Temporary staircase

[Selfbuildsarah]

I’ve read about temporary staircases on here before (Howdens for £100?) but no luck finding one for our build. Our local Howdens wouldn’t say how much for a basic staircase and weren’t interested in us signing up for an account. Nothing on eBay. We are not skilled enough to make one unfortunately!

[LaChab]

If it's just a straight stair, then dead easy to make (as long as you've got a cordless drill! and a saw!)

Couple of bits of 225 x 50 for the sides, short lengths of 50 x 25 batten to hold it all together, and decking for the treads.

Mine supported 4 guys and a  150kg triple glazed window with no problem.

Have a go!

[Selfbuildsarah]

😳

[Spinny]

How good does it have to be and for how long and for what traffic ?

People (including us) were going up and down scaffolding on a scaffolding ladder for more than 6 months.

What about a loft type ladder ?

Presumably you will be installing the actual staircase ASAP ?

 

This one is free...

https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-building-materials/wooden-temporary-stair-unit-for-site-access-or-renovation-projects/1515416065

Edited yesterday at 12:47 by Spinny

[Russell griffiths]

Find a used one on Facebook. 
a straight flight new will be a couple of hundred quid. 
 

 

[DownSouth]

We bought a Dolle Arundel straight staircase. Steeper than standard stairs as it’s a space saver, but quickly got used to it and it was sturdy/ had a hand rail. Passed it on once we were done to another self builder nearby. It was up for 18 months so well worth it to us. 

Edited 2 hours ago by DownSouth

[G and J]

 

Ours was made in a couple of hours from 6” x 2” strings and treads and spare battens to support the treads.  
 

Stand the strings up in situ, cut a birds mouth at the top and use a level to get the angle right.  Saved us hours and hours and no end of energy, as well as being massively safer than ladders. 

[Nickfromwales]

1 hour ago, G and J said:

 

Ours was made in a couple of hours from 6” x 2” strings and treads and spare battens to support the treads.  
 

Stand the strings up in situ, cut a birds mouth at the top and use a level to get the angle right.  Saved us hours and hours and no end of energy, as well as being massively safer than ladders. 

Same we do on every job. Plenty good enough tbh.

[Nickfromwales]

On 02/07/2026 at 12:59, Selfbuildsarah said:

😳

Pay your carpenter to make some out of basic materials, simples; but make them strong as they'll be in for some use / abuse.