Exterior Stairs & Front Steps in Baltimore

What exterior stair work do we do?

We build, rebuild and repair exterior wood stairs, from a short run of rowhouse front steps to multi-story stairs with landings that reach second- and third-floor doors. We also add railings to existing concrete steps and build the landings that tie a stair into a deck or an upper entry. The work falls into these groups:

• Rowhouse front steps with handrails and lattice skirting
• Rear stairs from a deck, balcony or back door down to the yard
• Multi-story exterior stairs and fire-escape-style stairs to second- and third-floor doors
• Landings and walkways that connect stairs to decks or upper entries
• Railings and handrails, new or replaced, on wood or concrete steps

On one tall house, the old rear stairs and decks were worn out, and we rebuilt them in new pressure-treated lumber from the posts up. That multi-story exterior stairs rebuild has its own project page.

Why do exterior stairs fail in Baltimore?

Most exterior wood stairs fail at the bottom first. Stringers sit close to the ground and soak up water, posts rot where they meet the soil, and fasteners rust through. Baltimore’s freeze-and-thaw winters make it worse, because water gets into cracks, freezes and pushes them open.

The warning signs: treads that flex or feel soft, railings that move when you lean on them, stringers that are dark or crumbling near the ground, rusted connectors, and a stair that has pulled away from the house or landing.

Storms speed it up. One client called us after a snowstorm left the front steps a hazard, and told us we were the first company to say yes to the job.

How do you rebuild rowhouse front steps?

We take the old steps down to solid ground, set new posts, frame new stringers and treads, then add handrails and skirting. Rowhouse front steps are short, but they’re the stair you use every day and the first thing anyone sees, so they have to be solid and sit right against the brick.

On one brick rowhouse we built new pressure-treated front steps with handrails, closed in the underside with lattice skirting, and finished the bottom step at the existing concrete walkway. The rowhouse front steps rebuild page shows that job. We plan the work so you keep a way in and out of the house, and if the walkway itself is cracked or heaving, our patios and walkways work can fix it in the same visit.

Do I need a permit to rebuild rowhouse front steps in Baltimore City?

Yes. Baltimore City has no exemption for building or replacing exterior stairs or steps, so the work is filed in E-Permits as a One and Two Family Combo Permit for an exterior alteration. Replacing steps of the same size in the same spot counts as a minor exterior alteration; new or enlarged steps need scaled drawings. (DHCD permit categories)

Three other City rules can apply to a rowhouse stoop or rear stair:

• The sidewalk. Front steps that project into the public sidewalk or right-of-way fall under the Department of Transportation’s Minor Privilege program. DHCD permit staff or the Minor Privilege Section (410-396-3346) decide whether you need one. That process includes certified-mail notice to adjacent owners and Board of Estimates approval. (Minor Privilege guidelines)
• Local historic districts. In the City’s 38 CHAP districts, including Mount Washington, Dickeyville and Ten Hills, step and stair work also needs CHAP approval, and the permit waits until CHAP staff issue an Authorization to Proceed. National Register-only areas such as Canton and Hampden add no local review. Check the address on the City’s CityView map. (CHAP)
• Rear stairs and decks. A stair attached to a rear deck is part of the deck, and the City requires a permit for a deck of any size. Zoning allows open steps in front, interior-side and rear yards, and lets an exterior stairwell project up to 4 feet into a required rear yard.

A City permit expires if work doesn’t start within 180 days of issue. Confirm for your address.

What are the stair permit rules in Baltimore County?

Baltimore County has no published rule for replacing exterior stairs on a house outside a historic district, so call Permits, Approvals and Inspections at 410-887-3953 before work starts. The related rules are clear: decks more than 16 inches above grade or over 120 square feet need a permit, and any structural modification to a house needs an alteration permit. (Baltimore County PAI)

On a property in a County historic district or on the Landmarks List, repairing or replacing steps needs Landmarks Preservation Commission review plus a building permit. In Howard County, stairs attached to a deck are part of the deck permit, and replacing a handrail or guardrail needs a permit because it’s structural. Confirm for your address.

What about rear stairs and multi-story exterior stairs?

Rear and multi-story stairs are the largest stair builds, and they’re where careful framing matters most. A tall exterior stair carries people at height, so the posts, footings, landings and connections to the house all have to be right. We frame these level by level and check each landing before the next flight goes up.

That work includes:

• A fire-escape stair from ground level to the third floor. The client told us they were very impressed with the result.
• A long elevated walkway and two-story stairs along the side of a house, with part of the walkway over a low roof. Our deck building and repair page covers walkways and elevated decks in more detail.
• New pressure-treated rear stairs to a deck on a brick home.

Repair or full rebuild: how do you decide?

We check the stringers, posts, footings and the connection to the house first. If those are sound, a repair with new treads, risers or railings is usually the right call. If the structure is soft, loose or pulling away, we recommend a rebuild and show you why with photos, so the decision rests on what’s actually there. Interior stairs get the same check through our framing work.

What affects the cost of exterior stairs?

Height and structure drive the cost of an exterior stair more than anything else. A short run of rowhouse front steps is a small framing job. A two- or three-story stair with landings needs more posts, footings and lumber, and more days of work at height. The other main factors:

• What’s under the old stair. Rotted posts, failed footings or a loose connection at the house add repair work before the new stair goes up.
• Demolition. Taking a tall, rotted stair down safely and hauling it away takes time.
• Railings and skirting. Wood or metal rails, baluster style and lattice under the stair.
• Access. Front steps on a busy sidewalk, or a rear stair reached only through the alley, change how we stage the job.
• Permits and reviews. City permit drawings, a possible Minor Privilege permit or CHAP review add paperwork and time.

We give a written price after we’ve measured the rise and checked the structure.