My husband and I just put an offer on an old 1939 house that has had multiple upgrades. There's a set of narrow carpeted stairs wedged between two walls leading up to the finished attic, which includes two large bedrooms. The stairs are quite narrow and don't meet current safety standards, making me feel unsafe, especially with our three kids—two of whom are very clumsy. I'm looking for ideas on how much it might cost to replace these stairs with a proper, safe set that won't break the bank. We're not looking for anything fancy, just something secure enough for the kids!
1 Answer
It's tough to give an exact number without seeing the space or knowing where you live, but if the stairs need a full overhaul, especially given the age of the house, you're probably looking at a price range of $75,000 to $150,000. This estimate includes hiring a general contractor for an assessment, which might cost around $2,500. Then add another $5,000 for engineering plans and bids, especially if structural changes are necessary. Just be sure to get someone out there to assess everything in person!

Whoa, $75k to $150k sounds super high! Did you mean $7,500 to $15,000? That’s a massive jump!