How Much Do Poured and Precast Concrete Steps Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $600 - $5,000
Expect to spend about $3,500 on new concrete steps. Depending on home location, material, size, and type, most homeowners spend between $600 and $5,000.
Building new concrete steps outside your home will cost around $3,500, with most concrete steps costing between $600 and $5,000. New concrete steps provide safe and durable access to your home that can also boost your home’s curb appeal. This guide provides an in-depth look all the factors that can affect the cost of your concrete stairs and some ways you can save money on the project.
- Average
- $3,500
- Low end
- $400
- high end
- $6,000
Concrete Step Cost Factors
The cost of a concrete stoop or exterior basement steps can range from around $1,000 to $6,000. The range is so large because there are a handful of cost factors to consider that can bring your total well above or below the average.
Cement Quality
The quality of cement will affect your budget. A low-grade cement step can cost $400, while a high-quality cement step costs about $800 on average. Higher-quality materials cost more upfront, but they tend to last longer and will likely require fewer concrete step repairs as they age. Ultimately, paying more upfront could save you money down the road.
Staircase Size
Standard steps (around 4 feet wide) cost between $200 and $600 per step, depending on whether you want precast or poured concrete. The number of steps you need will also affect the total size of your staircase and the final cost. Wider steps, or those with unusual shapes, will raise the final price as well.
Solid vs. Hollow Steps
Solid concrete steps cost around $600 per step, and your contractor will pour them in place. They are solid, which means they’re stronger and more durable. Hollow steps, including most precast steps, cost around $200 per step and come from an off-site manufacturer before your contractor installs them. Precast solid steps often aren’t an option.
Coatings
A coating will make your steps more visually appealing, durable, and can improve slip resistance. Some precast staircases come with existing stone treads, which add about $100 to $500 to your cost for a standard four- to six-step concrete staircase. Alternatively, you can pay for a cement coating at about $200 to $400 per staircase.
Staircase Features
Staircase features can make your steps safer, more functional, and more decorative, but they will bump up your total installation price.
| Feature Type | Specifics | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Railings | Wood or metal | $300–$600 |
| Concrete sealer | Acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane | $200–$400 |
| Step risers | Custom height | $0–$400 |
Permits
You may need a building permit to install concrete steps, depending on local regulations. Building permits can range between $100 and $1000, and failure to get a permit where required can result in fines, citations, or even having to remove the steps after installation. Check with your local building authority to see if you need a permit.
Removal of Old Concrete or Materials
We recommend you budget another $2 to $6 per square foot to remove old concrete if you’re replacing old concrete steps. Disposing a set of stairs ranges between $200 and $400, depending on whether your contractor reinforces the material with wire mesh or steel bars. It’s easier and more cost-effective to take out unreinforced material without heavy machinery.
If you’re removing wooden stairs and replacing them with concrete, you can likely dispose of the material yourself, or you can pay a professional around $100 to disassemble and remove it for you.
Concrete Delivery
Concrete delivery can average between $100 and $300, but the concrete delivery cost is usually on a per-yard basis and can vary greatly based on staircase size. Check with the concrete company to confirm delivery fees.
Labor
Expect to pay between $600 and $1600 for labor to install concrete steps, depending on the size and type of steps being installed. A local concrete patio contractor can provide an accurate labor estimate for your project.
Concrete Steps Cost by Type
When installing a concrete staircase, you can either pour your own concrete or opt for precast stairs. The method you choose affects what you’ll pay.
Pouring Concrete Steps Cost
Pouring concrete stairs can range from around $1,800 to $6,000 for steps that are 4 feet wide, 11 inches deep, and 7 inches tall. This is a pretty big range, as many other factors can impact what you’ll pay. These include:
Precast Concrete Steps Cost
The average price to install a precast staircase is $600 to $2,000. Installing a prefab staircase is faster, so labor costs less than it would for pouring concrete. You’ll pay more for delivery of your precast steps than you would for concrete, but you’ll still likely end up saving money over having your installer build a custom mold and carry out concrete forming on site.
Cost of Concrete Stairs by Location
The total price for installing concrete steps depends on where you place these steps on the exterior of your home and how easy it is for laborers and machinery to reach the area. The area also determines how many steps you’ll need and which additional features, if any, are desired, which will directly affect pricing.
Basement Stairs
Exterior steps leading to your basement cost between $1,500 and $5,000, including installation. Indoor cement stairs in the basement will likely be a little more expensive, as working in tight spaces will make the installation more challenging for your installer.
Front Stairs or Rear Stairs
Concrete stairs are popular choices for leading up to your home’s entryways, thanks to their durability and modern appearance. A standard set of entryway concrete steps costs between $800 and $2,400 for the concrete alone. Most homeowners will also want a decorative handrail on their front entryways, which will bring the total up to between $1,000 and $3,000.
Landscape Stairs
If you just need a few steps—between three and five—for your landscaping, you’ll pay between $600 and $3,000 in most cases. The more steps you add, the higher the cost. Additionally, landscape stairs that sit between sections of the yard or concrete walkways are more likely to have longer step runs (the part you step on) than stairs that connect to your home. Longer runs can push your installation price higher.
Ongoing Costs of Concrete Steps
Once you’ve installed your concrete steps, you’ll face a few additional costs over time. Concrete is a durable and low-maintenance material, but you’ll need to stay on top of upkeep and repairs to keep your steps in good condition.
Maintenance
Keeping your steps free of stains, small cracks, and surface debris requires a minimal investment. Concrete cleaner ranges from $15 to $20 per gallon, while pressure washing can cost from $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. Professional pressure washing often requires a minimum number of square feet, so it may be cost-effective to have your driveway or walkway done at the same time.
Repairs
Concrete step repair can cost as little as $20 or upward of $750, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of repair needed. Smaller repairs can be a DIY project for handy homeowners, but for larger or structural repairs, you’ll want to hire a contractor who repairs concrete steps to ensure the job is done safely and up to code.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Concrete Steps Yourself?
The average material cost to build your own concrete steps is between $400 and $3,200, ranging from a three-step staircase to a full eight-step one leading down to a basement. If you’re up for the challenge (a big challenge), you’ve got a weekend to spare, and you know how to mix concrete and construct molds, you could stand to save an average of between $200 and $1,600 on your concrete step project.
That said, we advise you to consider this DIY carefully. Pouring concrete steps isn’t the best job for a DIYer, especially if you don’t know how to prep the site and ensure the concrete steps are safely and structurally supported. We strongly recommend you hire a concrete company near you to get the job done safely and with proper permits.
| Concrete Steps | Average Price for Materials/DIY Installation | Average Price for Materials/Pro Installation |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Steps, Precast | $400 | $600 |
| 3 Steps, Poured (Custom) | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| 4 Steps, Precast | $560 | $800 |
| 4 Steps, Poured (Custom) | $1,600 | $2,400 |
| 5 Steps, Precast | $650 | $1,000 |
| 5 Steps, Poured (Custom) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 6 Steps, Precast | $800 | $1,200 |
| 6 Steps, Poured (Custom) | $2,400 | $3,600 |
| Full Basement Staircase, Precast | $1,100 | $1,600 |
| Full Basement Staircase, Poured (Custom) | $3,200 | $4,800 |
Tips to Save Money on Concrete Step Costs
Installing new concrete steps outside your home is a relatively affordable way to improve your home’s curb appeal and make your home’s entrances safer. Still, there are some ways you can save on the installation to keep material and labor prices as low as possible.
Choose precast steps, if possible: Precast steps cost about a third of the price of poured concrete, largely because they are mass-manufactured, which cuts down on labor and material costs. You’ll pay for a premade staircase delivery, but you’ll still save quite a lot overall.
Install more affordable railings: Decorative railings are desirable on concrete steps, especially for those leading to the front of your home. You can save money by going with standard designs or by installing a wall-mounted railing rather than a free-standing one, where it’s plausible.
Stick to standard step sizes: Custom stair sizes and shapes will always be more expensive than standard ones. For precast stairs, manufacturing costs can easily double or triple if you want a custom design, and some companies won’t even be able to accommodate you. For poured concrete, building custom molds to your specifications will take longer and drive up your labor costs.
Hire a pro: Hiring a concrete contractor will undoubtedly cost more than a DIY concrete stairs installation. However, poured concrete steps are heavy and can sink into the soil if it’s not prepped or constructed properly. You could also risk damaging your home if they affect the soil around your foundation. In the long run, you could save money on your installation by going with a pro.
Dan Simms contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some local authorities and building codes require that you secure concrete stairs to the foundation wall or to your concrete slab. Check with your local building department for guidance. If you do need to anchor your steps, we strongly recommend hiring a professional concrete contractor to do the work for you, as it will require drilling into your home’s foundation.
No, high labor costs and the project's complexity make concrete stairs more expensive than steel or wood stairs. Wood steps cost between $100 and $200 per step, including labor and materials, while concrete steps are about triple, at between $200 and $600 per step. Building codes may also have stricter requirements for concrete steps, as they’re considered permanent, so you might also pay more for permits.
After you install your concrete steps and even as they age, applying a coat of paint or concrete sealer to your steps every one to two years is a great way to keep them looking fresh and new. We also recommend doing light concrete step repair if you notice chipping or crumbling. You can dress up your steps with planters, decorative railings, and other decor to breathe new life into your stoop as well.