Start a staircase fitting and refurbishment business
Fit new staircases and refurbish tired ones in homes, working from a van and ordering parts from trade suppliers.
- £2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
22,443 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 43320 “Joinery installation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Fitting ready-made or supplier-made staircases, and updating existing ones with new treads, risers, spindles, handrails and newel posts. You work on site and order components from timber merchants or stair manufacturers.
Your first three steps
- Price up a basic tool kit and van needs, and open trade accounts with a local timber merchant and a stair parts supplier
- Put together a few before and after photos from practice jobs, friends' homes or past work, and set up a simple page or social profile
- Introduce yourself to local builders, kitchen fitters and estate agents and offer a free site visit and quote
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, small builders and developers who need a stair fitted or updated without hiring a full building team.
How it makes money
Fixed price per job quoted after a site visit, covering materials with a margin plus your labour. Refurbishments are often quicker and cheaper for the customer than a full replacement.
Skills that help
- Carpentry and joinery
- Accurate measuring and setting out
- Quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and tools cover for your kit and van
- Staircases must meet Building Regulations (such as rise, going and headroom); check with your local building control about when approval is needed
- Heavy lifting and awkward spaces, plan for safe handling and a second pair of hands on big jobs
- Check what a home or van-based set-up needs if you store timber or tools at home
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: staircase fitter and refurbisher
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a staircase fitting business?
Our estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on your tools, van and insurance. Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many jobs you take on.
What rules should I check before fitting staircases?
Check that staircases meet Building Regulations, such as rise, going and headroom, and ask your local building control when approval is needed. Also check public liability and tools cover, safe handling of heavy loads, and what storing timber or tools at home requires.
What skills and time do I need to fit staircases?
You need carpentry and joinery skills, accurate measuring and setting out, and good quoting and customer service. Our estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week. Plan for a second pair of hands on big jobs.
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