What flooring on stairs costs
Stairs are priced per step, and a step is a tread, a riser and a nosing that has to be cut, fitted and finished by hand. A straight flight of 13 steps can cost as much as a small room. Carpet runners are the economical route; hardwood treads are the one buyers notice.
$5.50–$19 per square foot installed
Full range $4–$22. Typical installed cost is the middle half of the national range, materials and labor at average rates. Builder-grade product with the cheapest crew runs under it; premium product with a specialist runs over.
| Material | Installed | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Solid HardwoodOne piece of timber, sandable for a century. | $12.50–$19 / sq ft | 50–100 yrs |
| Engineered HardwoodReal wood veneer on a dimensionally stable core. | $11.50–$16.50 / sq ft | 20–50 yrs |
| Nylon CarpetThe performance benchmark for cut-pile carpet. | $5.50–$8.50 / sq ft | 10–20 yrs |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank — SPC (Rigid Core)Stone-composite core: 100% waterproof and dimensionally rock-steady. | $6–$9.50 / sq ft | 15–25 yrs |
Three things that change the price
- Per-step labor: every tread is a custom cut
- Nosings and trim pieces sold separately
- Open sides and landings add work
Put your own square feet in
National averages: material plus installation per square foot from the same cost tables FlooringFAQ publishes, extras at typical contractor rates. Local labor moves the range; a quote far outside it deserves a question.
Want an actual local price?
Labor rates, removal and prep vary by town and by house. Local professionals can quote the scope above; compare them on the same square feet.
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