Installing stairs

There is a lot involved in installing a staircase. For example, what costs are and are not included in the price and how long will the project take? Do I need to enlarge or move my stairwell and what kind of stairs will I have installed? And when do you need planning permission for this? The answer to all these questions and more can be found below.

What will it cost to have stairs installed?

When installing a staircase, there are various costs involved. For example:

• Disassembling the old staircase
• Manual costs for the installation of the new staircase
• The costs for the material of the staircase

Staircase installation – Step-by-step plan

There’s quite a lot involved in installing a new staircase. What should you pay attention to? Check out this handy step-by-step plan:

Step 1: Orientary meeting

When you have your stairs fitted, start by meeting with the staircase specialist. Many stair specialists have a free measurement service which will tell you exactly what needs to be done and how much the new stairs will cost. This meeting will cover the following points:

• Stair measurements:The measurement of the staircase is very important. If you do this yourself and these measurements are not correct then your stairs will not fit in the end and will cost you a lot of money. By using a staircase specialist, you can be sure that the staircase will be measured correctly and the risk is no longer yours.
• Stairwell: The stairwell is also an important part of your staircase. In fact, not every staircase will fit the stairwell in your home by default. If you do want a specific staircase that does not fit, the stairwell will have to be enlarged or, in some cases, moved.
• Number of steps:The number of steps on your stairs depends on the floor height. By measuring the distance between the floor below and above, you calculate how many steps you need. The height of a step is between 18 and 21 centimetres. Divide the distance between the two floors by the height of the step and you will know how many steps you need.
• Building permission: Sometimes you need a permission to build a staircase. So always check this before you start building your staircase. For example, you need a permit if you modify the load-bearing structure of your house, for example by enlarging or moving a stairwell. Not sure whether you need a permit or not? Your staircase specialist can advise you on this.

Step 2: Choose staircase design

This is perhaps the best part: choosing the design of your staircase. There are many options that will allow you to make your staircase completely to your liking.

Prefab or customised staircase installation

When installing a staircase, you choose between a prefabricated or customised staircase. Prefabricated stairs are assembled in the factory and consist of standard components. A customised staircase is composed entirely according to your wishes. See below which option best suits your needs:

Other design choices

After you have chosen prefabricated or customised, there are several other choices to make around your staircase:

• Staircase model: will you choose a straight staircase, a staircase with lower or upper quarter or perhaps a spiral staircase? Depending on the space in your home, there is always a staircase model that fits.
• Open/closed staircase: Do you opt for open treads for a spatial effect, or do you go for a closed variant?
• Staircase material: Stairs come in many materials. Whether you opt for wood, glass, concrete, metal or another material, a staircase specialist can help you make the right choice for your home.
• Stair finishing: Do you leave your staircase as it is, or do you opt for cladding or treading? Do you want a banister or not? And what about extras such as LED lighting or stair mats?

Step 3: Dismantle old staircase

You’re ready, you’ve found your staircase specialist and the ideal staircase. Now it is time to actually install the staircase.

When you install a staircase, the old staircase has to come out first, of course. Dismantling the old staircase should be done carefully to avoid damaging the walls and floors. Dismantling the old staircase is usually done on the same day as fitting the new staircase. In this way, you make use of the old staircase for as long as possible. However, disposal of the debris from the old staircase is not always included. Check the quote to avoid unexpected extra costs.

Step 4: Staircase installation

After dismantling the old staircase, it is time to install the new staircase. Usually, the staircase is installed within a day. Depending on the model of staircase and finish, it sometimes takes a little longer. Installing a prefab staircase and a custom-made staircase takes about the same amount of time. However, a custom-made staircase has to be measured and made to measure in advance. The preparation time of a custom-made staircase is therefore logically longer than a prefabricated staircase that you can have installed immediately.

The staircase enters the house in parts, as otherwise it will not fit through the door. Then the specialist assembles the staircase at the desired location. Adjusting the stairwell is done first if necessary. This does cause the project to take a day longer.

Stage 5: Finishing the stairs

Once the staircase has been installed, it is time to give your stairs the finishing touch. Finishing your staircase can be done by covering with treads (stair renovation), painting or a combination. You can find more information on this here:

• Staircase renovation prices
• Staircase cladding costs
• Staircase painting costs

Finally, think about any accessories for your staircase:

Frequently asked questions about installing stairs

1. What measurements should I measure for a staircase made to measure?

For the installation of a staircase, you need several measurements. For instance, you measure the floor thickness and the size of the stairwell. Also important is the headroom and the runout on the floor. To be sure of the correct measurements, it is wise to hire a specialist.

2. What type of staircase will fit in my stairwell?

With made-to-measure staircases, you discuss with the specialist which type of staircase is suitable for your home. With prefabricated stairs, the dimensions of your stairwell are specified for the stairs to fit. Stair specialists will advise you which stairs are suitable for your stairwell.

3. Is non-slip necessarily necessary?

A wooden staircase finished in silk or high-gloss has smooth treads. It is therefore recommended to place anti-slip on the stairs to prevent slipping. There is also stair lacquer with anti-slip. If you cover your stairs with carpet, you don’t need anti-slip. Do choose a carpet that is not too slippery to increase the safety of your stairs.

4. How long does it take to install a staircase?

Disassembling and installing a staircase often takes a day. If the stairwell needs to be moved or enlarged, or you have unique requirements, the complete process of installing a staircase can take several days.

Tips for finding the best staircase specialist

Are you all set to install the stairs? Then check out these tips so you can find the best staircase specialist at the best price.

1. Check the price structure and terms and conditions carefully:Check in no-obligation quotes what costs are and are not included. For example, consider VAT, dismantling costs, disposal costs and call-out charges. Also read the general conditions carefully, so you know what the guarantee on your staircase and its installation is, for example. This makes it easy to see which staircase specialist is the best choice for you.
2. Compare reviews: All staircase specialists will tell you that they provide good quality. Checking reviews will give you more insight into the staircase specialist’s methods and the experiences of previous customers. Ask the staircase specialist for references if no reviews can be found online.
3. View portfolio:Many staircase specialists have a portfolio of projects they have already carried out. Check this portfolio to see where the staircase specialist has the most experience, and whether your requirements fall within the work that the staircase specialist can carry out without any problems.
4. Check labels: There are several labels that are important for stair specialists. For example, the KOMO quality mark and the VCA quality mark show that the products and construction process are of good quality. If you go for a wooden staircase, the FSC-CoC label shows that the staircase specialist uses sustainable wood to build your staircase. Always check what quality marks your staircase specialist has.