Things to consider when choosing a joiner to fit your staircase

So, you’ve chosen your dream staircase. It’s going to look magnificent. But who do you trust to fit it? You shouldn’t trust just anyone to look after your pride and joy. Below we take you through some of our top tips for finding and choosing the right joiner / carpenter to fit it for you.

Three is the magic number

Try to get a minimum of three quotes from people so you can compare the quotes against each other. The more the better, really.

Don’t just look at the cost

There’s often a correlation between paying the lowest rate and getting a poor service, but it’s definitely not scientific. The cheapest option could be the best, but there’s a lot more to consider than how much the project will cost and how long it will take.

Get a detailed quote

When you’re talking to tradespeople, make sure you get a full breakdown of what they’ll do and how much it will cost. Are they considering all the materials they’ll need? Have they accounted for all the extra labour they may need to bring in to help them install your staircase? Have they included costs for all the waste recycling and skip hire, for example? Make sure you’re clear on what you’re paying for.

Looking after your property

Your home is your castle, so it needs to be looked after. Ask your prospective joiners if their service includes any aftercare and if they have the right insurances in place should the worse happen.

Ask about qualifications

You don’t necessarily need a joiner who has a ream of professional qualifications, particularly as many will have ‘come through the ranks’ as apprentices or simply learnt on the job. But there are good qualifications out there that help to recognise someone’s worth. It might be a good idea to ask if they have any NVQs or City and Guilds qualifications, and if they’re a member of any professional body, like the British Woodworking Federation or the Institute of Carpenters.

Ask to see their previous work

Ask them if they can show you examples of similar jobs they’ve done before. If they’re particularly proud of some of the work, they’ll no doubt have some pictures to show you – or even a testimonial from the homeowner. Many of them will have social media profiles, and there are plenty of websites that collate reviews of tradespeople, so try to have a look around to see what people are saying about them.

Don’t forget to pay

Your chosen joiner definitely won’t forget to invoice, but it’s only fair to pay on time. Depending on the job they may require a deposit up-front – if lots of materials are needed, for example. But never pay the whole amount up front. Most payments are made when the job has been completed.