External Stairs

[Belliot]

I live in a first floor maisonette, and to get access into the garden you have to go out onto the road and the door is down the road!

We have applied for planning permission to get a door knocked out where we currently have a window in our kitchen and then stairs fitted down into our garden. This will also be used as a fire escape.

We do not want to spend too much money as we are planning on moving next year, and wondered if anyone new any cheap out door stairs suppliers?

[buildersmate]

Your options are either hardwood (something like Iroko) or metal. Whatever you do, it is going to have to satisfy Building Regulations. Also it is almost certain that you will have to specify something that is custom-made. An organisation such as this one specialises in such stairparts.
http://www.stairplan.com/external_staircase.ht m
The price of the staircase won't probably kill you - it is the price of the work around it - foundations, fixing it, knocking walls out etc.
I wouldn't do this if I was planning on moving next year - simply not worth it.

[buildersmate]

BTW it is by no means certain that you will get PP for this - it depends what impact it has on the ground-floor people below you. How will the staircase impact light into ground-floor windows below you?

[Belliot]

Hi, Thanks for the link above.. luckily the stairs impact on no one! As the stairs run down the side of our wall and we have a shed underneath. Our neighbours windows etc.. see out onto her garden at the side of ours - she would not even see the stairs stood in her garden!! Its more to do with privacy of the neighbours.. next door - opposite!
It will also act as a fire escape as there is no exit out of our flat at that end if there was a fire. - So maybe we will have to get a fire escape stairs!
We are also doing this to add value to the property.. so a nice new kitchen and stairs will hopefully do this!

[buildersmate]

There is no Building Regulations (legal) requirement for a separate fire escape in a conventional first floor flat where the height of the floor is less than 4.5m off the ground level.
Nevertheless if it gives you peace of mind..........

[mrdiyswede]

Hi, I know my answer comes late but if you are still interested I would suggest you look into: http://uk.fontanotshop.com/staircases/types/outdoor.html .