First, the height of the first(bottom) riser and the top riser needs to be measured. Riser height is the distance from the floor to the top of the first tread for the bottom step, the distance from the tread of the last step to the landing at the top of the stairs, and the distances from one tread to another for the rest of the steps. That will tell if the treads have to be replaced or new treads added.

The reason for this is the code for stair riser height and riser height differences. Basically, riser heights have to be from 4" to 7"(International Building Code). Most stairs in the US are close to 7" plus/minus 1/2". The maximum difference in riser height can be no more than 3/8" for all the riser heights.

Tread depth needs to be a minimum of 11".

If the stair construction does not allow treads to be added, the existing treads have to be removed and replaced with the desired wood treads.

if you imagine the stairs are all 7 inch rises right now. You add some wood to the top of the first tread, now it is 7 + the thickness of the new wood. Now the step before the last step has wood on it so the riser is now 7 inches - the thickness of the new wood.

Cost wise I was surprised when a flooring guy told me it was just the normal cost per square ft (around $10 sq ft). I doubt he was counting the stair nose as those are very expensive. about 50 for 94 inches. If your stairs are 31 inches wide each tread costs $16, plus the plain square footage of all the risers and treads.

If the risers are 7 inches X 31 and the treads are 10 deep x31 , maybe 17 steps.

300 for the stair nose and $450 for the stairs themselves. Maybe around 800-1000.

I had also heard 100-200 per step, so it could be 1700-3400. :)

Do you know what is under the carpeting. Sometimes there is good wood under there, and all you need to do is clean, sand, and refinish. My daughter took the carpet off her steps, and everything underneath was oak, and in great shape.

Those stairs will be WELL ABOVE the prices quoted by Anthony C. No offense Anthony! I would TRIPLE the numbers quoted from Anthony C and then add another 50% - 100% for the type of stairs you have.

You have carpet that is wrapped on 2 sides (front AND sides) for 70% of the stairs. And then the other 30% have THREE sides that are wrapped. That is a LOT of cutting and trimming out. A LOT. And you have a landing and a turn.

And because this is a code issue, you will probable need to work with a finishing carpenter and not just a flooring guy. Some flooring guys will be comfortable doing this and others will suggest working with a finishing carpenter.

Finishing carpenters are the most expensive guys in the "wood" world. They come in just a snick cheaper than an electricians/plumbers. So be prepared to have a $7K - $10K stair case.

Most economical = carpet. After that, a solid finish (wood, cork, vinyl, tile, stone, etc) will require all the extras. Painted stairs will work...with plenty of elbow grease and with the FULL UNDERSTANDING the paint will wear/chip/"patina" inside of a few years.

There are ways to lay a runner on the stairs and then trim out the edges of the tread/riser with wood-looking stuff. This will cut the cost in half of what I mention above.

The other option is to place the runner and PAINT out the edges....creating a faux-painted-wood look which could be very handsome yet extremely practical.

Notice how carpet keeps on coming up again and again? Yah. There's a reason for that. Those are builder grades stairs made for carpet.

Composite meaning.....? Laminate? Same problem as wood. And then you have the HORRIBLE mess that is "faux wood" against real wood.

My house was built in 2005 and I currently have builder grade stairs from my foyer to the second floor that are completely carpeted, with half walls. I would like to replace the wall with rails and I want wood stairs with a carpet runner down the middle from top to bottom. My question is, " will everything have to be removed and rebuilt from scratch" in order to

Yes.

Thank you so much Ms. Wheeler, if you don't mind can you explain to me why everything have to be removed beside the half walls and carpet? I have no clue as to what's under the carpet or what to expect when I replace my staircase.

Roxanna, You will only have to remove the carpet, cut back the rough nosing and the walls on the new open side if the stairs. When you cut the walls down there will be some reframing to do. You will not have to re-frame the entire staircase from the ground up.

There are way too many variables to be able to make an estimate of the cost without being there in person. This could cost $5,000 or $15,000. Find qualified carpenters and/or contractors and get their ideas. Ask yourself what you really want.

Thank you