Has anybody moved the basement stairs?

[Anonymous]

Is this a huge thing? If the basement does not count as living space do the same strict building codes apply?

[Anonymous]

In Fairfax County, the county considers all basements to be potential living space. Building code definitely applies.

They did this for safety reasons - because non-permitted basement conversions have been common there since the late 1980s.

[Anonymous]

Really depends as far as codes. If you never plan to sell, or won't be selling for at least a couple decades, then codes don't matter.

If you need another entrance, ever considered a fire-pole type situation? Easy to get down at least and takes very little room up in a corner.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine the cost.

[Anonymous]

Are you wanting finished stairs or utility stairs? Either way they have to follow code requirements for rise/run and head room clearance among other factors. The usual bigger expense is restructuring the surrounding floor system to make for the opening. That often involves structural beams etc. that will be a lot of work and require engineering.

[Anonymous]

It’s extremely expensive to move stairs.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always heard it’s insanely expensive to move stairs because it affects all the structural framing and such but I do wonder if basement stairs are different at all because of the foundation walls? I have no idea though. I’m just curious.

For sure this is the sort of thing that goes with a gut renovation, at a minimum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always heard it’s insanely expensive to move stairs because it affects all the structural framing and such but I do wonder if basement stairs are different at all because of the foundation walls? I have no idea though. I’m just curious.

For sure this is the sort of thing that goes with a gut renovation, at a minimum.

The stairs go through a hole in the first floor. Moving that hole requires altering the framing of the first floor.

Altering framing isn't really that expensive. What's expensive is that you typically have to remove finished floors and walls to get at the framing.

[Anonymous]

Let me ask this: why would you not want to make your stairs code-compliant?

The only downside of being compliant is that you might have to make them somewhat wider and less steep than you would otherwise. Which means the stairwell occupies more space. But if that space is in an unfinished basement, who cares?

[Anonymous]

Op here— thanks for the replies! I have a butler’s pantry area that could be switched to a door to the basement stairs but I’m having a hard time picturing the angle of the stairs and how steep it would need to be. These stairs would also run into the main heating/ air conditioning unit for the house so that’s not ideal either!

[Anonymous]

We moved our basement stairs and our regular stairs as part of a gut remodel/addition project. Removing basement stairs was easiest because they were at the far end of the basement, and not never the main floor stairs, so we filled the hole in and made it into a closet on the main floor. No idea how much it added to the renovation since the whole project was expensive.

[Anonymous]

Spiral staircase?

[Anonymous]

It's a structural renovation so it requires a permit. I've seen it done wrong many times in older homes. You don't want that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here— thanks for the replies! I have a butler’s pantry area that could be switched to a door to the basement stairs but I’m having a hard time picturing the angle of the stairs and how steep it would need to be. These stairs would also run into the main heating/ air conditioning unit for the house so that’s not ideal either!

Can the stairs begin in same spot on the 1st floor and then turn 90 degrees right or left after 4-5 steps? Our basement stairs do this, and if they did not, they'd run into the hvac. Our basement is finished now, so part of the stairwell has drywall/walls and it turns to railing only near the bottom. The hvac stuff is now in a closet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always heard it’s insanely expensive to move stairs because it affects all the structural framing and such but I do wonder if basement stairs are different at all because of the foundation walls? I have no idea though. I’m just curious.

For sure this is the sort of thing that goes with a gut renovation, at a minimum.

The stairs go through a hole in the first floor. Moving that hole requires altering the framing of the first floor.

Altering framing isn't really that expensive. What's expensive is that you typically have to remove finished floors and walls to get at the framing.

Specifically altering framing may not be expensive - but all the associated costs will probably be eye opening. Does plumbing or HVAC now need to be re-routed? Electric and flooring and all finish carpentry will surely be a factor.

If this is part of a major remodel that’s one thing, but if its just a part of a basement remodel realize OP is creating major remodel.