Moving staircase in terraced house

Fletchasketch

Hello,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on the feasibility of moving a staircase in a terraced house.

I'm viewing one this Wednesday with a spiral staircase and before I even think about putting an offer in, Id like an idea of how much it would cost to change it to a normal staircase, which would probably involve moving it. If I do decide to put an offering I'll speak to a builder first, but would be good to know if anyone else has any experience of this. Floorplan below:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/fullscreen/view-floorplan.html?propertyId=81474257&index=0&width=1280&height=800

D_M_E

Don't know about cost, but could also be possible to split the big bedroom in half and either have 3 bedrooms or an ensuite upstairs as part of reinstating the original staircase.

eddddy

Spiral staircases are generally used where space is limited. You might find you lose a lot of space if you change to a conventional staircase.


The property in your link probably started out with a staircase more like this: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/fullscreen/view-floorplan.html?propertyId=59979015&index=0&width=1366&height=728

It may be that the only way to achieve a through-room downstairs, was by settling for a spiral staircase.

Bossypants

Is there any particular reason you want to get rid of it? I fully intended to change the spiral staircase in my last house, as it felt rickety and I got vertigo going down it on the first viewing, but within a day or two of moving in I was completely used to it and it ended up staying quite happily.

lincroft1710

I don't think a conventional staircase would easily fit in the available space without reducing the size of the main bedroom. What is the asking price of the house?

zagubov

I know that in the Netherlands, spiral staircases are really common as floorspace is at a premium there.

I'd be very wary about restoring a more typical staircase. You could lose more space than you expect.

LadyDee

Depends very much on who is going to be using the staircase - elderly people and very young children - there could be safety concerns. How about moving your furniture up stairs?

Sirrah67

I think the only possible solution is to have the stairs in that area, but between the two chimney breasts, starting off going towards the right wall by the dining area, turning to come back along the wall, then turning again to come out by the front bedroom. The front bedroom door would need moving, and of course it would depend on the available space.

Why is there that odd bit of wasted space between the two bedrooms?

Doozergirl

Contrary to popular belief, spiral stairs aren't particularly space saving.

You can buy a straight flight set from stairbox for less than £300 and they are pretty quick to fix, so it could be done for less than £1,000 with balustrade or a new wall, but a flight with a turn in them will cost a bit more and having to alter joists etc to suit a different layout will be more again - plus the disruption to rooms.

zagubov

Sirrah67 wrote: »

Why is there that odd bit of wasted space between the two bedrooms?

Looks like a good place to add a WC, or even a bathroom; could have fitted two bedrooms to the rear of the upstairs.

People back then didn't appreciate the pressure there would be on building land by now.

Having said that, I'm relieved to see a house in Surbiton; I thought it's very much turning into bedsit land nowadays.

Fletchasketch

Thanks for the responses!

Encouraged to hear that some people don't mind spiral staircases, my thinking was that it would be a pain for moving furniture and difficult for elderly/children.

I also prefer the original layout which divides the house into a clear living and dining area, but wasn't sure if that would be feasible given the upstairs layout.

Any other thoughts on cost much appreciated!