IMO $2500 is cheap for a new set of stairs but you could just refinish what you have and to save wear and tear add a runner .If yor parents are older it will be difficult to add a stair lift in that narrow space though

If your parents are now or are approaching “elderly” status, I would be focusing more on making the stairs manageable and safer; possibly considering an elevator or a chair lift - at least for down the road.

Thanks! i should add my parents are curently 61, so not too concerned about an elevator or chair lift at this stage. I know it could happen, but not planning for it.

You are so kind and generous to have your parents move in, and undertake the necessary changes. We sanded and restained our basement stairs and they look great. Removed previous owners 40 year old carpet tread covers 🤪 and the pine is holding up well. Staining only allows for scuff touchups and they are not slippery. Make certain you install a handrail on each side. I would save dollars for other necessary upgrades in the future for your parents.

With older parents living in the basement, I would consider the possible need for an electric elevator chair on the stairs (in the future) unless you have a two-person stand-up elevator from the basement to the main floor accessible to them.

I'd carpet them in a flat/short pile durable commercial type carpet.

I have the same situation going to the basement of my small condo. I installed LVP upstairs and got matching stair tread going to the basement and had the risers painted. When I replace the basement carpet in the future, I’ll carpet the stairs, too. Something with low pile, very sturdy. FYI - I’m 75, both knees replaced; I can still do those stairs - but I always hold the railing and make sure I’m paying careful attention to what I’m doing.

I’d sand and stain or paint, then install a nice runner….we even did this ourselves last year, it was not difficult. We ordered runners from Annie Selke (they have funky, colorful, muted, traditional etc options), double-sided stair tape, and did this in one afternoon…it was a fun DIY project for me and DH. (I know it’s not a 100% professional look, and we need to replace the staples with darker ones…..still looking for those. Your look could be completely different, more refined, traditional or whatever…..we were going for casual.)

Were you ripping out? Our contractor updated ours like below and an updated skirt board would be a good idea also.

You could keep and if you add a runner, there are options: restain tread and paint riser, restain all or paint all, The runner will hide most imperfections and will add interest, brighten, be safer for all. Consider painting your railing or with the money saved, replace with a modern one. Suggest looking at lots of inspiration pictures. I really like below for a modern, fresh look and will feel less cave like and more welcoming.

Sand and put a varnish on the pine; find a pretty commercial grade runner; get matching staples and install.

Most importantly, have TWO sets of railings for them to use.

Pine has been used on floors for hundreds of years. It’s very durable - and slippery, as are all wooden staircases.

(Before you add handrail(s) get your furniture in the basement! It might be your last chance to do so.)

IMO the need for an aide to move from one floor to the other does not necessitate live in care . One crappy knee can make stairs a nightmare but the rest of the body is fine. I do agree that stairwell is very narrow so move in the furniture first .

why would you rip out those treads, spend money on good oak, and then paint? You stain new oak treads, not paint them.

Just give your current treads a good sanding, prime them and paint the whole thing.

Your pine treads are in great shape. start w/an 80 grit and work your way up to 220/320. they will sand down beautifully. wipe on a pre-stain conditioner, and a dark stain. paint the risers white or black. ditto the spindles/handrail. (which you could also stain or paint.

Done. add the runner.

Would look just like this picture

This looks great! and it's easy on older joints.

I like the runner idea too. Save your money for a good runner and you can do all of that yourselves.

You could try doing a whole clean up on what you have, sanding w/diff grits and staining the pine treads, paint the risers if you like the wood-look:

these aren't any worse than yours. complete how-to

https://stefanasilber.com/best-paint-for-stairs-in-a-basement/

you could even add these woven tweed stair step things. Wayfair sells them.

Or, sand everything, paint everything, and add a nice runner.

https://southernhospitalityblog.com/painted-stairs-and-adding-runners/

https://www.sandandsisal.com/2016/03/painted-staircase-makeover.html

If two girls can do this, so can you!

https://www.11magnolialane.com/magnolia-cottage-installing-a-seagrass-runner-on-the-stairs/

I would do a runner instead of fully carpeting them, and make sure some of the high contrast tread vs riser shows at each side -- for increased visibility of where exactly the steps are.

Note: While I love the idea of real sea grass as a runner, on stairs the fiber can be VERY SLIPPERY!!!!! (Don’t ask me how I know!)

Take Diana B's advice. It's a narrow stair. Find a forgiving broad loom, install it edge to edge. Best bet? A tight commercial grade in a deeper tone. It will last the length of stay for the parents.

As Diana inferred........

The road to hell can be paved with extremely good intentions. : )

Again. Just experience talking.

We had a similiar situation...

Pine stairs that were covered in carpet, and old 1950's thin tiles glued down with some kind of black mastic.

We removed the tiles and carpet, bought new oak stair treads, cut them to size. This (1/8") luan board to cover the risers.

Finished the treads in Rubio Monocoat oil finish. Cut the laun to fit each individual riser and painted them white. Installed the luan using tiny nails and gorilla glue. Installed the treads using glue and nails... Painted the sides of the stairs...

Don't spend the $$ on the stairs, Paint and do the runner or completely cover the stairs with a commercial grade level loop carpet. Also, you might want to use motion activate lights to illuminate the stairs Sometimes it's hard to know where the stair ends.

You will find that one day there will be no need for the chair lift and the next day they will not be able to maneuver without it. It happens that fast when you least expect it.

And please if you carpet the stairs DO NOT use a horizontal stripe! Very dangerous.

" Since pine is softer and more prone to damage, we’re considering upgrading these to oak "

That is Yellow Pine Treads. Dam near as tough as Oak. I would not replace themm, no sense or need. Listen to the above, clean, prime, paint and a stiar runner or carpet treats.

Thank you everyone for your feedback! Huge help to hear from others on this!

In all honestly, and not to be a doomsayer:

I'll guess you're 40. Seems like 30 was "foreverago" right? In a decade you'll blink, holy @#$% how did I get to 50?! The next landmark will feel like you went by jet....the next is a time travel : ) @ speed of light

The stair is great exercise no doubt. But at a point when/IF the stair becomes their isolation.. it will quickly become yours. IN WAYS YOU CAN NOT IMAGINE. You're a good , kind soul....

but we don't live in the TV days of the Waltons.

Good luck!

I vote refinish and add treads -- we added them for the dog, but they make everyone happy!

Set of 15 Skid-Resistant Carpet Stair Treads Black Ripple, 8"x27" · More Info