Pay builder $10,000 extra for hard wood stairs not included in price?

[Neil1]

Hi
A family member purchased a town home from a big builder and has a small dilemma:
The town home has 3 floors and comes with carpeted plywood stairs.
If he wants hard wood stairs instead he needs to add 10k.

(Main floor comes with laminate and 2nd and 3rd floors carpets - included in the purchase price)
It's not a fancy neighborhood or something but rather an area in transition in the GTA where it is already pretty expensive everywhere as you know.

Would you pay extra for hardwood stairs or go with the included carpeted stairs?
Does having wood stairs add to the value of a property? Is it a good investment?
What about comfort - more comfortable compared to carpeted stairs, or less?

Thanks,
Neil

 

[3canctheayr]

Some people say that carpeted stairs are better when kids are involved. There are pros and cons either way.

Hardwood looks nice when new, but personally I don't care to have too much of it in my house...

 

[Thomas Beyer]

More of a personal choice. Hardwood is louder than carpeted stairs.

Both (carpet or hard wood) wear out but can be fixed (new carpet, steamed carpet, or sanded and newly finished hardwood).

Going from laminate to hardwood to carpet to hardwood to carpet might also look a little weird in a 3 story TH.

But in the end, like preferring fish over steak, beer over wine, or pasta over pizza: more of a personal choice.

 

[Neil1]

Thank you Mr. Knechtel and Mr. Beyer.

You helped because if it depends, and not at all that clear as you well explained, then for sure they prefer carpet and not adding 10k. Because otherwise, personally, they really do not care that much