Are Precast Stairs Cheaper Than Pouring Your Own?

Concrete steps generally provide many years of use. There are two common options available to choose from: poured in place, and precast. Both options provide sturdy solutions, but one option is much more cost effective.

Poured-in-Place Concrete Stairs

Poured-in-place concrete stairs are the priciest, most labor-intensive option. Required tasks include a poured concrete footing, form work or a frame to pour the concrete into, concrete reinforcements, the cost of the concrete itself, and time and labor. Unless the pour is very small, a premixed concrete, brought to your job site by a concrete truck, will be required. Another factor to take into account is that most concrete mix companies charge a minimum fee to bring concrete to your site; typically, a 3-yard minimum. The average home requires a set three steps high by 4 feet in width. This method can be expected to cost, on average, between $400 to $650.

Pre-Cast Concrete Stairs

Pre-cast concrete stairs are not a solid piece of concrete like poured-in-place stairs; rather, they're hollow. A footing is still required for the stairs to rest on, but instead of the time-consuming task of forming up and pouring concrete steps, precast stairs just set in place and you're done. No additional material is required beyond the stairs and footing. Precast stairs are much cheaper than poured-in-place stairs, but are not as durable due to their hollow design. The average cost of a set of precast stairs that consists of three 4-foot-wide steps is around $200.