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 ItemLowMidHigh
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.

MaterialCost/UnitBest For
Poplar / Paint-Grade Wood Treads$15 - $35 per treadBudget remodels where stairs will be painted to match trimLowest cost, paints smoothly, widely available, easy to work with
Red Oak Treads$35 - $65 per treadHomes 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 treadModern 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 treadBasements 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 stepBasements 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 →