Here is a question that we have not dealt with previously.  We are looking at a property that has the typical old interior stairs that are just short of being a ladder (reminds me of Navy ship stairs).  There is room to move the stairs to a different location but without having done one of these before, had a few questions I was hoping you all could chime in on.

1) What amount should we budget to install a new set of stairs with the correct run and rise for each step?  The house has 8 foot ceiling on each floor.  This is a "hire someone" but getting someone to look at it before we need to put in an offer is tough in the local market and the contractor we usually use is unavailable do to family issues for the next two weeks.  

2) Will it matter which direction the new stairs would run up the second floor in regards to the direction the joists run?  The current old stairs go from side to side which is the direction of the joists.  We are looking at moving the stairs and have them go up front to back which means cutting through more side-to-side joists.

3) Anything else in regards to this part of the reno that we should be concerned about?

Thanks in advance for your input

Andy