How Much Does a New Staircase Cost?
A new staircase is a significant investment that affects both the functionality and the value of your home. Prices vary enormously depending on the material, type, number of steps, and whether you choose a prefabricated or custom-built solution. In this guide, we provide a detailed cost overview for 2026.
Costs by Material
Wooden Staircases: 2,000 to 15,000 Euros
Wood remains the most popular material for residential staircases in Germany. The price range reflects the enormous variety of wood species and construction methods available.
Softwood (spruce, pine): A prefabricated straight staircase in spruce or pine costs 2,000 to 4,000 euros. These are the most affordable options and are suitable for secondary stairs, attic access, or budget-conscious projects. Softwood is lighter in color, easier to work, but also softer and more susceptible to dents and wear.
Hardwood (beech, oak, ash): Hardwood staircases cost 4,000 to 10,000 euros for standard designs and up to 15,000 euros for complex winding or freestanding constructions. Oak is the most popular premium choice in Germany, prized for its durability and distinctive grain pattern. Beech is slightly more affordable and has a more uniform appearance.
Exotic hardwoods (walnut, cherry, maple): These premium species start at 8,000 euros and can exceed 20,000 euros for elaborate designs. American black walnut and European cherry are particularly sought after for their rich color tones.
Concrete Staircases: 5,000 to 14,000 Euros (Including Covering)
Concrete stairs are poured on-site during the shell construction phase. The bare concrete structure costs 3,000 to 6,000 euros depending on the number of steps and the complexity of the form. However, bare concrete is rarely left exposed in residential settings.
Popular coverings include hardwood treads and risers at 2,000 to 6,000 euros, natural stone tiles at 3,000 to 8,000 euros, and carpet or vinyl at 500 to 1,500 euros. The total cost of a concrete staircase with a good quality wood or stone covering typically falls between 6,000 and 14,000 euros.
The main advantage of concrete stairs is their structural integrity and excellent sound insulation. They do not creak, flex, or transmit impact noise to the degree that wooden stairs do.
Steel Staircases: 5,000 to 20,000 Euros
Steel offers a modern, industrial aesthetic and exceptional structural capability. A standard powder-coated steel staircase with wooden treads costs 5,000 to 12,000 euros. All-steel designs with metal treads (often with perforated or textured surfaces for grip) cost 7,000 to 15,000 euros.
Stainless steel or corten steel staircases are premium products starting at 10,000 euros and reaching 20,000 euros or more. These materials require no painting or coating and develop a distinctive patina (in the case of corten steel) over time.
Steel staircases are particularly popular for open-plan living spaces, loft conversions, and exterior applications. They can be designed with very slender profiles, creating a light, airy appearance.
Natural Stone Staircases: 10,000 to 25,000 Euros
Natural stone staircases are the most expensive option but also the most durable. Granite is the most common choice for its hardness and wide color range (150 to 300 euros per step for material alone). Marble is more luxurious but softer and more prone to staining (200 to 400 euros per step). Slate offers a distinctive dark, textured surface (180 to 350 euros per step).
Installation costs for natural stone are high because the material is heavy and requires precision cutting. Total project costs for a 15-step natural stone staircase including structure, installation, and railing typically range from 10,000 to 25,000 euros.
Installation Costs
Installation costs vary by staircase type and complexity. A straightforward prefabricated wooden staircase can be installed in one to two days by a two-person team, costing 800 to 1,500 euros for labor. A custom winding staircase requires three to five days of installation, with labor costs of 1,500 to 3,000 euros. Steel and glass staircases often require specialized installation teams and may cost 2,000 to 4,000 euros in labor.
Additional costs that are often overlooked include demolition and removal of the old staircase at 500 to 1,500 euros, stairwell opening modifications at 1,000 to 3,000 euros, flooring connections at top and bottom at 200 to 500 euros, and painting or finishing of adjacent walls at 300 to 800 euros.
Prefabricated vs. Custom-Built
Prefabricated staircases from manufacturers like Kenngott, Fuchs, or Treppenmeister offer good quality at predictable prices. They are manufactured to your measurements in a factory and assembled on-site. Typical lead times are four to eight weeks. Prices are 30 to 50 percent lower than fully custom designs.
Custom-built staircases are designed and fabricated individually, often by a local carpenter or metalworker. They offer unlimited design freedom but come at a premium price and longer lead times (eight to sixteen weeks). Custom construction is essential when standard dimensions do not fit or when a unique architectural statement is desired.
Railing Costs
Railings are a separate cost item that significantly affects the total budget. Wooden railings with balusters cost 50 to 150 euros per running meter. Metal railings (steel or aluminum) cost 100 to 300 euros per running meter. Glass panel railings cost 200 to 500 euros per running meter. Cable or wire railings cost 150 to 350 euros per running meter.
For a standard staircase with approximately 5 meters of railing, expect to spend 250 to 750 euros for wood, 500 to 1,500 euros for metal, or 1,000 to 2,500 euros for glass.
Price Factors That Drive Costs Up
Several factors can push staircase costs above the baseline estimates. The number of winding steps increases cost by 20 to 40 percent compared to straight stairs. Freestanding or cantilevered designs require hidden structural steel, adding 2,000 to 5,000 euros. Under-stair storage integration adds 1,000 to 3,000 euros. LED lighting integrated into treads or handrails adds 500 to 2,000 euros. Acoustic insulation measures (floating treads, rubber isolators) add 500 to 1,500 euros.
Our staircase calculator provides a material estimate based on your specific dimensions, helping you compare costs across different staircase types before requesting quotes from builders.