2023 hasn’t been an easy year for house developers, as the signs of a slowdown in the housing market are becoming more evident. Economic uncertainty, an increase in mortgage rates, and the approaching conclusion of the government's Help to Buy scheme are all contributing factors to this trend.
Large volume builders (such as Barratt, Persimmon and so on) are increasingly concerned by labour shortages and changes in regulation, whilst smaller independent homebuilders are navigating their way through planning processes.
In today's challenging environment, productivity and profitability have been more important than ever. If you've experienced any of the difficulties mentioned above, you know the critical need to optimize efficiency and maintain a profitable built process at every stage.
Staircases are an integral part of any housebuild project, and striking the right balance between production costs and operational efficiency is crucial task for housebuilders and property developers. We understand the challenges of managing costs while maintaining quality, so here are some of the best staircase ideas for developers that won't put a dent in your budget and see how being creative with your design can still be profitable!
But before that…
Don’t forget, consulting a staircase specialist at the beginning of your project is the best way to ensure you get value for your money. A staircase specialist with a good track record will have extensive industry knowledge and experience when it comes to perfecting staircases that maximise your budget while achieving a quality finish.
Consider partnering with a company that goes the extra mile to offer regular advice on how to optimize your specifications. Look for a team that is passionate about identifying opportunities and features that may not have crossed your mind, delivering impactful solutions within the same budget.
Maximising Style On A Budget: Modern Staircase Designs
Staircase Design Featuring Carpet
Carpeting is one of the easiest ways to save money on your stairs. You can choose a cost-effective alternative to hardwood for the treads and risers, such as MDF and plywood, as neither will be visible after the carpet has been laid.
See how we incorporated carpet in one of our projects with a leading high-end house builder in Medstead. This successful project is is a prime example of how luxury can be achieved on a budget.
Painted Stairs
By painting your stairs, you can opt for timber like redwood pine instead of walnut, which is a premium timber with a more luxurious finish. A white base colour will also give you a clean foundation to customize your design and will look great with the addition of a carpet runner to the treads.
When working on a handful of luxury new builds, Chartridge Developments enlisted Multi-Turn's help to fill the vast entrance hall with a grand but elegant statement staircase produced using redwood pine and finished with knotting coats and primer to help seal the timber. It gives a smooth base for topcoats to be applied on-site.
Softwood Stairs with Hardwood Balustrade
Combining softwoods and hardwoods is a great way to bring the price of your stairs down while still achieving a premium look. This option has been particularly popular with developers, including one of our clients who was building a site of 65 houses.
They opted for softwood stairs with ash handrails across all their homes and added our pre-primed option to seal the timber which saved them time and money on-site.
Softwood Stairs with Glass Balustrade
In cases where your budget stretches that bit further, you could consider incorporating a glass balustrade into the design of a standard softwood staircase. The element of glass is also a top staircase design trend of 2023. Glass finishings such as balustrades and handrails have seen a rise in popularity. The use of glass panels can create a feeling of support while creating visual space and allowing natural light to flow.
We combined their softwood carpeted stairs with a bracketed glass balustrade in one project, which blended seamlessly with the interior and brightened up a fairly closed-off stairwell.
Conclusion
When you’re building a home (or series of homes), budget and profitability are undoubtedly top of your priorities.
But don't let that hold you back from achieving a stylish, contemporary staircase design. Consulting a staircase specialist like Multi-Turn can help you get the most out of your budget while still achieving a premium look.
Get in touch with us today on 01962 712299 or email web-enq@multiturn.co.uk. to discuss your requirements and find out how we can help protect your budget and maximise profits on your next project.
