Hardwood Stair Cost Factors
The final cost of installing hardwood stairs depends on various factors. L-shaped staircases will be more expensive, or you can save money by opting for prefinished hardwood stairs. The cost can also depend on whether you choose to refinish existing wood stairs or completely replace them.
Replacing Carpet or Flooring
To start, removing carpet costs $75 to $300. A carpenter might not tackle this part of the job but you can hire a handyperson for $60 to $65 an hour.
Once the carpet is gone, you’ll pay $100 to $200 per step. For 10 to 12 steps, this costs $1,080 to $2,700, including carpet removal.
Staircase Style
Many staircases are straight, but more complex designs, like L- or U-shaped staircases, may cost at least $3,000 for the extra framing. Spiral staircases cost an average of $10,400, and floating stairs can cost $5,000 to $30,000.
Improving Subfloor or Structures
Updating the subfloor or structures costs around $1,000, or about $1.50 to $7 per square foot. The subfloor is the foundation for the hardwood, so it is important to choose a high-quality subfloor that will support the flooring. If the subfloors are in good condition, you may not need to repair or replace them.
Refinishing vs. Replacing
It costs $40 to $75 to refinish a step. For 10 to 12 steps, this costs $400 to $900. You can sand hardwood floors with a machine, but stairs are smaller and require more time and attention.
You could save money by refinishing your stairs and floors all at once instead of paying for them separately. Refinishing hardwood costs anywhere from $970 to $1,250 per 300 square feet.
Prefinished vs. Unfinished Wood
At first glance, it seems like unfinished wood is less expensive at $400 to $900 for about 10 steps, while prefinished wood costs about $700 to $1,000 for the same amount of steps.Â
But prefinished steps come ready to install, where unfinished wood will need to be sanded and finished during installation, increasing the cost of labor. Unfinished wood is best if you want custom stairs, which can cost up to $30,000 for the finished project.