Case Study: Oak Spindle Staircase Installation in Hampshire

This blog post is written with the intention of explaining what you can expect when hiring Hambledon Staircases to complete your staircase renovation.

Initial Consultation

The first stage in deciding to have the work done is to arrange a design visit. This is entirely free and without any obligation. Nick will visit you in your home and explain the possibilities. He’ll bring samples with him to allow you to imagine the look and feel of your new staircase. We know it’s important to send the expert to the design visit instead of a sales person; Nick can answer all your technical questions and can talk you through any structural changes that you would like.

The Quote

We try to get the quotes to the customer straight away. We can call back to base and run the dimensions through our system over the phone, allowing the customer to have a price then and there. We always follow up with a written quote (usually within 24 hours). This will detail all of the design options the customer has chosen and we can break the price down with optional extras to allow you to pick and choose the things that matter to you. Our quotes include VAT, fitting and finishing. No hidden extras and we never rest until we have a happy customer. If you decide to go ahead, we take a 20% deposit and get you booked into the diary.

The Renovation

Every renovation is unique. For this overview we’ve used a renovation in Lymington completed in May 2018. This renovation was with stop chamfered oak newel posts and spindles. Prior to arriving Nick spent time in the workshop crafting the staircase components, including newel posts and handrails. We use heavy weight 41mm stop chamfered spindles to ensure that the finish is of the highest quality. Before arriving with the customer, we apply the first layer of protective polyx oil to the oak.

Day 1 – The first job of the day when arriving at your home is to lay protective covering on the flooring throughout the area. The hoover is in position so that we can clean as we go and avoid any mess in the home. Once floors are protected Nick removes the existing balustrading. The pace is fast and before the end of day one the new newel posts and handrails are in place. The staircase is starting to take shape. Before leaving for the day the area is vacuumed and cleaned.

Day 2 – Today starts with fitting of the new base rails. These will form a support for the new spindles. We use a wider baserail to support the new 41mm spindles and therefore the carpet needs to be trimmed to suit, Nick does this as sorting out these bits and pieces is all part of our service. The carpet is relaid back into place. Next up is the fitting of the spindles, it’s satisfying to see these going into place. By the end of clean up on day 2 it’s easy to see how the staircase will look once finished.

Day 3 – The customer opted to have the external strings clad in oak veneer to give the appearance of a new solid oak staircase. This is a job for day 3 and Nick completed this and the necessary trim in solid oak. Detail is important and now is the time to go around and dress in the staircase, ensuring it all looks perfect. Newel caps are then fitted and all the oak is given a final sand and oil before work is completed.

Completion

With permission from the owner we take a few snaps which we can show future customers and our work here is done. Another happy customer and another excellent staircase.