The short answer
A solid oak staircase typically starts around £900–£1,450 for a standard straight flight and rises to roughly £2,500–£6,000+ for a bespoke or more complex design, with highly intricate curved or spiral oak stairs reaching £4,000 and beyond before fitting. Installation labour usually adds £500–£2,000 on top. If you like the oak look but not the price, oak cladding over an existing staircase is a lower-priced route, commonly around £2,000–£5,000 fitted with a new handrail and balustrade. Oak costs more than softwood because the timber itself is dearer and the joinery is more demanding, but it is durable and hard-wearing, which is why it is a popular choice for a feature staircase.
Oak sits above softwood on price but below glass and steel feature stairs. Here is what a solid oak flight typically costs, and how cladding offers the look for less.
Typical UK costs
- Standard oak straight flight£900–£1,450
- Bespoke oak design£2,500–£6,000+
- Curved / spiral oak£4,000+
- Fitting labour£500–£2,000
- Oak cladding (fitted)£2,000–£5,000
What an oak staircase costs
A standard straight oak flight typically starts around £900–£1,450, with bespoke and more complex designs running £2,500–£6,000+ and curved or spiral oak reaching £4,000 and above before fitting. Fitting labour adds roughly £500–£2,000. Oak costs more than softwood for two reasons: the timber itself is more expensive, and a solid hardwood stair takes more skilled joinery to build and finish. The payoff is a hard-wearing, characterful flight that lasts.
| Oak option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard straight flight | £900–£1,450 | stock oak, simple design |
| Bespoke design | £2,500–£6,000+ | made to measure |
| Curved / spiral oak | £4,000+ | design-led, before fitting |
| Oak cladding (fitted) | £2,000–£5,000 | oak look over existing stair |
Indicative UK ranges for guidance. Sources: MyJobQuote and Checkatrade staircase cost guides.
Solid oak or oak cladding?
- Solid oak flight: a full hardwood staircase, the most durable and the most expensive route.
- Oak cladding: new oak treads and risers fitted over a sound existing stair — the oak appearance for a lower price, commonly £2,000–£5,000 fitted.
- Mixed build: some homeowners use oak for the visible treads and handrail with painted softwood elsewhere to manage cost.
- Finish: oiled, lacquered or stained finishes change both the look and the upkeep.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an oak staircase cost?
A standard straight oak flight typically starts around £900–£1,450, with bespoke designs at £2,500–£6,000+ and curved or spiral oak reaching £4,000 and beyond before fitting. Installation labour usually adds £500–£2,000.
Is oak cladding cheaper than a solid oak staircase?
Yes. Cladding new oak treads and risers over a sound existing stair, with a new handrail and balustrade, commonly costs around £2,000–£5,000 fitted — less than a full solid-oak replacement.
Why does oak cost more than softwood?
The oak timber itself is more expensive, and a solid hardwood staircase needs more skilled joinery to build and finish. The trade-off is a more durable, longer-lasting flight.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific staircase. They are guidance, not a quotation.