New Staircase Cost by Material and Type (Fully Installed)
Prices include removal of the old staircase, supply of the new flight and fitting. They exclude decoration, plastering of reveals or structural alterations to the opening.
| Staircase Type | Material | Supply Only | Fully Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight flight | Softwood/pine | £400-£800 | £1,000-£2,000 |
| Straight flight | Solid oak/hardwood | £800-£1,800 | £2,000-£4,000 |
| Straight flight with glass balustrade | Oak + frameless glass | £1,500-£3,000 | £3,500-£6,000 |
| Quarter-turn/L-shaped | Softwood | £600-£1,000 | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Quarter-turn/L-shaped | Oak/hardwood | £1,200-£2,500 | £2,800-£5,000 |
| Loft conversion staircase | Softwood (space-saving) | £600-£1,200 | £1,500-£3,000 |
| Spiral staircase | Steel/powder-coated | £1,500-£4,000 | £2,500-£6,000 |
| Bespoke/architectural | Steel string, glass, timber | £5,000-£12,000 | £8,000-£20,000+ |
2026 UK averages. London and South East typically 20-25% higher. VAT at 20% applies.
Key Factors That Affect the Cost
The wide price range reflects genuinely different scopes of work. Here is what drives the final number:
- Material: Softwood (pine/spruce) is the cheapest structural option. Solid oak or ash costs 2-3x more. Steel strings and frameless glass push costs into the thousands for materials alone.
- Design complexity: A straight flight is the cheapest to manufacture and install. Quarter-turn, half-turn and winder staircases require more bespoke cutting and longer installation time.
- Balustrade style: Wooden spindles are economical; metal balusters cost more; frameless glass panels are the most expensive and require specialist fixings and certification.
- Opening alteration: If the existing staircase opening needs widening or the header beam repositioning, structural work can add £500-£2,000+ depending on load-bearing requirements.
- Removal and disposal: Stripping out the old staircase and removing the waste typically adds £150-£400 to the bill.
- Building regulations compliance: All new staircases must meet Part K of the Building Regulations — minimum going (tread depth 220mm+) and maximum rise (220mm). Non-compliant designs require amendment.
- Loft conversion context: A loft staircase must have a minimum 2m headroom along the full length, which often dictates where it sits in the floor plan and may require structural work above and below.
- Location: London and South East labour costs run 20-25% above the national average.
Building Regulations for Staircases
Any new staircase — whether replacing an existing one or added as part of a loft conversion — must comply with Approved Document K (Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact). The key requirements are: maximum rise (vertical height of each step) of 220mm, minimum going (horizontal tread depth) of 220mm, a consistent pitch angle between 38 and 42 degrees for private stairs, and a minimum clear headroom of 2.0m measured vertically from the pitch line.
Handrails must be between 900mm and 1,000mm above the pitch line, and balustrading must not allow a 100mm sphere to pass through any gap — which governs spindle spacing. Glass panels must be toughened or laminated safety glass.
For a like-for-like replacement of an existing staircase (same dimensions, same position), building regulations approval is generally not required. Any alteration to the structure of the opening, a change in pitch or the addition of a loft conversion staircase does require either a Full Plans application or a Building Notice — your contractor should handle this. Approval typically costs £150-£300.
Pitfall: Buying Supply-Only Without Checking Site Dimensions
Off-the-shelf staircases are manufactured to standard floor-to-floor heights (commonly 2,400mm, 2,600mm or 2,700mm). If your ceiling height falls between standard sizes, the staircase must be modified on-site — adding cost and potentially affecting compliance with Part K rise/going ratios. Always measure the exact floor-to-floor height and confirm the staircase is manufactured to suit it, not the nearest standard size.
Loft Conversion Staircases: Special Considerations
Adding a staircase for a loft conversion is more complex than a straightforward replacement because there is no existing opening to widen — floor joists must be trimmed, a new trimmer beam or steel installed, and the opening formed. This structural work is typically quoted separately and can add £800-£2,500 to the total.
Space-saving alternating-tread stairs (paddle stairs) are permitted for loft staircases that serve only one habitable room, under Building Regulations Part K clause 1.30. They have a steeper pitch and a narrower footprint, making them popular where the available floor space is limited. Expect to pay £1,500-£3,000 fitted for a quality space-saver.
Budget Smarter Before You Buy
Our planner helps you set a realistic refurbishment reserve before you buy — factor in a new staircase alongside loft conversion costs, decoration and any structural works to get a clear total figure from day one.