Can the contractor add the stairs into his price per sq. ft. calculation on a basement?

Question

I told him his price per sq feet was way too high, and he said "well, you have add 100 sq. ft. to that because we're fininhing the stairs and putting in a knee-wall". It that right? How are the stairs usually taken into account so you can compare quotes?

Answer 1

Sure! He can actually charge anything he wants unless you had a prearranged agreement. The stairs to take up floor space so yes they included in the square foot calculation and they do cost money to build.

Answer 2

Look at it this way.
One step might be 1'6" X 4', including the risers and treads, plus the stringers, plus the wall, plus a railing.

15 steps would be 45 sq. ft. More steps, more sq. ft.

Some contractors may not include the stairs as sq. ft., but charge as an extra amount, based on their cost.

Evidently, he has estimated the cost of the stairs and by math, has incorporated it into total sq. ft. and quoted as a price per sq. ft. for the total job.

You can ask him to quote the stairs as a separate charge, aside from total by sq. ft.
He may or may not do this. For other quotes, ask for this.

All in all, any method used, just compare the grand total to other quotes. $ for $. Total money is the primary interest to consider.

Answer 3

If you think about the amount of materials needed for a set of stairs, than this should be a no brainer...Yes it is right for him to include it in his price...there are several sq ft in a set of stairs.