Singapore · Quoted after inspection
Wood Staircase Sanding & Varnishing in Singapore
When the varnish has worn through, polishing can't save the stairs. Full sanding removes the old finish, grey patches and scratches back to bare timber, so the staircase can be sealed and varnished like new. We machine-sand treads and landings, hand-sand nosings, risers and corners, and finish with a sealer and two coats of PU varnish. It's done in stages so you can still get upstairs.
What's included
- Repairs to loose or broken pieces before sanding
- Machine sanding of treads and landings
- Hand sanding of every nosing, riser and corner
- Gap filling where needed
- Dust extraction and vacuuming between passes
- Sealer plus 2 coats of PU varnish in gloss, satin or matt
Signs you need this
- Grey or black wear path on the treads
- Bare wood showing at the nosings
- Deep scratches all over the flight
- Varnish peeling or flaking
- Old orange or yellowed finish you want gone
How full sanding works
- Protect walls, railings and the rooms at the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Repair loose, broken or chewed pieces so they are sanded flat with the rest.
- Sand the treads and landings with coarse, then medium, then fine abrasive.
- Hand-sand the nosings, risers, corners and edges against the stringer.
- Vacuum every step and wipe off fine dust.
- Apply sealer, then two coats of PU varnish, with light sanding between coats.
Why it's done in stages
A staircase is often the only way to reach the bedrooms. We sand and varnish alternate steps, or the top and bottom halves on different days, so there's always a dry step to walk on. If you can stay elsewhere for a night, we can do the whole flight in one go.
Sanding & Varnishing cost
| Service | Price (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Full sanding & varnishing, one flight | Quoted after inspection |
| Repairs before sanding | From $350* |
| Polishing instead, if the varnish is intact | From $350 per flight* |
*Indicative starting rates. Final price depends on the number of steps, the condition of the stairs, the repairs needed and the finish you choose. A flight is one run of steps between floors, up to about 16 steps. The price we confirm on WhatsApp is the price you pay.
Timeline
- Wait to start
- Usually 3 to 7 days after you confirm
- Time on site
- One flight of about 15 steps: 1 to 2 days, done in stages
How a job works
- WhatsApp us 3 or 4 photos of your stairs: the whole flight, a close-up of the damage and the most-used step.
- Get a price. We reply with an estimate the same day, or visit within 1 to 3 days to check for loose treads.
- Book a date. Jobs usually start 3 to 7 days after you confirm.
- We repair first, then polish or sand and varnish, in stages so you can still use the stairs.
- Inspect together and pay by PayNow or bank transfer once you're happy.
Before we arrive
- Clear anything stored on the steps and the landing.
- Remove stair runners, mats and baby gates.
- Tell us about loose, clicking or damaged steps you've noticed.
- Plan where pets and young children will be during the work.
- If this is your only staircase, tell us so we can plan the stages.
Aftercare
Walk in socks after 24 hours, avoid shoes for 48 hours and add felt pads to anything stored on the landing. Recoat every 2 to 3 years to avoid needing another full sanding.
- Staircases onlyRepairs, polishing, sanding, staining
- Price before workConfirmed on WhatsApp
- From $350 per flightRepairs from $350
- Use your stairsWork done in stages
Sanding & Varnishing photos from recent jobs
Real photos from our recent staircase jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to sand and varnish a staircase?
One flight of about 15 steps takes 1 to 2 days, depending on its condition and drying times.
Is staircase sanding dusty?
Our sanders are connected to dust extractors and we vacuum between passes. Some fine dust is normal, and we clean up before we leave.
Can every staircase be sanded?
Solid timber and most parquet or strip-clad stairs can be sanded. Engineered timber only takes a light sand. Laminate and vinyl nosings can't be sanded at all.
How much does it cost to sand and varnish stairs?
Full sanding is quoted after we see the stairs, because it depends on the number of steps, the timber and how worn they are. Polishing, if the varnish is still intact, starts from $350 per flight.
Other staircase services
Staircase Polishing
Buff, clean and re-varnish worn timber stairs in a day. From $350 per flight.
From $350 per flightWood Staircase Repair
Loose, creaky, broken or damaged treads and nosings repaired with matching timber.
From $350Broken Tread Repair
Cracked, split or missing pieces on stair treads replaced with matching timber.
From $350Dog-Chewed Stairs
Chewed nosings, claw marks and pet stains repaired and refinished.
From $350Scratch & Dent Repair
Scuffs, scratches, dents and gouges in timber stairs removed or filled.
From $350Discoloured Stairs
Grey worn paths, sun fade, black water marks and yellowed varnish restored.
From $350Parquet Staircase
Parquet and strip-timber clad steps and landings polished to match your floors.
From $350 per flightStaining & Colour Change
Walnut, dark or two-tone treads with white risers, tested on a patch first.
Quoted after inspectionWant your staircase fixed and looking new again?
Send 3 or 4 photos of your stairs on WhatsApp, including a close-up of the damage, and get a price, usually the same day.