exterior, subgrade concrete stairs

[westvale]

Hello friends,

 

Can anyone advise me on how to build an exterior concrete stairwell to access the crawlspace below a house in Chief?  I've attached a photo of the idea I'm going for (minus the pavers) and images of what I currently have in my drawing.

   

[SHCanada2]

What are you having issues with?

 

I make the stairwell a room (ensiure the floor level is where you want it to be and ceiling just above grade), add the stairs, make the stair material all concrete, set overhang to 0.

 

and i ignore that proper concrete steps have a sloping riser

 

 

i draw a railing on the floor above to match

 

 

make a terrain hole if you have to

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 19, 2025 by SHCanada2

[westvale]

Thanks Jason!  I posted the question then immediately went on Christmas holiday, then my computer was getting repairs so I'm finally able to go through your steps and try them out.  Thank you for taking the time to explain the steps and share the images, it was super helpful. I went through the steps and now have a couple issues I can't figure out. For one, why is my railing floating and how do I bring it down to the curb?  And two, what's this hole and how do I fix it.  I can send you the file if that helps.

 

[DBCooper]

Floating railing is almost always from a floor/ceiling height issue.  Not sure about the hole but maybe your stairs are inside the platform?  It looks like they don't actually reach and that first step is rather large.  Might want to post the plan if you can't get it sorted out.

 

[SHCanada2]

what is your ceiling elevation at for that outdoor room? notice mine is at -28