Staircase renovation in Belgium: what painting, covering or replacing costs in 2026
Short answer: Painting a whole staircase costs about €150–400 in Belgium according to price guides. A cover kit runs €600–1,500; EE Trappen gives a general covering range of €650–2,800, but premium materials (natural stone, leather) reach €3,250–3,575 for 13 steps. A new staircase starts around €2,000 and can climb to €15,000. Whether VAT is included differs by source.
Prices in this article are indicative Belgian market ranges, not Alpha Services Benelux's price list. Your fixed price is in the quote.
Price overview by method
Painting usually costs the least, covering sits in the middle and a new staircase costs the most. The figures below are Belgian market ranges from price guides, not fixed prices. Sources do not always state VAT; where they do, we say so.
| Method | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Painting or varnishing, whole staircase | €150–400 | Bobex and EE Trappen; EE Trappen states VAT included |
| Varnish/lacquer, per step | €15–20 | Bobex |
| Painting, per step | Differs by source | €15–25 (EE Trappen); €50–75 (Guide-Renovation) |
| Covering with a kit | €600–1,500 | Bobex and EE Trappen |
| Step covers, per step | €125–150 | Installation included (EE Trappen) |
| Covering, total | €650–2,800 | General EE Trappen range; premium materials (natural stone, leather) reach €3,250–3,575 for 13 steps |
| Closing an open staircase | €50–150 per step | EE Trappen |
| New staircase | from about €2,000, up to roughly €15,000 | EE Trappen; separately, Guide-Renovation cites €1,000 to over €15,000 for replacing a failing structure |
Painting a staircase: what does it cost?
For a whole staircase, Bobex and EE Trappen give €150–400. Per step the sources differ: Bobex quotes €15–20 for varnishing or lacquering, EE Trappen €15–25 for painting and Guide-Renovation €50–75 for painting. Guide-Renovation is clearly higher per step, so these figures do not convert neatly into a whole-staircase total comparable to the other sources. The gap mostly comes from preparation and the number of coats.
If the old finish is thick or damaged, preparation is added. Bobex lists €20–30 per step for sanding, €30–40 per m² for sandblasting and €20–40 per m² for air-abrasive stripping. According to Bobex, sandblasting only suits hardwood such as oak, while air-abrasive stripping suits softer wood; have a professional choose the method.
Painting suits a sound staircase. If treads creak or the timber is damaged, have a professional assess whether covering or replacing makes more sense first.
Covering a staircase: price by material
For 13 steps, installation included, the range runs from €650 (carpet) to €3,575 (leather). Below are EE Trappen's indicative prices; the page does not say whether VAT is included. Note that the general €650–2,800 range EE Trappen gives elsewhere does not cover the premium materials.
| Material | Range |
|---|---|
| Carpet | €650–1,560 |
| Vinyl | €845–1,235 |
| Laminate | €1,430–2,340 |
| Ceramic tiles | €1,430–1,950 |
| PVC | €1,625–2,500 |
| Solid wood | €1,950–2,470 |
| Natural stone | €1,950–3,250 |
| Leather | €2,275–3,575 |
A worked example from EE Trappen: 14 laminate steps at €70 (€980), matching risers (€280), a finishing profile (€90) and installation (€450) add up to about €1,800 including VAT.
Replacing the staircase and extra costs
A new staircase starts around €2,000 and can reach roughly €15,000 according to EE Trappen. Separately, Guide-Renovation cites €1,000 to over €15,000 for replacing a failing structure, depending on difficulty and materials. The spread is wide: shape, material and balustrade weigh heavily.
Extras listed by EE Trappen: removing the old covering €300–500, new handrails €100–300 and LED lighting €75–250. An open staircase is usually more expensive to renovate.
What drives the price
Step count, shape, material and the condition of the base account for most of the price.
- Step count and shape: a straight staircase costs less than one with a quarter turn.
- Material: paint and vinyl sit at the low end, solid wood, natural stone and leather at the top.
- Base condition: old glue, paint layers or damaged timber need preparation.
- Open or closed: closing a staircase costs €50–150 per step.
- Handrail and lighting: separate items that quickly raise the total.
Price guides are indicative. Only a site visit lets a contractor give a fixed price.
VAT 6% or 21% on staircase work
The reduced 6% VAT rate applies only under conditions; materials you buy yourself stay at 21%. According to the Belgian federal finance service, the dwelling must be more than 10 years old and mainly used privately after the works. The contractor must invoice the occupant, with the details justifying the rate on the invoice.
If you buy a stair covering yourself and have it fitted, you pay 21% on that material. Always compare quotes at the same VAT rate. For any current support, check the official portals: vlaanderen.be/mijn-verbouwpremie, renolution.brussels / Homegrade and energie.wallonie.be; we quote no amounts or conditions here.
Comparing quotes and avoiding surprises
Only compare quotes that cover the same scope: step count, material, preparation, installation and VAT.
- Ask whether the price is incl. or excl. VAT, and at which rate.
- Check that risers, sides, nosings and disposal of the old covering are included.
- Have the base condition assessed before the price is fixed.
- Ask for a fixed written price after a site visit.
Alpha Services Benelux, active since 2014, works with its own team and gives a fixed written quote after a site visit. See our interior renovation work or request an appointment via the renovation page. Renovation is by appointment. Also read how to compare contractor quotes.
Fixed quote after a site visit
Alpha Services Benelux does the work with its own team, active since 2014. VAT BE 0541.320.178.
Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
How much does painting a staircase cost in Belgium?
For a whole staircase, Bobex and EE Trappen give €150–400. Per step the sources differ: Bobex gives €15–20 for varnishing or lacquering, EE Trappen €15–25 for painting and Guide-Renovation €50–75 for painting. Preparation such as sanding or sandblasting comes on top: €20–30 per step or €30–40 per m² (Bobex).
How much does covering a staircase cost?
A cover kit costs €600–1,500 (Bobex, EE Trappen). Installed step covers are €125–150 per step according to EE Trappen; on its staircase-covering page, EE Trappen lists an indicative price of €1,300–2,340 for 13 steps, installation included.
Is renovating cheaper than a new staircase?
Often: painting costs €150–400 (Bobex, EE Trappen) and covering €650–2,800 according to EE Trappen (premium materials such as natural stone or leather can reach €3,250–3,575 for 13 steps), versus roughly €2,000–15,000 for a new staircase. If the structure is worn or unsafe, replacing can still be the better choice.
Do I pay 6% or 21% VAT on staircase renovation?
6% can apply if the dwelling is over 10 years old, used privately and the contractor invoices the work. Materials you buy yourself always carry 21%, according to the Belgian finance service.
What does closing an open staircase cost?
EE Trappen gives €50–150 per step. For 14 steps that is roughly €700–2,100. Open staircases are also generally more expensive to renovate than closed ones.
Sources
- Rénovation d'escalier : quelles sont les solutions et prix en 2026 ? — Bobex
- Prix de la rénovation d'escalier: ponçage, habillage 2026 — EE Trappen
- Les escaliers : méthodes de rénovation et les prix en 2025-2026 — Guide-Renovation.be
- Traprenovatie prijs: Kosten en mogelijkheden in 2026 — EE Trappen
- Traprenovatie prijs (Bobex) — Bobex
- Prijs Trap Bekleden: kosten trapbekleding in 2026 — EE Trappen
- Verbouwen - btw-tarief — FOD Financiën (financien.belgium.be)
- Rénover - taux de TVA — SPF Finances (belgium.be)