Stair Remodeling: 3 Reminders to help it run smoothly

When remodeling your stairs you should know that it IS a full-fledged remodeling project, not a Saturday afternoon DIY project. Your stair has been installed into the structure of your home. Removing and replacing your stair can be as involved as remodeling your kitchen or bath. The process may involve drywall work, some additional framing. The process can be messy and inconvenient.

Here are three reminders to make your stair remodel project run more smoothly:

1. Plan ahead. Prior to removing anything, have your entire stair plan figured out in detail. How will you get upstairs? Will your headroom change? Will you need to change framing? Is the new design fully calculated and every design detail finalized? Are materials and labor fully planned and available? It may be best to have materials precut to some extent to limit the time of construction.

2. Protect what you're not changing. Cover up the floor nearby. Remove pictures on both sides of the walls. Cutting can create a lot of dust. Treat the area like a construction zone!

3. Be ready for the unexpected. When the stair is pulled out, who knows what you'll find. There may be plumbing, heating, or electric under the stair that needs to be moved. Plan ahead as to how you will handle moving those items if required.