at a stairway

Question:  Wonderful website and so full of information! I have a question about my staircase. I am in the process of opening both walls, they were closed. We have removed the drywall and have the bottom double studs on both sides and a 2x4 stud about every step and a half. I am planning on opening it up to the 5th 2x4. I should metion that I would like to keep the bottom double 2x4 supports and just column them in...But, Can I safely remove the other 4 studs and open the stairway up to about halfway? I hope this all makes sense. Thank you so very much for any help you can give. It has been a pleasure surfing around your website!

Jake's Answer:  Thank you for the nice comments about our web site.  It's nice to get the feedback, especially when its positive.  To answer your question:  You can remove the studs only if they are not carrying the load of the overhead joists.  This is a hard call to make for someone that is not well versed in residential framing construction.  I would bet that if the house was built this way originally, that the studs are load bearing.  To remove the studs, you will have to double up the rim joist at the removed studs.  This will make it a concealed header, and add joist hangers at each joist.  Again, this may have to be done by a qualified framing contractor.  Don't forget to temporarily support the joists while completing this work. 

A custom hand rail system

Question:  I\'m helping my daughter with a repo 1970\'s split level. The stairs in the entry way are missing handrails and balusters. Was wondering if there is something like 1x2 wood that could reach form ceiling to floor for handrails for the stairs? It could be a unique we hope. Is there a name for this could it be built? Thank you Brenda

Jake's Answer:  Brenda, that's nice of you to be helping your daughter with her new home.  Fortunately your daughter most likely was able to take advantage of some of the good buys that are on the market today.   There are some very specific building regulations that dictate how hand rails will be installed on residential stairways.  If your stairway is over three steps, then you must have a code compliant hand rail system.  The hand rail must be set at 36" above the nosing of the tread(the part you walk on).  The handrail must be of a certain size to accommodate the hand and the ability to grab the rail.  Most pre-made hand rails comply with these specifications.  The spindles must be set so a 4" ball can not pass through them.  If your 1x2 wood system meets all of these requirements then you are good to go.  I have not seen this type of system installed.  It would seem to me that the 1x2's would have a tendency to warp in that kind of distance.  2x2's would probably work.  Nicely finished 2x2's would probably have to be custom made by a wood shop.  Good luck. 

Stairway re-work

Can a steep stairway to the 2nd floor bedrooms be changed?  My mother is aging and the steps are too steep and not wide enough.  The stairway off the
dining room and is enclosed by two walls on either side.   Any suggestions
and if so, a broad range of cost?  She doesn't live in your area,  but I'd
appreciate any advice.   Thanks.       Hope

Hope,

I always say anything can be changed, it's just a matter of how much you are willing to spend.  To reduce the height on a set of stairs you are going to increase the length of the stairway.  When you increase the length of the stairway, you most likely will impact head clearance  and floor clearance issues.  To increase the width on a set of stairs, you will impact the walls in the adjoining rooms as well as the floor above.  This type of work is very involved and will require the help of a planner such as an architect and a capable and experienced remodeling company.  The remodeling company should be able to give you an ideal of the cost.  Good luck