What factors are there when thinking of redoing stairs with hardwood?
I was thinking of new oak treads on the stairs but they wanted $27 (!)for pre-made treads at HD. Are most new treads pre-made or builder made? I am thinking it might be best to buy some oak, a router and do them myself.
A friend called me after getting a quote on hardwood on her stairs. She has carpet on it now and the treads are plywood. $130 (CDN)each stair for labour alone to install hardwood! Is that typical?
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Replies
asen..notice the oak treads you almost bought were glued up... they are a bunch os little sticks about 1 1/16 x 1 1/2..
the are very stable and will almost never check... if you make yours out of solid stock they will almost certainly check..
and if you glue up your own treads, and then surface them , you may decide that the price was good..
we can't afford to glue up our own so we pay the price
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I made mine out of 6/4 solid stock 4 years ago, No problems. Reason I made them is I wanted 6/4 treads and could not find pre built. There is a mitered bull nose because one side is open so they were glued up from 3 pieces but the majority is one solid piece, they still look great.
You are going to need a big bit to bullnose or a shaper.
One issue would be whether or not the existing set is made of housed treads or set on notched stringers. If notched, the old can be taken up and the new carefully fitted but if you have housed set of stairs, you have to rebuild the whole ball of wax.
Another issue is to be sure you don't change the rise at each step by more than 1/4" Some people try to put the new over the old and end up with a trip step at the top and bottom riser.
For the friend, Nobody here can see the job conditions (maybe he has to park ten blocks away and work around dogs and kids or whether paint touch up annd stair finishing is included in this figure. is the friend asking for an exotiuc hardwood? Treads with return mitres on an open end are quite time consuming to get right. Since there is only ply now, maybe none are needed but it is also possible that this carpenter cannot determine whether he will have to repair or replace the stringers when he opens things up. He might be figuring new risers also.
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As far as my friends estimate goes...
The treads are open at one one, that is to say, that one end goes against the wall the other end has two ballasters and is rounded.
The installer told me that they cut off the overhang and rounded edge then install hardwood over it using prefabed bullnose. I gagged at the price - remember that was labour only.
This was not for replacement of the treads but to cover with hardwood - It's my job at home I may replace the treads.
I am hoping that she rejects the estimate and I'll get to step in and do it for $60 a stair. I'll practice on my own stairs first.
Edited 3/22/2004 8:55 pm ET by ASENNAD
Dat's amusing
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Well, now i know why I can't sell a job lately...
It warms me to think that I spent YEARS learning my craft, buying every tool under the sun and becoming proficient with them, spend hours upon hours doing estimates, got licensed, carry insurance, and somehow break even...just so some other guy can check out my bids and do it for half!
OK. Lets' say we play it your way. My friend has rejected the estimate and I don't do the job.....
My friend is not going to be happy, her turquiose carpet will still be on the stairs, I'll not make any money which I could use at the moment, and the floor installer will have to find work elsewhere.
Nobody wins.
My way ... at least two people are happy.
You sound like my boss.
Rob Kress
My jist is.. get paid for what you do. why do it for half, when even a savings of 10-20% will do? And it doesn't make every other guy look as bad.
THINK! you'll be halfway into it and realize" I can get more for this...And should!"