How long to build switchback (u shaped) stairs.
#1
How long to build switchback (u shaped) stairs.
I'm getting some quotes to build switchback stairs between 2 floors. Nothing complicated, it's over 20ft high (2x 10ft rooms plus joist space).
how long would this normally take? A week, less?
My quotes (material plus labor) seem to be coming in at 12k Canadian (9k usdollar) , which seems very expensive to me for just structural framing and some wood finishing with rail?
how long would this normally take? A week, less?
My quotes (material plus labor) seem to be coming in at 12k Canadian (9k usdollar) , which seems very expensive to me for just structural framing and some wood finishing with rail?
#2
1 week? Less? Do you think they will have 20 guys working on it while being filmed by a TV crew?
This is a diy forum. If you want to do it yourself, just ask. If you have questions about work you are having a contractor do, ask him those questions.
This is a diy forum. If you want to do it yourself, just ask. If you have questions about work you are having a contractor do, ask him those questions.
#3
I'm trying to figure out whether this cost is reasonable or whether to do it myself. Most of the posts on this forum are to avoid having contractors do work to save costs 
Was thinking that by myself it would be a two week job with lots of stops to research things.
framing doesn't look too hard as long as calculations are correct but the railing might be more tricky?

Was thinking that by myself it would be a two week job with lots of stops to research things.
framing doesn't look too hard as long as calculations are correct but the railing might be more tricky?
Last edited by qwertyjjj; 09-21-19 at 01:02 PM.
#4
Most of the posts on this forum are to avoid having contractors do work to save costs
Nothing complicated, it's over 20ft high (2x 10ft rooms plus joist space).
how long would this normally take? A week, less?
how long would this normally take? A week, less?
#5
I guess I won't know until I try but the framing looks fairly easy if you take your time. Studs, frame for landing, stringers, allow for flooring measures, etc.
the part that looks difficult is the finishing.
the part that looks difficult is the finishing.
#6
Group Moderator
The first thing I sometimes do with someone new is play dumb. I ask them to show me how they figure out the stair geometry. I'm looking for them to easily run through the math to figure out the rise for each step and the run length and landing size to make sure it will fit. If they scratch they head or get the math wrong it's not a good sign.
After that getting bids from multiple contractors is the only way to know if the price is fair. Prices in my area have risen recently because of the labor shortage and there is plenty of work to go around. Contractors, especially good ones, can mostly set their price and you can take it or leave it.
After that getting bids from multiple contractors is the only way to know if the price is fair. Prices in my area have risen recently because of the labor shortage and there is plenty of work to go around. Contractors, especially good ones, can mostly set their price and you can take it or leave it.