Front steps and coal hole repair

[erikwoolf]

The area under the front steps is having significant water ingress because of bad maintenance. I believe there is yorkstone covered with some kind of asphalt and on the sides the previous owner has tried to cover the various cracks with cement. From the inside water is leaking through the coal hole cover and from the sides where the various cracks are. The plaster has blown off and the water ingress does create significant condensation that affects the whole property.
We are planning to install the new bathroom in that part of the house so we are looking for permanent solutions. Apart from installing extractor fans and dealing with ventilation we are looking at how we can waterproof the space. There are a few companies that address the issue by removing the steps and reinstalling waterproofing membrane under them, refit new yorkstone and also landscape the water front path so any water gets redirected away from the house. We got 1 quote so far which is way more expensive than we thought. I was wondering if anyone else had similar issues/experience and how you solved them? Is there any way to rectify the front steps issue without having to remove and reinstall them? I guess I would be more keen to go ahead if there was consensus that this is the right thing to do rather ending up with a compromise that will need to fix again and again..
steps? then

 

[a twig]

Steps off, strip it all back and re-do it properly would be my vote, particularly if you are planning on making it living space down there rather than just a cellar / coal hole / storage. Unless there are particularly significant historic reasons for keeping the coal hole, a new step without one would make your life a lot easier.
The membrane and landscaping should mean you can lay to rest that nagging tick in the back of your minds that your expensive new bathroom is being quietly ruined by unseen damp, so yes, short term expense for long term solution and peace of mind.