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Your staircase is the largest piece of furniture in your home. It gets daily use, and you can’t help but notice it. For this reason, we believe that a staircase should be more than simply functional—it should be a design feature that demands attention, drawing your gaze and enhancing your home’s beauty and liveability. As the leading staircase renovators in Cheshire, our expert team stands ready to bring your renovation ideas to life with precision and an eye for detail. From new oak cladding that preserves the character in period homes to installing striking glass balustrades for a more modern look and everything in between, no staircase renovation is too big a challenge for First Step Designs.
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Visit our Inspiration Gallery and like the photos that inspire you. When you’re done, simply click on ‘See My Favourites’ to contact us through our portal.
We’ll get back to you to discuss your project and provide an accurate quotation within 24 hours, all without a visit to your home.
Alternatively, give us a call at +44 1782 959300 to get started right away!
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Following a quotation a qualified designer will visit your home to survey your staircase and discuss final detailing and design options.
One visit it all we need, the next people you see will be our installation team!
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After you've approved your installation drawings, we roll up our sleeves and start crafting. Some created by hand, while others benefit from cutting-edge production techniques.
We have a deep passion for creative woodworking
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Our unique French Polishing studio allows us to create a range of beautiful finishes to complement your home.
Not only protecting the timber but enhancing its natural beauty in a range of colours and textures.
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Our experienced Staffordshire-based installation team will breathe new life into old stairs—professionally and the first time around—over the course of the next 48 to 72 hours.
Our 5-step process to professionally refurbished stairs couldn’t be simpler.
As mentioned above, your staircase matters. You see and use it multiple times daily, it affects how safe and livable your home is, and it has the potential to seriously boost—or harm—your home’s resale value. A well-planned staircase renovation not only enhances your home’s aesthetics but also makes it a safer and more comfortable environment.
First Step Designs recommends that you consider a staircase renovation if:
In the UK, staircase renovations must comply with both Building Regulations Approved Document K and potential Approved Document M.
First Step Designs offers nationwide staircase renovation services. Please reach out to our team today for a zero-cost and obligation-free assessment of what it would take to turn your existing stairs into an architectural masterpiece.
Embedded glass balustrades feature seamless and hidden fixings, sliding into pre-cut grooves in the base- and handrail. The balustrades are held in position by high-quality silicones for no movement. Embedded glass balustrades are better for clients seeking a minimalist or seamless build without visible clamps. These balustrades may be more expensive than clamped glass balustrades as the baserail design is more complex and requires additional labour during installation.
Clamped glass balustrades feature glass panels that are attached using stainless steel or aluminium clamps attached to the newel posts or handrails. They’re easier and cheaper to install and ideal for homeowners who prefer a modern or industrial look.
As a UK staircase industry leader, First Step Designs provides in-home measurements for all staircase renovations—ensuring peace of mind for both you and us.
Taking measurements for a new balustrade is a bit more complex than you might imagine. While there are tonnes of online resources available, including video walkthroughs, even the slightest mistake or miscalculation can lead to unsafe, unsightly, and poor-quality stairs.
If you’re working with a true professional, they won’t leave anything to chance and will insist on taking the measurements themselves. Be suspicious of a contractor that would take thousands of pounds from you without personally double-checking the measurements.
Using trigonometry, we can estimate the height and width of each treat based on the average tread size and the maximum riser height as outlined by UK building regulations. This allows us to provide accurate quotations. If you’re satisfied with our quote and wish to proceed, the First Step Designs surveying team will visit your property to present sames, share 3D visuals, and carry out a full technical survey of your staircase.
Yes, you can. This is actually more common than one might think, as balustrades are often one of the first staircase components to wear out, especially in older homes or homes with very active children who pull on them. It's important to note that the replacement newel posts, spindles, and handrails must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document K’s specifications for minimum height and spindle gap size.
The most common materials for staircase renovations are wood, metal and glass. Realistically, you can renovate a staircase with any staircase building material—it all comes down to your expectations and the renovation budget.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we have to acknowledge the skills and expertise that professional staircase designers bring to the table. We recommend taking some time to find images of stairs that you like and discussing them with your design team.
Comments like ‘I love this type of balustrade’ or ‘this finish would go well with x, y, and z in my home’ help us immeasurably and guide us in creating 3D mock-ups of stairs that suit your style and home.
At First Step Designs, we know how crucial the right staircase is and encourage open, honest client feedback. We need you to love your stairs, not just like them!
Yes, it is. Staircases are the largest home feature in many homes, and they are both functional and a focal point. They’re the first thing you see when entering a home, and they immediately make a statement.
Upgrading your stairs gives you the chance to impress prospective buyers with designs that bring the whole interior aesthetic together, maximise the available space, and improve the home's safety and functionality. The right materials—high-quality oak, glass, or skilled ironmongery—can create the desired feeling of luxury that appeals to buyers.
While the entire project, from making first contact with the design team to the final post-renovation sweep-up, may take as few as 4 weeks and up to 8 to 10 weeks in busier periods, the actual installation is typically completed over 2-3 days. Minor renovations may be completed in as little as one day.
Bespoke staircase renovations can vary significantly in cost; however, most projects end up with a final bill of between £4,000 and £9,000. There are several factors that influence the final cost, including the design complexity, material choices, and installation difficulty. While prefabricated or commercially produced alternatives may be a cheaper option, they lack the uniqueness or high-quality craftsmanship bespoke staircase renovations offer.
If your stairs have become outdated or unsafe, or you wish to boost your home’s resale value, we strongly recommend speaking to expert designers who can help you make the right call for your home.
Consult our blog post, How Much Does a Staircase Renovation Cost, for a more detailed answer.
