Cost to Basement Staircase Remodel in Salt Lake City, UT (2026)
If you’re budgeting a basement staircase remodel in Salt Lake City, most projects run $1,927-$8,672, 4% below the $4,500 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Number of Steps. On its own it can swing the cost by $100 - $600 per step, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: Overlay new treads on existing stringers instead of full replacement. If your stringers are solid, you can install new hardwood treads directly over the existing structure at a fraction of full replacement cost.
$1,927-$8,672 in Salt Lake City
4% below the national average · 0.96x cost multiplier
Homeowners in Salt Lake City typically spend $1,927-$8,672 on a basement staircase remodel, about 4% below the national average. Labor rates and contractor availability in the Mountain West region drive much of the price difference. Permit requirements and material delivery costs also play a role. See the full tier-by-tier breakdown below before requesting bids.
Cost Breakdown in Salt Lake City
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per step | $96 | $270 | $578 |
| Materials | $832 | $2,288 | $5,200 |
| Labor | $1,049 | $1,748 | $3,934 |
| Permits | $0 | $208 | $312 |
| Total | $1,881-6% vs. national avg | $4,244-4% vs. national avg | $9,966-3% vs. national avg |
Budget
Cosmetic refresh of existing staircase - new treads, risers, paint or stain, basic railing replacement on a standard 13-step basement stair
Mid-Range
Full stair replacement with oak or maple treads, painted risers, new wood balusters, and solid wood handrail on a standard 13-step stair
Premium
Custom open-riser staircase with hardwood treads, wrought iron or cable balusters, custom handrail, and integrated lighting on a 14-16 step stair
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in Salt Lake City may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar / Paint-Grade Wood Treads | $15 - $35 per tread | Budget remodels where stairs will be painted to match trimLowest cost, paints smoothly, widely available, easy to work with |
| Red Oak Treads | $35 - $65 per tread | Homes with oak hardwood floors - creates a seamless look from the main level downClassic look, stains beautifully, very durable, widely available, matches most oak floors |
| Maple Treads | $45 - $75 per tread | Modern or contemporary homes that want a lighter, cleaner aestheticVery hard and durable, light color that brightens basements, tight grain for a clean look |
| Engineered Hardwood Treads | $30 - $60 per tread | Basements with moderate humidity where solid wood stability is a concernMore stable than solid hardwood, real wood veneer on top, moisture-resistant core, variety of species |
| LVP / Vinyl Stair Nosings | $20 - $45 per step | Basements finished with LVP flooring where a cohesive look is the priorityWaterproof, matches LVP flooring perfectly, no staining or finishing required, durable |
Other Projects in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Estimate
Typical Range
$1,927-$8,672
vs. National Average
4% below national
Cost Multiplier
0.96x
Cost Per step
$96-$578
This 0.96x estimate prices Salt Lake City labor from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and applies a lighter regional adjustment to materials and permits, which vary less by metro than labor does. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.
See national average costs →