How much does a staircase repair cost in Gloucester?
Creaking treads or a loose banister? Post the job for free and it goes to local carpenters who cover your area. Only the carpenter who takes it on gets your contact details.
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Staircase repairs
Most staircase repairs are about noise or wobble. Creaks usually come from treads or risers that have worked loose, or from the small wedges and glue blocks under the stairs coming away. A loose handrail, a wobbly newel post or broken spindles are common too, as are worn or split tread edges.
How the repair is done depends on whether the underside of the stairs is open, such as in an under-stairs cupboard, or plastered over. From underneath, a carpenter can often re-glue and re-wedge treads without touching the carpet. If the underside is closed, the work may have to be done from above, which means lifting the carpet or drilling and fixing through the treads.
A loose handrail or balustrade is a fall risk, so get that sorted first. Keep any broken spindles, as they help the carpenter match the shape.
Older houses may have stairs that need a more careful approach, especially if the original spindles and handrail are worth keeping. Say roughly how old the house is.
Like-for-like repairs are routine. If you’re thinking of replacing the whole staircase or changing its layout, that’s a bigger job, and you should ask the building control team at your local council whether it needs approval.
Say what the problem is and add photos.
What to include when you post
Give the carpenter a clear picture of the problem.
- Which part of the stairs is the problem: treads, handrail, spindles or newel post
- Which steps creak or move
- Photos of the whole staircase and close-ups of the damage
- Whether the stairs are carpeted
- Whether the underside is open, for example an under-stairs cupboard
- Roughly how old the house is
- Whether you want it painted or finished afterwards
- Whether anyone at home is at extra risk on the stairs, such as young children or older relatives
- Whether any part is loose enough to be unsafe right now
- When you’d like it done
Choosing a carpenter and what to ask
Ask how they’ll fix the problem: from underneath, from above, or both. If the carpet needs lifting, ask whether they’ll put it back or whether you need a carpet fitter.
A written quote should say what’s being repaired or replaced, what materials they’ll use and whether finishing is included. If spindles or a handrail are being matched, ask how close the match will be and whether new parts will need painting or staining. Making good to plaster under the stairs is often left out, so check.
If the handrail or balustrade is loose, ask whether they can make it safe on their first visit while any parts are made or ordered. Ask what guarantee they give, as creaks can come back if the cause isn’t fixed.
Not quite the right job?
See every job on our Carpenter page, or post it anyway and describe it in your own words.
Before a tradesperson starts work
Registrations
Some work must be done by a registered professional. Work on a gas boiler, cooker or fire must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can check on the Gas Safe Register.
Our business check
Limited companies are checked with Companies House and sole traders upload their insurance certificate. Trade registrations are confirmed by the tradesperson when they sign up.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written quote that sets out the work and the price before anything starts. Your contract for the work is with the tradesperson.
Questions
What people tend to ask before booking this job. For anything specific to your home, ask the tradesperson who takes it on when they get in touch.
Sometimes, from underneath, if the underside of the stairs is open. If it's plastered over, the carpet may need lifting to fix the treads from above.
Usually. Common styles are easy to buy. Older ones may need turning to match. Keep a broken one to show the carpenter.
It's a fall risk, so treat it as a priority, especially if children or older people use the stairs. Tell the carpenter so they can make it secure first.
Usually treads or risers have worked loose, or the wedges and glue blocks underneath have come away. Timber moving with the seasons can make it worse.
Often, yes. A worn or split nosing can be cut back and a new piece let in, or the tread replaced if it's badly damaged.