Stairs Stripping & Restoration
Old paint, varnish and carpet adhesive stripped from timber staircases in Croydon, then repaired and refinished.
Stairs are a focal point of any hallway. Many older staircases hide good timber under decades of paint and carpet.
Restoring stairs is slow, detailed work that large sanders cannot do. We apply the same care as in our floor sanding work, by hand where needed.
Step by step
Old carpet and fixings taken up
Paint and varnish stripped from treads, risers and spindles
Loose treads secured and creaks fixed
Repairs to chipped nosings
Hand sanding and a durable finish
Choosing a finish
Because stairs get heavy use, a hard-wearing lacquer is often the best choice. A popular look is stained or natural treads with painted risers. We can match the stairs to your floors using floor staining.
A complete look
Many customers combine stairs restoration with floorboards restoration in the hall and landing. Squeaky treads can be fixed through our floorboards repairs service.
The benefits
A stripped and refinished staircase looks smart, is easy to keep clean and lasts for years. Removing old carpet also gets rid of trapped dust and allergens. Stripping is careful work: we use the right method for each coating to protect mouldings and spindles. Older paint may contain lead, so we test first and take the right precautions.
Most staircases take two to four days, depending on the number of steps and how many coatings need removing. Where possible, we keep the stairs usable during the work. Balustrades, handrails and newel posts can be restored at the same time.
Who we restore stairs for
We restore stairs in Victorian and Edwardian houses, new-build homes with oak staircases and converted flats across Croydon. Every quote is fixed and based on a free survey, so you know the full cost before we start. Hallways are sheeted and protected, and we tidy up every evening.
If you are unsure what lies beneath, we can check a hidden corner during the free survey.
Restored stairs are covered by our 3-month service guarantee. See our prices for typical costs per step.
Guide prices
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Floor sanding & oiling
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber, finished with two coats of hardwax oil.
from £22 per m²
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Floor sanding & lacquer
Full sand and three coats of hard-wearing water-based lacquer.
from £24 per m²
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Parquet sanding & finishing
Multi-direction sanding for block and herringbone floors, with your choice of finish.
from £28 per m²
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Gap filling
Resin filler or reclaimed pine slivers between floorboards.
from £6 per m²
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Floor staining
Colour samples on your floor and an even stain before finishing.
from £5 per m²
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Stairs stripping & restoration
Paint and varnish removal, repairs and finishing of treads and risers.
from £45 per step
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about stairs stripping & restoration
How are your prices worked out?
Prices depend on the floor area, condition, repairs needed and the finish you choose. Our price list shows typical starting prices, and we confirm everything with a fixed written quote.
How should I prepare the room?
Empty the room where possible and take down curtains that reach the floor. We can help move heavy furniture if we know in advance. Our guide to preparing your home has more tips.
Can you quote from photos?
For many jobs, yes. Photos of the floor plus rough measurements let us give a guide price quickly. We confirm it with a short visit before work starts, so the final quote is fixed.
Do you strip painted stairs?
Yes — we strip paint and old varnish from treads, risers and spindles. Sanding stairs is detailed hand work, and we finish them with a hard-wearing lacquer or oil. See stairs stripping and restoration.
Can we use the stairs while you work on them?
Usually, yes. We work on every other step so you can still get up and down, then complete the rest the following day. We agree the plan with you before we start.
How many days does a staircase take?
Most staircases take two to three days from stripping to final coat. Lots of paint layers or turned balusters can add a little time, which we include in your quote.
What our customers say
Honest advice — no unnecessary work
“I asked for a full sand, but after looking at the floor they said a fresh coat of lacquer would do. Half the price and the floor looks like new. Rare honesty.”
Sanderstead
Fair price, brilliant finish
“Clear quote with no surprises. They explained the oil options without any pressure and the colour sample matched what we wanted perfectly.”
Sanderstead
Great advice on staining
“I had picked a colour from a brochure, but on our pine it would have looked almost black. The samples showed us a better option and the floor looks brilliant.”
Norbury