How To Move Basement Stairs

How To Move Basement Stairs
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: July 17, 2022
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

Perhaps you don’t even think it’s possible to move a basement stairway because it seems like such a difficult task. So, before leaping, you don’t need to be intimidated or uncertain. Remain calm! To help you complete your project effectively, we provide you with the most useful information.

Moving your basement staircase takes much planning and is not a simple task. It cannot just be one of your other DIY projects. Excitingly! The specifics of how to approach your basement remodeling job are covered.

Why Do You Need To Move Your Basement Stairs?

The current placement of many homeowners’ basement stairs is frequently found to be ineffective. In many cases, they would think of transferring such. The current floor plan does not adequately integrate or complement how the stairs are built and planned.

To accommodate more living space, a room must be built. As part of your strategy to give your basement a dramatic facelift, you believe that shifting the stairs is your final resort. If you want an open floor plan and the stairs’ placement impedes the room’s flow, you can shift the basement steps.

The steps impede natural light or create a barrier when there should have been a continuity of space in the room.

Steps To Move Basement Stairs

1) Demolish Old Stairs

Due to the nature of the staircase’s construction, this deconstruction task will probably take the longest time. If the steps are constructed between or beside the walls, you might need to take one or both down. And the majority of basement stairs are firmly fastened.

2) Choose The New Stairs Location

You cut through floor joists at the top floor to create a hole for the new stairs. To give temporary support before the stairs are completed, you should also build a temporary wall out of studs close to the anticipated top floor opening.

3) Install Stairs At New Location

You will select the framing for the new steps in this stage. Depending on your restoration design, you can decide to add or upgrade the stair steps. Verify that the new steps’ dimensions adhere to building codes. When the stairs are properly positioned, you can remove the temporary wall.

How you want your living area to look after shifting the stairs will determine how you should execute the project. It is extremely typical to complete the entire basement rather than just the area where the stairs once stood to give the area a more cohesive appearance.

Things To Consider Before Moving Basement Stairs

Before beginning your basement renovation, it’s important to know the building code and the size of your steps. To ensure that your basement project is completed successfully, it is always advised to hire a building inspector or engineer.

They may advise you on potential obstacles preventing your new stairs from complying with the code. The structural engineer can also advise you on other issues, such as whether the new position of your stairs will meet requirements for headroom, landing space, and other elements.

Analyze Your Basement

The walls and floor frames of the basement that will be impacted by shifting the stairs must be examined. Your structural engineer can complete the task if you are unfamiliar with these structural components. The layout of your house’s blueprint should be useful because it contains useful information.

Check For The Plumbing Or Other Defects

In many cases, wiring lines run through the attached basement walls. You might need to reroute those wiring if you take the walls down. It would be very helpful to have a blueprint for your basement’s electrical setup.

Not just the electrical lines are to blame. Additionally, if there is plumbing or other equipment tied to the impacted basement walls and you need to reroute it or move other equipment that is difficult to move, you may need to plan carefully.

Determine The Basement Stairs Moving Cost

Two contractors would be needed for the project to relocate the basement stairs. This also covers the finishing touches for the old and new locations. Basement stairs are typically less expensive than the steps on the higher floors of the house.

The lower pricing places a greater emphasis on utility and safety than beauty. The cost of moving the stairs primarily depends on how much of the walls were torn down and whether or not the initial steps’ materials could be reused in the new site.

The new stair treads will cost the most money. The cost will rise if you build or purchase new stair stringers. Even more, it will be spent on manufactured treads.

Conclusion

The operation’s complexity and the cost to fit your budget may lead you to believe that basement stairs relocation is your last option when renovating your basement. Make sure your steps comply with local building codes before starting the project by seeking professional assistance.

Above all, both advantages and disadvantages of the project exist. Instead of buying new supplies, you might recycle your old ones. With more living space, it can substantially change how your basement looks. The project also comes with high labor costs.

To conclude the project, you must obtain finishing supplies for all impacted surfaces.

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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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