4 Cost-Effective Staircase Design Ideas For Housebuilders

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 optimise 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…

Consult with a staircase specialist


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 optimise 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 softwood, as it will not 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 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 customise 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 Roffey homes, who built a site of 32 houses.

They opted for softwood stairs with oak 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.

Glass finishings such as balustrades 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 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 to discuss your requirements and find out how we can help protect your budget and maximise profits on your next project.

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If you would like to discuss a specific live project, want us to review your new project plans, or just want to speak to one of our team, please get in touch using our contact form.