Stairs take more wear than any other part of a house. Every trip up and down hits the same few centimetres of each tread, and the front edges, called nosings, wear first. Many timber staircases have also spent years under carpet, held down with tack strips and staples.
Stair sanding restores the treads, risers, nosings and sometimes the handrail and balusters, then gives them a new finish. Most of it is handwork, which is why stairs are priced differently from floors.
Stairs in Ballarat homes
Many single-storey period cottages and post-war homes in Ballarat don't have internal stairs, so the staircases floor sanders see tend to be in larger two-storey Victorian and Edwardian houses, in homes with attic or loft conversions, and in newer two-storey houses in growth areas such as Lucas, Alfredton and Winter Valley. Each type brings different questions:
- Older staircases may have hardwood or pine treads under decades of carpet and paint, worn nosings and turned balusters that need careful hand sanding.
- Loft and attic stairs are often steep and narrow, which makes slip resistance and staging the work more important.
- Newer stairs in recent estates may be engineered timber, timber-look capping over a non-timber base, or carpet over particleboard. Check what you have before planning a sand.
Why stairs are different
A large floor sander can't be used on stair treads. Contractors use edgers, smaller orbital and detail sanders, scrapers and hand sanding to reach into corners and around the nosings. Each step has several faces, and each one is sanded and finished separately. That takes time, and the price reflects it.
What's under the carpet?
If you're thinking of pulling up the stair carpet, check first. Lift the carpet at the bottom step or inside a cupboard under the stairs. You may find:
- Good hardwood treads that only need sanding and finishing.
- Pine treads that are softer and mark easily, but can still look good with the right finish.
- Particleboard, MDF or chipboard, which can't be sanded and finished like timber. These usually need capping with new timber or recarpeting.
- Treads with lots of staple and tack holes, which can be filled but may still show.
Painted risers and balustrades
A popular look is clear-finished treads with painted white risers. If risers, stringers or balustrades already have old paint, find out how old it is. Australian Government lead safety guidance warns that paint applied before 1970 may contain lead, and removing it by sanding without the right controls can spread lead dust through the house. Tell the contractor about any old paint.
Choosing a finish for stairs
The same finishes are used on stairs as on floors, but slip resistance matters more. Satin or matt finishes are commonly recommended over high gloss for stairs, and some products offer an anti-slip additive. Think about who uses the stairs: children, older people, pets and anyone in socks.
Match the stairs to the floor at the top and bottom if you can, especially if you're sanding both. Doing them in the same job gives a more consistent colour.
Living with the work
You still need to get up and down. Contractors often coat every second step, or one half of each tread, and come back for the rest once it's dry, so there's always a way through. In a cold Ballarat house, drying can take longer, so plan for a bit more disruption in winter. Ask how they'll stage the work before it starts, and whether you'll need to keep pets off the stairs. If the stairs are the only way to bedrooms, plan which nights you might sleep downstairs or elsewhere.
Common stair problems
- Creaks are often from treads moving on their supports and can be refixed before sanding.
- Worn nosings can be sanded back or, if badly worn, replaced.
- Loose balusters can be reglued or refixed.
- Gaps between treads and stringers can be filled with a flexible filler or timber.
- Old carpet glue needs removing before sanding.
If a tread is split or badly damaged, it can usually be replaced. Structural problems with the staircase are a job for a carpenter.
What it costs
Stairs are usually priced per step or per flight. Australian 2026 guides suggest roughly $60 to $120 per tread and riser, or about $800 to $1,200 for a typical straight flight of around 13 steps. Painted risers, balustrades, landings and repairs add to that. See prices.
Pairing stairs with floors
If you're planning to sand the floors on either level, doing the stairs at the same time is often more efficient. You'll be out of action once rather than twice, and the finish should match. A recoat can also suit stairs where the coating is intact.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sand a staircase?
Expect a per-step or per-flight price. Published 2026 guides suggest about $60 to $120 per step, or $800 to $1,200 for a typical 13-step flight, before extras such as painted risers or repairs.
How long does it take to sand and finish stairs?
Most straight flights take a day or two of work, plus drying time between coats. Cold weather slows drying, so allow extra time in winter.
Can I use the stairs while they're being finished?
Usually, yes, with care. Contractors often coat alternate steps so you can still get up and down. Ask about the plan before the job starts.
Will a polished staircase be slippery?
Any smooth surface can be slippery in socks. Satin or matt finishes and anti-slip additives help. Some households also add a runner.
Can stairs be sanded if they were under carpet?
If they're solid timber, usually. Check what's underneath before you remove all the carpet, because some stairs are made from particleboard or MDF.
Ask about your stairs
Send your suburb, the number of steps, what's on them now and a photo or two. With your consent, we'll pass your enquiry to one independent local floor sander, once one is appointed, who can inspect and quote. There's no cost or obligation to enquire.