Hardwood Stairways

ron schenker

People are really starting to get away from carpeting and replacing it all with hardwood here in my neck of the woods. I'm doing alot of ceramic, laminate, and hardwoods, and I'm now thinking of getting into hardwood stairs. It's in big demand now and I know it's not cheap and there's an artform to doing it right, especially on custom stairs.
How is this business doing in your area?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Big Dave

I do a few from time to time. I charge $1400.00 labor only.

edit: this is for treads and risers only, with one landing.

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Grainywood

People want it but here in San Francisco where the stairs are built like stilts in some houses with gobs of paint layers (not good for refinishing), I try to tell homeowners to just put carpet on it because of the risk of falling. If it's a newer house, sure I encourage them to put down hardwood stairs.

I charge anywhere from $85 to $150 a step treads and risers labor only. Landings are separate. The bigger the step, the more it costs. If it's one of those rounded custom steps, it's way more. But I don't do the railings or spindles.

The NWFA said they might offer a class on just stair building. I'm looking forward to that.

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Donedat

I do it time and materials with a 30% markup on the materials. Sometimes stairs were built for carpet so the have to be reworked to receive hardwood. My average staircase runs about 2500. And that is basic. If they want skirt boards or any other extras...well thats time. So the staircase could easily get up to over 3k

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PrecisionFloors

I am starting to do alot more of them here lately, it seems....have three sets to do in the next month or so. I also get ~ 30% markup on materials, but I charge by the step labor-wise. It is anywhere from 50-150 per step depending on boxed or return(s), spindles, finish required, demo of old treads/risers, carpet removal, etc., etc. There are ALOT of variables involved.
Something that I have not done very much at all, save for the odd step or two here and there is re-finishing old hardwood stairs. I would like to hear some input from those of you that do as far as pricing and finishing materials used.

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

PrecisionFloors

I would like to hear some input from those of you that do as far as pricing and finishing materials used. Hey guys a little help here?

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Big Dave

As far as pricing I try to charge as much as the market will bear. For finish material I use Bona Kemi floor finishes.

__________________
Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

Fauker_9

How do you just charge $1400, I dont think that I have charged the same amount for a staircase yet, each one is so different.

PrecisionFloors

Thanks Big Dave. Do you use Traffic on stairs? I have one coming up and so far that is the finish I intend to use as I need something durable with a quick dry time.

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Donedat

I use Synteko Classic on steps. I usually prefinish the treads and risers for the first coat and then install them. About 1 gallon per coat with a little left over. I never itemize the cost of glue nails and finish. I just throw the numbers down and try to be efficient with the install.

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I admit...I don't know everything...but don't tell my kids I told you.

BULLHART

Its booming here. I put a grand staircase with oak treads/riders, and newells, rail, and balustry in almost every home. Some of the broads prefer white risers with oak treads. I wish my flooring guy would do the treads for me, and save me some time. Then i could just do the balustry work.

Big Dave

Honestly I've only done two or three, I can't remember, but between those they all worked out to $1400.00 labor only and only for treads/risers and one landing.

__________________
Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

d.janvrin

Bullhart
Im With You
white risers with oak treads.White Ballast, Oak Rails , But How Do You Keep Them Dam White Risers Clean. Bootprint Free .I Normally Build NEW Houses 2-5 a Year. And Untill There Sold, 3-7 Months . I Repaint Risers almost Monthly . DAMN REALTORS with Black Boots

BULLHART

LOL, I hear ya. I put a paper runner down the steps during open houses. Only about 2' wide so that they can still see the steps, but keep there damned kick marks off of them..

ron schenker

How do you paint the risers without getting paint on the treads?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

d.janvrin

Very carefully
Only have to paint some scuff marks. most clean off with windex.
paint on poly treads get wiped with water and rag a.s.a.p. or sooner

StairBuilder

"ballustry" is not a word! "Balluster"-picket "Ballustrade" is the whole rail system: newels, rail, ballusters. Sorry I just can't help myself...

J&J Home Imp.

I have only done one set up to this point and it was 13 treads all boxed. I think I did that one for $800 but it was cake. i should have charged a little more but I did it in 6 hrs and it was my first time so I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I am bidding on 2 right now that are looking like the $2500-$3500 range depending on material.

J87513

Oh dude, when I was visiting a relative of mine, I met one of her friends who did custom wooden staircases in NYC who was a true craftsman and he was a millionaire.

747

I think there dangerous. I fell down some hardwood stairs years ago. They were SLICK and i only had sox on. Luckily i was half way down before i went crashing the rest of the way on my back.