Why Hire A Stair Contractor?
How many times do you go up and down your stairs every day? It’s probably more times than you realize. In most homes the stairs are the only way to get from one floor to another. When contemplating a major remodeling project, like a stair remodel, think carefully about the pros and cons before deciding to DIY. For most people, a better question is why wouldn’t you hire a stair contractor? Many of the skills needed for such a project are outside the skill set of most homeowners’. Stairways and railings are often a difficult challenge for even the best general contractors. You don’t want to get stuck in the middle of a big project that’s time consuming and technically difficult to finish. That can turn into a nightmare really fast. Here are a few things to consider when trying to decide if a stair or railing remodel is something you should do on your own, or hire a stair builder to complete.
A Stair Contractor Saves Time
For many of us, time is our most valuable commodity. We have so many things in our lives that require our time. Our children and their activities. Our full-time employment. Basic car and home maintenance. Spending time with family and friends…and the list goes on. Do you have the additional time to take on a new project? Stair replacements or remodels are not a weekend project. These types of projects can take several days or even weeks depending on the size and complexity. Does your schedule allow for your routines to be disrupted for long periods of time? If your answer to any of these questions is no, then you may want to consider hiring a stair contractor.
A contractor has one valuable thing you don’t have—experience. Having experience will ultimately save you both time and money. Trial and error for any of us is time consuming and costly. Another benefit to hiring a stair contractor is that you can make a formal contract with your stair professional. Part of that contract can include a schedule of how long the project will take. Your professional will be under contract to keep your project on schedule. Another benefit is that your contractor can devote much more time than you can to completing your project. For many reasons, hiring a contractor will get your project completed faster and cheaper.
A Stair Contractor has Highly Specialized Skills
You may be very capable around your home making basic repairs, but do you have the skills and tools to demo and then replace the staircase and guardrails? Many precise measurements and technical know how are needed to ensure this project is done right. Are you familiar with the building codes in your area? If you’re rebuild your stairs and they’re not up to code, this could make for an uncomfortable walking stair, create unnecessary hazards, as well as affect the resale value of your home later.
Hiring a skilled stair contractor is worth the upfront expense. Stair contractors are well versed in the current building codes, have the experience, training, and specialized tools to complete the job right the first time. In the end saving you time, money, and the inconvenience of a prolonged construction project disrupting your daily routine.
Choosing the right one
When choosing a stair contractor, always look at their portfolio of past projects and ask for references. Make sure they are licensed and insured. Look at their website for testimonials and to learn a little more about them. Does their staircase portfolio illustrate they’re capable of complex circular free-standing stair projects or have they only done basic straight stairs? How long have they been in business? Do they have an actual business location where you can meet, review plans, see and touch different materiel and part options, or are they just doing business out of their truck or home? A retail location speaks to their commitment and staying power. Do they offer a warranty? Do they have in house installers or are they hiring that work out?
Lastly when comparing estimates from different Stair builders its critical that you ensure you’re comparing apples to apples. Very often one stair builder will include things the other is not. One indicator that you’re not getting apples to apples is there’s a big difference between estimate prices. The best way to ensure this is to have a detailed discussion with one of the stair contractors so you feel comfortable he has included everything you want, then simply black out the price on his estimate and have everyone else price that same estimate. Once you’ve done this remember that there are differences in how people define quality, in both their installation & materials. This will also effect the cost. The cheapest isn’t always the best deal. A little homework upfront will pay off in the end. Hiring a stair builder that you thoroughly trust will go a long way to achieving a beautiful staircase that you’ll be proud to have in your home or business and enjoy for years to come.
