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December 1, 2008
BASEMENT STAIRCASE QUOTE
Hello, been quoted over $3K to create a new staircase to our newly concreted basement. Should it cost that much for a pine staircase - one straight flight?
Can anyone recommend a local carpenter who would underquote that figure? Trying to shave down our reno budget.
Thanks!
PS Or would concrete and cinder block be a better (cheaper) idea?
Thanks
Comments
I would think 3K is quite reasonable for one flight of pine stairs. It would cost a lot more for oak. Go for it.
Concrete / block staircase would not be cheaper, but would add a huge, huge amount of weight, and would be a b*tch to demolish and remove should you or the next owner decide to do so. I would not install one of those indoors, even if the basement is utility-only, not live-in.
Posted by: Sputnik13 at December 1, 2008 5:19 PM
I would think that pine is too soft of a wood. You would be better off with popular if you get a good stain person.I would recommend Joe Salem. He has done a massive amount of work for me. Applying a special base will give it a wonderful stain, pine doesn't stain as well.
Posted by: Giovanna at December 1, 2008 6:05 PM
That sounds very inexpensive. It's so low that it raises many questions for me. You can't even really get the materials for much under that price.
Posted by: superstooper at December 1, 2008 7:05 PM
superstooper, I think the OP is talking about stairs to his basement, i.e. his cellar. All you need are the two stringers and treads, with a railing on the non wall side. You don't need anything fancy. Simple outdoor deck type stairs in pressure treated lumber would do it in my opinion, and that certainly shouldn't cost $3k for supplies, or for the whole job.
Posted by: 1842 at December 1, 2008 7:27 PM
Nicksull,
I have a friend who did complete gut reno of a three family. He was his own GC. Three pine stair cases (with a turn) for 4500 installed. He stained and finished himself. Look much nicer that expected. I will try to get the number.
I am a designer and builder. It is all relative to the type of stair you want. I am building my own open stair case for my house. Center support with 40" x 10" x 5" thick treads and 2.5" open space rise. Materials will run about $100. Treads were from salvaged beams - free. My labor ??
3000 for pine? sounds a little high.
Superstooper,
I know pine has gone up in price, but where are you buying it that it would cost 3000 for enough to build a pine stair case?
Posted by: pig three at December 1, 2008 7:32 PM
Please call me, we have done a ton of these standard pine cellar stairs and beleive the cost is a little high, we can take a look at it for you and provide you with a quotation.
Regards,
Al Rosario
ACR General Contracting
(917) 573-3304 - AL
(646) 372-0099 - Junior
Posted by: alrosariojr at December 1, 2008 8:22 PM
$3000 does sound high - a carpenter plus helper should be able to complete the job in half a day, and I haven't bought 2x10's in a while, but $500 should do for materials at the outside.
The people talking about poplar and stain - I don't think they get that this is a cellar stair. Some preservative might be called for, but certainly not poplar.
I'm actually interested in your concreting -- how much you paid psf, and if you were happy with your contractor. We're considering doing this with a new house, but it seems a little pricey given that it's not truly necessary. Advice would be lovely!
Posted by: jb312 at December 1, 2008 11:44 PM
I'm curious about concrete job costs for your basement. Can you give some details on costs/contractor, etc. We're looking to do something like this as well.
Posted by: werner at December 2, 2008 12:08 AM
I have a 1885 brick 4 floor one family house. The entire 1st floor is an open row showing the entire stair-case basement - 2nd floor. So it was important that the stairs all look the same. The first 1-3 floor stairs are red-oak with popular risers. The basement - 1st floor 12 steps were done in popular (much cheaper). All having the same stain. Only a trained eye can tell the difference.
So I don't understand when it was mentioned that Some preservative might be called for, but certainly not poplar for cellar stairs?
Posted by: Giovanna at December 2, 2008 9:22 AM
That sounds a bit high. Try calling Joseph Rene. He's a great carpenter that I have hired to do several jobs in my own home and has always done a fantastic job. He built an entire deck with two staircases at a friend's place. I can't tell you what the work will cost, but I doubt $3K. You can reach him at 347-526-4627. Tell him Chris from Decatur Street referred you.
Posted by: cmontgom at December 2, 2008 1:18 PM
I wouldn't use poplar for stairs. Way too soft. As far as pine, some of the pines like long leaf yellow pine will be fine, but something like white pine will be the same problem, it will wear very quickly. If you want a closed tread stairway with risers, pockets cut for the treads, etc., no, it doesn't seem unreasonable to me. If they are going to scab some supports onto a 2x10 and nail treads onto that, yeah, it seems high.
Posted by: Bond at December 2, 2008 5:23 PM
Bond,
Long leaf will cost more than oak. Wears better and looks nicer but not the economical way to go.
Posted by: pig three at December 2, 2008 8:43 PM
try shane deary - that's me - im a local carpenter and could give you a better price than that (assuming job is exactly as youve described) and do a better job. if you havent found someone already, my number's 917 495 7120 - easy to work with, reliable, and clean !
Posted by: chinaspice at December 2, 2008 8:53 PM
I may be mistaken, but I'm under the impression that Longleaf pine is the same thing as Southern Yellow Pine which in a pre-made 5/4x 11 1/4 stock with a bullnose goes for about six dollars a running foot. You're not going to get poplar any cheaper, unless you're buying in bulk. Home Depot, not that I think they have the best lumber prices, but they don't have the worst either, charges about six dollars a running foot for 1x8 clear poplar.
Posted by: Bond at December 2, 2008 9:52 PM
try this company. they do great work.
www.thetinkerswagon.com.
347-813-9635
Posted by: jasonstonestreet at December 8, 2008 11:01 AM
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