From the looks of this? You need to consider alternate plans for storage.: ) No to wheels.

What is it that is being stored below? A side access isn't possible? On the right?

Storing what? You might be better off putting a shed in your yard.

What are you storing there that needs to reached often? IMO either get better storage reachable andr just forget this area . Ther eis no way this set of steps could pass code either . it looks like atiny amount of storage so forget it before you kill yourself and the floor . Normally carwl space entry id from outside and honestly not odeal storage for much usually. I suggest you get a nice looking storage shed and forget this plan

Thank you everyone. We’re not looking to access the space daily, just wanted to store holiday decorations and stuff isn’t needed all the time. We have to get the encapsulation done because of other issues with the crawlspace and our contractor said once they’re done that it would also be able to be used for storage. We have a small house so we were excited to have a little extra space. The furnace is on the other side of the wall on the right so we can’t take that wall or access from that side either. The lower floor used to be a garage that the previous owners built additional living space on, so I believe the access used to be an exterior access but with the additional living area built, the access is now inside of the house.

I would have an opening for the crawl space put on the outside of the house. Thats where it should be anyway. There will be a door that goes over it out there, so you can lock it if necessary. Crawl spaces, never make good storage space, regardless how big they are. I have a nice sized crawl space, but, I would never store anything there. Have the opening outside made, so workers can go in and out from outside, and not in your house. insulate and board up the opening in the house, and put the stairs back and anchor them, so they are good and secure.

Realistically, what will actually fit/be accessible other than a few items at the front and reaching in further will be a feat in itself. Better options if feasible: garage or a shed.

If you need occasional access, ie: sump pump, you could remove the shelf/add a flush finishing piece and stairs can be lifted/ propped with a solid plank to support. If better alternative is pulling out, avoid scratching floor by laying down a thick plastic floor protector.

Could this work for you?

How about no? When the genius contractor suggested it could be used for storage, exactly how did HE plan for you to have access.?

The only possible way would be to narrow the stairs by a half inch on either side, to prevent wall scratches, and install a wheeled base, with a BAR at the foot of the bottom riser, cross the entire stair width, wall to wall, that prevents ANY roll out whatsoever.

That sounds like the best option and probably what we’ll end up doing, thank you! I never thought of the bar at the foot of the bottom!

Something with pistons or hydraulic lift that will make it easy to lift up? Need to be able to lock them in place when they are up or down. You would have to remove that shelf on the side to allow for the stairs to be lifted straight up.

Stop now before what ever you do costs more than new Christmas stuff every year . It is a bad idea get over it and buy a shed or suggest the contractor comes when you need access and he can do the work.

Seems like anything you store down there, even if ”encapsulated” is going to lead to a toxic mold disaster waiting to happen. Pass.