Would love to have input from an architect or anyone with knowledge on plans! Thank you.

What is the distance from the cellar door to the island? In your other thread you didn't think you'd use that door very often.

As another idea, can you make a switchback or U stair, tuck it in the corner where the pantry is now?

I did not think it would be an issue but we keep looking at the plan and not sure we are liking where the stairs are located, especially because we feel it will interfere on both ends (up and down).

I had never heard of a U stair. If we tucked it in by the pantry, how would that affect the pantry, closet?

You could put the pantry where the stairs are now; the end by the island could be shallow shelves facing the kitchen for frequent items (closed) or pretty serveware (glass or open). Then the closet is alongside the stairs to the right of the garage door.

The foot of the stairs would be next to the patio door, is that okay?

BPathome, sorry I am trying to understand....you are saying on the opposite side of the wall, where the mudroom is and the pantry currently is showing, you would put the stairway in there? If the opening to go upstairs was on that side of the wall I would be happy. If the opening is on the same side as it is showing now I was afraid it would be in the way of the french door I want to put in to the outside, does that make sense?

Summit Studio Arhcitects, thank you for your reply. This is a one level home with room for a "bonus room" upstairs. We will be leaving it as an attic/storage but wanted to put stairs in for resale down the road, hopefully many years from now! Would that make a difference? Sorry I am really ignorant about this and why I am reaching out to those with knowledge and expertise.

Summit is right, and I don't know what you are planning for the upstairs.

But yes, I was thinking that the foot of the stair would be near where you plan the door, but not directly in front of it; rather, to the side of it. Glad Summit is here, though--naturally, I'm not a pro, just an "idea gal" to "grease the skids" :)

In locating a stair in this case, one must consider the structure of the modular construction.

The stair in the drawing appears to be two stairs: one up to an upper level, and one down to a lower level.

Is this correct? Which stair goes to the upper level?

Are you framing the roof structure with 2X trusses? Are they designed for a future habitable upper level? If not, forget a future upper level, and stairs going up to that level...

What does your drafter or builder say about all this?

Bpathome I greatly appreciate your suggestions and anyone else who is kind enough to take the time to help.

Summit and Mark thank you, I wish I had more information on it and will have to ask my husband. I am thankful for both of you trying to help!

Virgil, yes you are correct the stairway by the island is going down to the cellar and the stairway going up on the opposite side.

Not sure on the 2x roof trusses I will need to ask. We have a big roof pitch on purpose so we you could potentially put in a big bonus room upstairs. We do not get to to speak with the drafter. Drafters with both companies (middle man and actual modular company-you cannot buy direct anymore) work together to draw up what we ask for. We go through the salesman who we felt was very good at understanding what we were asking for. We are now looking at the plans to make final decisions. My husband was the one who wanted to change the placement of the stairway which was originally where the fireplace is located. My husband didn't want to have the doorway directly in front of the foyer. If I had my way there would be no stairs because I hate cellars! The only way I will be going down there is if we have a tornado which is very unlikely! :)

Location of the stairs depends on where the bonus room will be located and how it will be built. Assuming the bonus room will be under a steep roof with no dormers, locating it over the bedrooms or garage would be the best choice since you could have windows in the end. Locating it over the kitchen and living module would require dormers and added expense to bring in light and views.

I'm not sure the bonus room is worth it and that modular is saving you anything once you try to create the additional space.

Those windows look small for the size of space. They also look too short and too high to meet the egress requirements in the building code...a big problem if you ever plan to finish the space.

Whether it's worth doing depends on what your modular company is telling you about the cost and whether they can furnish large enough windows for egress.

The center stair plan provides sound insulation for the bedrooms from the busy part of the house. I'd rotate the stairs so that the bonus room stairs are what greets you at the front door and the basement stairs are at the back of the house. Then you'll have an open stairway instead of a closed door across from the entrance. I'd also put a back door directly across from the top of the basement stairs so you have a straight shot from outside to the basement. That's really nice when you want to take things in and out. Of course, if you have a walkout basement, that extra back door isn't necessary.

Summit thanks for letting me know. My husband and I were going back and forth on whether to do a modular or stick built on site. Such a hard decision. We know two people who used this company and were happy but I guess you run into issues no matter what. I am seriously wondering if we should do a stick build on site instead now.... or maybe I will just pitch a tent.

This almost sounds like it is more trouble than it is worth!

Jennifer that makes a lot of sense, thank you. If we do decide to go ahead with the bonus room upstairs that would be a great idea!

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions! I am learning a lot from it.

You are contemplating using the bonus room for storage. You could frame the ceiling joists for a future staircase but, install the typical pull-down ladder for now. Heck, frame both spots...and choose the stair placement later.