Your Complete Guide to the Staircase Installation Process

Getting a new staircase fitted is one of those home projects people tend to underestimate. On the surface, it sounds simple enough - out with the old, in with the new. But in practice, staircase installation encompasses several crucial steps that, if rushed or handled poorly, can cause real problems long after the fitters have packed up and left.

Whether you're replacing a tired, dated structure or adding stairs to a newly built space, knowing what's actually involved makes the whole thing far less stressful. This guide walks you through the full process - from the first site survey right through to the final spindle being secured in place - so you can plan properly and ask the right questions from day one.

Choosing Your Staircase Style Before Anything Else

Before a single measurement is taken or any materials are ordered, you need to settle on a style. This is, arguably, the most enjoyable part of the process. It's also where decisions can drag on if you're not clear on what you want - or what your space can realistically accommodate.

Common Staircase Types

• Straight - the most practical option for most homes, easier to fit and generally more cost-effective

• L-shaped - a 90-degree turn that adds visual interest and works well in wider hallways or split-level layouts

• U-shaped - grand, spacious, typically seen in larger homes or commercial settings

• Spiral - distinctive and space-saving, but requires specialist installation techniques

• Floating or open-tread - a popular contemporary choice, though more structurally complex

Material Options Worth Thinking About

The material you choose affects everything - the look, the lead time, the cost, and even the fitting method itself. The main materials used across staircases in Ireland are:

• Wood - timeless, warm, bespoke-friendly, and available in a wide range of finishes. Oak remains probably the most popular choice for Irish homes right now, and for good reason.

• Glass - works brilliantly in contemporary settings, lets light pass through, and creates a real sense of openness. Worth noting: glass panels and balustrades require more precise installation.

• Metal - clean, modern, structurally robust, and often paired with wood treads for a mixed-material finish

• Combinations - staircases that blend wood, glass, and steel are increasingly common and often the most visually striking result

Spend real time at this stage. Changing your mind once manufacturing has started will cost extra and push the timeline back considerably.

The Pre-Installation Stage - Surveys, Design & Measurements

Once you have a rough idea of what you want, the practical groundwork begins. This pre-installation phase is, in many ways, the most important part of the whole project. Get it right here, and everything else tends to follow.

The Site Survey

A professional fitter will visit to assess the space in detail. This typically involves:

• Measuring the total rise - the floor-to-floor height

• Checking headroom clearance above the staircase line

• Reviewing the existing structural opening or stairwell dimensions

• Identifying any potential obstacles, such as hidden pipes, beams, or awkward angles

Don't be surprised if this stage turns out to be something unexpected. It happens fairly often, particularly in older Irish properties where walls aren't always square and floors aren't always level. A good fitter will flag these early rather than discover them on installation day.

Design Sign-Off

After the survey, you'll typically receive a design proposal or technical drawing. This is your chance to:

• Confirm the layout and overall configuration

• Finalise material choices - treads, risers, handrail, stair spindles, newel posts, and base rails

• Review finish and stain options if wood is involved

• Ask any outstanding questions before manufacturing begins

This step matters more than people realise. Once production starts, changes become expensive. Read through everything carefully, and if something isn't clear, ask before signing off.

Manufacturing Lead Times

After design approval, your staircase components go into production. For bespoke staircases, this can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on complexity, materials, and the manufacturer's current schedule. Standard or semi-bespoke options are often quicker - sometimes under 2 weeks - but it's always worth confirming lead times upfront so you can plan the rest of your build or renovation accordingly.

Preparing Your Home for the Fitters

A bit of preparation makes a real difference here. Fitters genuinely can't do their best work if the space isn't ready - and a wasted visit due to an unfinished opening or wet plaster can set your project back by days.

What Should Be Done Before Fitters Arrive

• The structural opening must be fully formed - in a new build or extension, this means floors, walls, and any header beam should all be in place

• The subfloor at both the top and bottom landings should be level, solid, and secure

• Nearby plastering, electrics, and plumbing should ideally be finished before the staircase structure goes in - fitting around wet trades is messy and risky

• If you're removing an existing staircase, clarify with your contractor who handles that - sometimes the installation team includes it, sometimes they don't

It's also sensible to protect nearby flooring, walls, and furniture. Installation involves tools, dust, and a fair amount of movement through the house. A bit of sheeting and careful access planning goes a long way.

The Staircase Installation Process - Step by Step

This is where the physical work begins. The installation process varies depending on staircase type and configuration, but most projects follow a fairly consistent sequence. Understanding each stage helps you know what's happening and why - and what questions to raise if something doesn't look right.

Step 1 - Setting Out

The fitter marks the exact position of the staircase structure on the floor and wall, checking levels and plumb lines carefully. This step is the foundation for everything that follows, so it takes time to get right.

Step 2 - Installing the Strings

Strings are the two side supports running the full length of the stairs. One is fixed to the wall (the wall string), and the other is left open on the exposed side (the open string). Getting these levels and properly securing them is critical to the structural integrity of the whole staircase.

Step 3 - Fitting Treads and Risers

Treads are the horizontal sections you step on. Risers are the vertical panels between each tread. On open-tread designs, risers are left out entirely, which slightly changes the fitting method. On timber staircases, adhesive is typically used alongside mechanical fixings to prevent squeaking further down the line - something that's easy to get wrong if shortcuts are taken at this stage.

Step 4 - Fixing the Newel Posts

Newel posts are the large vertical posts located at the top, bottom, and any turning points of the staircase. They're structural, not just decorative. A newel post needs to be bolted securely - typically through the floor or directly into the string - because it anchors the entire balustrade system above it.

Step 5 - Installing the Handrail, Base Rails, and Spindles

With the newel posts in place, the handrail and base rails can be fitted. Stair spindles - sometimes called balusters - are then installed between the base rail and the underside of the handrail. Depending on the design, these might be turned wood, square-section timber, metal rods, or glass panels. Spacing is important here, particularly if young children will be using the stairs. Current Irish building regulations require spindles to be no more than 100mm apart.

Step 6 - Final Checks and Finishing

Once everything is structurally in place, the fitter checks every element for correct line, level, and security. Exposed fixings are concealed with caps or fillets, joints are tightened, and the whole installation is reviewed for snags. Staining, painting, or varnishing may be done on-site or handed over to a decorator - this should be agreed in advance.

How Long Does a Staircase Installation Take?

This is probably the question asked most often, and the honest answer is: it depends. A standard straight staircase replacement in an average home can typically be completed in 1 to 2 days. A bespoke, multi-flight installation in a larger property might take a full week or more.

The manufacturing stage is almost always where the bulk of the waiting happens - not the fitting itself.

Stage	Typical Timeframe
Initial site survey	1-2 hours on-site
Design and approval	3-7 days
Manufacturing (bespoke)	2-6 weeks
Removal of old staircase	Half a day to 1 full day
Installation (standard straight)	1-2 days
Installation (complex or bespoke)	3-7 days
Final snag and finishing	1-2 days

If your timeline is tight, ask about semi-bespoke or modular options, which can significantly reduce production lead times without sacrificing quality.

What Can Delay a Staircase Installation?

Even with a well-planned project, things can move. Knowing the most common causes of delays helps you prepare for them - and in some cases, sidestep them entirely.

• Structural surprises on-site - out-of-level floors, unexpectedly thick walls, or hidden beams can all require remedial work before installation can begin

• Late design changes - altering materials or dimensions after sign-off almost always push the timeline back

• Unfinished building work - if plastering, electrics, or floor finishes aren't complete when fitters arrive, the job may be postponed or left requiring a second visit

• Difficult access - narrow hallways, awkward ceiling heights, and restricted entry points all slow things down

• Material lead times - certain timber species, glass specifications, or metal finishes simply take longer to source, particularly for bespoke builds

Perhaps the most useful thing you can do is be honest with your contractor about the property's condition. A good staircase company will flag risks early rather than turn up on the day and find a wall half-plastered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission to replace a staircase in Ireland?

In most cases, replacing a domestic staircase is considered exempt development under Irish planning regulations and does not require planning permission. However, if the property is a protected structure or if the project involves significant structural changes to the building, it is worth checking with your local authority before work begins. Always confirm the position with your contractor early in the process, particularly when working in older or protected properties where rules can vary.

Can a new staircase be fitted into an existing opening?

Yes, in most situations this is possible. The key factor is whether the existing opening meets the minimum headroom and width requirements for the new design. A site survey will confirm this before any work is agreed. In some cases, minor adjustments to the opening may be needed - widening it slightly, or raising a header - and this is more common in older homes where original openings were built to different standards.

What are stair spindles, and are they always required?

Stair spindles, also referred to as balusters, are the vertical infill elements running between the base rail and handrail along the open side of a staircase. Some form of guarding is always required on open sides for safety compliance. However, traditional spindles can be replaced by glass panels, steel rods, or solid timber infill panels depending on the style chosen. Your installer should confirm what's required under current Irish building regulations for the specific design you're planning.

What is the difference between newel posts and spindles?

Newel posts are the large, load-bearing vertical posts positioned at the base, top, and turning points of a staircase. They anchor the entire balustrade system. Spindles, by contrast, are the smaller vertical elements installed between the base rail and handrail along the run of the stairs. Both are essential stair parts, but they serve quite different structural roles. Newel posts carry load and provide rigidity, while spindles primarily act as infill guarding between the structural posts.

How do I choose between wood and glass for my staircase balustrade?

It largely comes down to the style of your home and how much natural light you want to preserve in the hallway. Wood is warmer, more forgiving in older properties, and tends to be more budget-friendly. Glass works well in contemporary settings, opens up sightlines, and allows light to pass freely through the space - but it requires precise fitting and a little more effort to maintain clean. Many homeowners in Ireland opt for a combination of both, which balances warmth and modernity well.

Will a new staircase add value to my home?

A well-designed, properly installed staircase can genuinely improve how a home presents and how it's valued - particularly if the existing structure is tired, creaky, or visually dated. In hallways and entrances where the staircase is immediately visible upon entering, quality craftsmanship makes a strong first impression. On its own, it won't transform a property's value, but as part of a broader renovation, a bespoke staircase is a worthwhile investment, especially when quality materials and skilled installation are involved.

Ready to Plan Your New Staircase? Talk to Bavari

Installing a new staircase is one of those projects where the quality of the team you choose matters just as much as the materials themselves. At Bavari, we manage everything from the initial site survey right through to the final fitting - bespoke staircases, designed and installed to the highest standard across Ireland. Get in touch today to arrange your free consultation and find out what's possible for your home.