FIXTURES & FINISHES
supply and installation cost, giving you the option of self-assembly. Given many custom-made staircases are
straightforward to fit, it may well prove a more economical option to have your builder install yours – but make sure you get a price first.
Any installation price a company provides will most likely be a little inflated to allow for any necessary travel and accommodation, which of course would not be part of your builder’s fee.
To keep your new staircase within a respectable budget, the best advice is to keep the design simple. The most economical solution would be a traditional, straight flight formed with softwood treads and stringers and ply risers. However this style is unlikely to provide the impact of a custom-made design. If you are looking for something a little more striking and modern in keeping with your new build or refurbishment, gather some inspiration from the internet, magazines and TV shows and put together a mood board of your favourites.
It is important to prioritise a list of the elements and materials you would really like to have – for example oak treads, glass balustrade – and be prepared for the fact that you might have to make sacrifices to meet your budget. Perhaps opting for stained beech rather than walnut steps, or having a stud wall at the first floor level instead of a matching glass balustrade, might be a better fit for your budget. If you can influence the design at the early stages and need to keep costs down it’s advisable to specify a straight flight configuration – or at least stay away from curves! Your architect and builder should be able to give you an indication of costs at this stage, before
july/august 2017
Be prepared for the fact that you might have to make sacrifices to meet your budget
you filter down your selection and contact specialist companies for a precise quotation.
When getting quotations ensure they are for a ‘like for like’ product and check if the price includes fitting or is supply only. Also check if it is possible to see the product in a property or a showroom to ensure you’re satisfied with the quality before proceeding. There are more specialist staircase
companies operating in the UK than ever before, each with their own beautiful array of designs. Enjoy gathering inspiration, but remember the more ambitious the design and shape and the more unusual the materials, the higher the price of the stair is likely to ascend.
Nick Rackham is managing director at Complete Stair Systems
www.sbhonline.co.uk 59
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