DIY How to Build a Stairs on a Hill or Slope Part 1

My son and I demonstrate how to build a solid and functional stairs on difficult terrain. In our case it was a slope on a dirt hill. This project took us 1.5 weekends and cost around $250. I hope this inspires you to engage your own project with your kids if you have them. It is a great way to teach them new skills and deepen your relationship with them. Blessings to you and yours.
God bless you.

[@temorehead9595]

I remember being my dad's helper and learned so much. It has translated into being able to fix most things. So glad to see this!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you He is a great helper 👍🏼

[@Alltypz]

I agree! Everything I know about building and basic laws of life came from my dad. A sharecropper from the depression era who became a rocket scientist. #Dads

[@NTycingProductions]

This video has been very helpful for a project I need to do, to make some steps down to my creek, thank you for sharing it. Much respect for teaching your son, how to build things. I love seeing the bond you to have. 😁 Stay blessed 🙏🏾👍🙏🏾

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Wow! That was really encouraging. Thank you for the comment.

[@aleidabianchi1434]

I did the same with Woodglut :)

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Woodglut?

[@WORK-HARD.PH.99]

Very nice thanks for sharing. I like doing construction stuff projects in yard or on the property helping other people out teaching them and it feels great huh and it feels good to stay busy.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Yes, it is definitely satisfying to think that something I have learned and now am teaching is helping someone. Thanks for your comments.

[@radamesortiz4499]

Thanks for the video, this is exactly what I was looking for. Simple and straightforward. 🙌

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

You’re welcome. I’m glad to help. I love to see pictures of finished projects.😁 Blessings

[@DirtDawg]

I used to by my dads helper and miss every second of it. I’m here now watching this because he’s gone, thank you.

[@M1945]

Yes you seem blessed. Nice video, subscribed and looking forward to more!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, God is so good. Thank you for subscribing.

[@captaincoyote1792]

I applaud you using your kids to help. First, he looks like he is having one helluva time helping. And second, you are using something fun, to teach him. And third….that little guy will remember those moments far beyond your time on this earth….and that’s priceless. I’m in my late 60s, father of three. I was military, then a follow on career in wildlife law enforcement. Most unfortunately now, I was always career first (knowing that regardless what happened to me, my family would be well taken care of), but I wasn’t at home as much as a good father should have been. You are a good man….also, the damned cutest--and a most attentive…helper! I have this exact task ahead of me. Unfortunately, all my kids have gone to the four winds….I often find myself missing them. Still, this is a Great video, brother….Bravo Zulu, we’ll done!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Do you let your kids know your thoughts and feelings? Maybe they need to know you miss them?

[@captaincoyote1792]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 Now THAT, is a loaded question. And one that you asked, (I am guessing) simply to get me thinking, rather than actually expecting an answer. But, I have the time waiting for yet another damned doctor’s appointment, I will answer it. (Introspection is healthy, after all!). I believe I do say it, and it’s in my actions as well. All of them have said, one way or the other, that they understand my decisions and both appreciated and respected them. I have three children….all three were raised in a stable household where both traditional and religious education were important. My oldest is biracial….she is a strong young black woman, working in a predominantly “white male” industry (I’m so very proud of her stability and inner strength). My second is also a girl…she’s striving to find her way…but she is very empathetic, always thinking of others before herself, almost to her own detriment, (and I work hard now, trying to get her to understand that once in a while, it’s okay that she comes first!!)…but she’s hanging in there! My third is a boy, dealing with some severe ‘mental anxiety’ issues…but like his sisters, he has a dry sense of humor, and is extremely smart and thoughtful of others. But for their few faults and weaknesses, all three are again thoughtful, intelligent, and independent people. So, all said and done, maybe it was best (for them) that I was away from the house most of the time, in the Navy or as a “fed” on LE details anywhere from Georgia to Maine. And also, with suicide so rampant in young people these days….each of them knows (as I have said it over and over) that if ever their world gets so “dark” as to be unable for them to handle it, our home is their ultimate “safe and nonjudgmental place” to which they are always welcome to “retreat and regroup”. So yes, my actions and words “say it”. Otherwise, for all that I have done - both the bad and the good, throughout my life, I’ll ultimately answer to--as we all will. I think, more of my “chips” were good than bad. Again, I admire your obvious ability to engage your son in a learning experience, that he obviously seems to be having fun doing. That sir, is “gold that matters”. And again, Bravo-Zulu…..so absolutely very well done sir!!!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

@@captaincoyote1792 thank you again. I hope you’re doctor’s appointment wasn’t for anything serious 😁

[@kevintimmons446]

Really great video! Thanks so much for posting. We have a hillside garden here in the UK and need a few sets of steps. This has inspired me to get on with it. You helper is the best! He's such a great help and so lucky to have you showing him the ropes, along with a practical education too. Great team work 👍 Where in north Idaho are you based? We have friends in Sandpoint that we have visited a few times.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

We are in Coeur d’Alene. About a 45-60 minute drive south of Sandpoint. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. He is a great kid.

[@kevintimmons446]

A lovely part of the world you live in. Hope to get back there soon. Best wishes to you and your family! Good luck with future projects.

[@thebeasyband9425]

Good job

[@theresavanallen388]

I followed your video to build my stairs. Thank you much!!! From a 60 yr. old grandma in Michigan.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Hi Theresa You are very welcome. If you have pictures of process and completed project, I love seeing them. You can post them at my instagram page😁 Blessings

[@theresavanallen388]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 yes i would enjoy sending pic. Im at the end of your first video. Today I am adding stringers.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Awesome! Pictures of progress would be great. Let me know if you have any questions 👍🏼

[@theresavanallen388]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 If I posted the pic correctly, it is on your instagram. I will resend. I am instagram illiterate. Lol

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

@@theresavanallen388 hmm, I don’t see it. Is it posted to the stairs gram? Thanks

[@MrLapin-LL]

If your wooden posts are in contact with ground, then the concrete does nothing except holding the post laterally. Something that simple compacted crushed stone can do perfectly. You better pour some concrete in the hole, let it cure. Then do all the rest. The concrete pad at the bottom will act as a spread footing (spreading the loads of the post on a bigger surface). And the ultimate setup is with no wood buried. So full concrete base (like in a sonotube) then you anchor the wooden post on it.

[@XJonAye]

2ft is the permafrost line, if you don't have to worry about the ground freezing then don't do 2 ft

[@shirleytyree276]

Okay maybe I'm too emotional, but I literally cried instantly when I heard you say thattaboy. How lucky is this kid, to get to have you in his life?! What a rarity these days. Thank you so much for everything about this video. 🤗😊👍

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you for your kind comments. Blessings

[@shirleytyree276]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 🤗

[@Not4Knowing]

Right on buddy. This is exactly what I needed for my project. Hellz yeah

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Hope it turns out well. I would love to see pictures of the process and finished project 👍🏼👍🏼.

[@capiberra4118]

Does the ground not freeze in North Idaho? Won't the frost heave push those posts out concrete and all?

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

It has been almost 3 years and it is still solid as a rock👍🏼 It hasn’t shifted a centimeter

[@mycrazyfamilyid]

Learning life skills, math applied to real life, building muscles AND relationships. I love it! :)

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you

[@gradysullivan6679]

Should have had masks on when opening concrete bags…just saying

[@McPhailHunt]

Adding an additional comment: Thank you for your video. My son was able to use this as a guide to do an eagle project for scouts where they built a 12-foot long set of stairs on a church hillside. Loved the easy approach taken and the ability to adjust easily with this approach.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

That’s so awesome!! Thank you so much for that very encouraging comment.

[@Ahmadhammourii]

hey was there a reason you didnt use pressure treated for the stringers ? how long would these stairs hold up in a canadian winters

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

For me? Yes. It’s a good question. I used linseed oil on the stringers because it was a more affordable way for me to do it. At the time lumber was really expensive and I knew that those stringers were not gonna be in the moisture or snow, per se. It’s been a few years and they have held up beautifully. No issues whatsoever. I would suggest that if they are going to be exposed to a lot of moisture that you do use pressure treated wood though. Thanks a lot for your question. It’s a good one.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Also, if you build it using these plans, I’d appreciate a picture sent my way of the finished work. I may do a follow up video later on and show some of the construction that people have done based on this video. So if you have pictures, send them my way. I’d appreciate it.

[@Ahmadhammourii]

Hey I’m actually going to building these stairs for my cousin this month. , would love to jump on a call to pick your brain and show you what I’m working with pick your brain and could pay you for the consult 🤞🏼

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

@Ahmadhammourii yeah, I might be open to that

[@lukewalker3491]

Thank you for posting this video. There are very few of this sort and especially with a focus on the more important hill related details. I have 62 steps worth of stairs to install on my hill and needed this inspiration to push me out of the door to get it done.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

You’re very welcome. I’m amazed at these wonderful comments. I hope your project goes well and that we were able to help. Let me know how it turns out and if you have any questions along the way. Blessings.

[@dubblewrap]

@Luke walker , if you haven't done it yet. I can help!

[@danielpatrickoleary2759]

This is a great vid! I'm actually doing this exact project 2 weeks from now with my family. Any chance you have a parts and supplies list? Posts look 4x4, what are the stringers? 2x8? I can send you my email. Great seeing some father/son action.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you I don’t have a parts list, I’m sorry. It’s been a couple of years 😁

[@michaeladams2077]

Thanks bro! This was awesome. And you have a great help there! Remember you can always narrate later which might make it easier for you? But how you did it was clear and awesome no doubt. BUT why are you letting the kid 1 and yourself 2 inhale that concrete dust. Also the pressure treated wood is horrible for hands. Invest in gloves and masks brada

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement. Yeah I’m learning as I go and definitely receiving a lot of great advice. Blessings

[@donharrington8950]

I'd have trucks dump boulders on the top of the hill and buy a mini kit quarry pneumatic coreing drill water pour cooled and I'd Anchor the wood stairs in the boulders

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Probably be very stout

[@eswifttt]

Teaching young kids skills and work ethics is a lost art. This used to be the norm now it's a rarity. It's good to know some people still know how to raise kids

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you

[@andrewmurgatroyd685]

Thanks for posting a great video! I used your video for a staircase in an urban school community garden on reclaimed land in a downtown parking lot. I guided the students through the design of the staircase in our math class and then they cut all the pieces and installed the staircase. It was a muddy winter project, but come Spring we'll have a safe access to all the food and flowers. Thanks again! Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry in Victoria BC Canada.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Wow, that is really cool. I would love to see pictures. I am glad the video helped.

[@terryburgess2150]

Love you guys❤

[@McPhailHunt]

Did you use treated wood on the entire project, particularly the stringers?

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

No. Only on the posts in the ground. If we are using regular lumber outside we usually treat it with linseed oil.

[@mikehart298]

Awesome video, Great stuff..Thank you sir..

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

You’re welcome. I hope it helps.

[@haze1135]

Would you mind posting the dimensions of all the materials?

[@bigbazoo9794]

Your lucky to have such a good team member

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you. Yes I’m very blessed by my little man.

[@PlumbingRight]

Thanks for the video, There’s not many videos with stairs on a hill side. I found yours and it definitely helped me out!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Awesome! I’m glad to hear it. I would love to see pictures of the finished project 😁

[@PlumbingRight]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 if you send me your email, I’ll send you the pictures I got. Thanks!

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

[e-mail]

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Awesome!

[@PlumbingRight]

@@berghorstcountryliving7098 Email has been sent lol

[@gonzalojr596]

Thanks great job.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

You are welcome

[@Riververchi]

Cutest kid ever!!!!!!!

[@ClayStopMotionStudio]

Wow this is so good

[@Alltypz]

Dad's make it happen! awesome. Doing same in my backyard. I went easier and poured water in on quikcrete for posts. Great work you two.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you I appreciate the encouragement

[@marksmith5535]

Great videos, I am hoping to do the same thing to save some money. We have a pretty steep slope down to the lake in northern MN. Normally for a deck, we need to dig down 4 feet. Is it the same for steps and if it is on a hill do I need to dig deeper? I am also not sure if I should bury the posts or set them on top of the footers.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you very much for your comments. I would imagine the depth for the posts depend on your dirt but if a deck in your area is 4’ , then I would probably go with that.

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Let me know what you end up doing and how it goes.

[@thelazyhandyman]

Great work

[@berghorstcountryliving7098]

Thank you.