Are all the steps the same height?

Yes, they are all the same height.

There’s a vaguely Escher look to them. No wonder you have stumbled.

I had to look that up…..

What can I say, I’m a child of the ’60s lol

Look for distinctive path lights that stand high enough to be picked up by peripheral vision and set a pair at each step change?

I don't understand why you can't have a single railing for the entire distance. A good ornamental metal working shop should be able to design one with the correct shape and angles. You may need to look for another contractor as custom metal railings seems to be a specialty product. The shop we use does mainly commercial and high-end residential work but they were willing to make us a few rails for our clients historic bungalow. The custom rails were only slightly more money than buying the box store kits but the results were much higher quality materials and better design.

I would rather have the steps start out at the porch than recessed into the porch. Wider steps with a railing, which would mean that the walkway is reworked as well. But that is better than someone falling and really hurting themselves.

🚩🚩🚩

Have bottom step cut to match width and depth of middle step; then add handrails from landing to bottom.

If you want a curve, add it to walkway - not the step.

Fractured hip would be minor compared to traumatic brain injury, from hitting head when falling, and cost of lifelong care.

When balancing form and function, the priority should be on producing a well functioning set of steps. I agree with MDLN, the walkway is where you can get "artsy." Keep the stairs and the railing simple.

Thank you everyone…The quote I got was from a custom railing shop but I can seek out additional quotes. The stairs should have been wider in retrospect.

I like the idea of adding lights, and am going to look for those. I think reworking the steps like MDLN and Charles Ross suggested is what will have to happen.

IMO the best would be to widen the steps to be the same width as the landing and straight but I need to see the whole area at the front of the house

You might want to delete this post ... you just admitted it is a known problem and hazard!

Tearing out and redesigning the steps will be a lot cheaper than a lawsuit.

Here are a couple more views…the sidewalk sort of meanders and then curves to the front steps…

@Molly D. Zone4B That second-to-last picture really shows why it's a hazard; you can barely see that third step. Do as MDLN suggested and make that third step in line with the others. Until then, yes, spray paint it orange and out a sign so people can see. we had a tripping hazard step in our backyard and my grandmother fell and "only" broke her arm....she was lucky! Put quite a damper on Easter Day.

Agree with barn: rip out asap and replace with standard-sized and shaped steps. And two sturdy railings.

If that house were mine, I would have arranged for that before I moved in. Steps are not the place for out-of-the-ordinary stylization. The cut-in step at the top is odd, and step-down #3 is a killer.

The sidewalk, on the other hand, is lovely.

Thanks Littlebug. When we were getting to the end of our build and we’d met with our landscaper, he suggested a curved walkway. That idea was incorporated along with paving the driveway and the sidewalk and wasn’t something we picked up on. Unfortunately.

For my build the best $$$ spent was on getting building permits that came with the wise advice of the building inspector; I learned so very much. He was my greatest advocate and the only one I'd hire again. Know he would not have allowed those steps esp. without railing.

You say they are the same height--they sure don't look it. They aren't the same depth--from what I see. Height and depth are standards not to be messed with for safety.

I think that if you remove that bottom step and square that all off - keeping the replacement straight and repouring one section of the walk to meet up with it - you will be fine.

And the sooner you do it, the better it will match.

Yes, all three steps are the same height. That landing step is not small, but is slightly curved so as you face on the left it’s 36” deep and 48” on the right. That contributes to the problem. We had inspections and our builder never brought up the issue.

We looked last night and as suggested above we should be able to remove that one section and re-pour.

Thanks to all for your input!

Its too bad the steps didn't extend to the columns but a simple deck mounted powder-coated pipe rail should work.

I have a similar issue-tiny bottom step, no railing.

In hindsight this should’ve been an inspection finding 26 yrs ago.

Instead my dog took me out & I had a broken pelvis. Get it done!

Oh no! Thanks for the re-inforcement!

Could they fill in the recessed step(black) and then pour an additional step(red) on that lower landing(orange)?Then you would technically have three steps. Not sure if that is possible but I think the tripping hazard is in the recessed step unless you put permanent concrete planters on either side of the recessed step.

BTW I love you meandering walkway and your home. Just gorgeous!

Interesting thought…we will have to look at that. I added some blue tape on there where you can really notice how it curves.

Forget about lights, paint, and railings and just bite the bullet and have it redone to create squared steps or you will just be spending good money for a bandaid. I think your curved walk is lovely and maybe this could be an opportunity to make the steps and porch a real standout design feature at the same time as saving yourself.

Didn't realize it curved! I agree with Kate. I would have them redone and squared off. Don't worry about the angles walk. Leave you walk with the angle but square off the steps and fill in the recessed portion unless you put permanent pots next to it.