I replaced a run of exterior stairs down to the front door for a client a couple of weeks ago. The existing rise was 7 1/4″ with a tread of 14 1/2″. We replaced it with a rise of 7 1/4″ and a tread of 11 1/8″. I got a message from the owner yesterday that lot’s of people are falling down the steps and they want the ratios back to what they were originally. We are talking around 30 treads here.
Any suggestions as to how I proceed with the client? Who pays for this?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Mark
Replies
Your ratio is okay. 7¼ X 11 is one of the most common. Going down a set of familiar stairs is like dancing, you don't have to think about it. You instinctively know where the next step is. By changing the depth of tread you have changed the tempo of the music they were dancing to. Put up a few professionaly painted signs "Slow Down"Caution" Watch Your Step" it might slow them down enough learn the new dance.
Turtleneck
Its not a smile- its a cramp
Dooer,
Did you tell them or put in your contract that you were changing the tread from 14-1/2" to 11-1/8"?
You lost about 101" in total run on the new stairs compared to the old stairs. So therefor you gained that much more in space. Is that the reason why you changed the tread with?
If all this is in your contract, then they have no say unless they want to pay you to rip it out and do it all over again.
Joe Carola
No contract with this customer on this phase. We have been doing work for him going on 3 years, off and on. Multiple decks approaching 2500 sq. ft.. All new siding and french doors, etc.
The run of stairs actually has 3 landings at various points.
The original stairs came into the front door at a about a 30 angle, 3' from the door Really a horrible design if you saw it. By cutting down on the tread depth, we were able to turn the stairs by use of a small landing so that they were parallel to the door and 5'6" away.
Mark
I'd explain that to him and add that the best stairs use one of these formulas:
1. The sum of two risers and one tread should be 24 to 25 inches.
2. The sum of one riser and one tread should be equal to 17 to 18 inches.
3.The height of the riser times the width of the tread should equal between 70 and 75 inches.
Never make a tread below 9 inches wide and 7 to 7 5/8 make the best risers.
(You may want to look into "cash change orders" when doing things like this for customers, email me from the site and I'll send you a legal copy of what they look like.)
I can't believe anyone's tripped on them? Unless you have a variance in rises more than an 1/8 to a 1/4?
The problem I see is there was no change order, and if he is a regular customer you may want to keep his reference in the long run (no pun intended), just try to explain to him it was in his best interest to do it correctly.. it's all you can do really. If you do go with the bad stair formula and someone does trip you could be liable too, try throwing that in the mix?
Good luck this sort of thing is tough with out the change order.
-Gordon-Alter Eagle Construction & Design
No contract with this customer on this phase. We have been doing work for him going on 3 years, off and on. Multiple decks approaching 2500 sq. ft.. All new siding and french doors, etc.
HUGE mistake!
I don't care what youve done for them or who they are. A contract not only helps and protects you, but also helps (reminds) and protects them.
Your contract is more important than your hammer...wayyyyyyyy more important.
Be st of luck
Namaste
Andy......PS You didnt do anything wrong with your work by the way, just with the biz end of it. Live and learn! We've all been there.
"Understanding yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth"
Alan Watts
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 3/30/2003 5:07:38 PM ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)