Bespoke Timber Staircases in Edinburgh
A staircase is one of the few pieces of joinery you use every day. South Edinburgh Joinery makes and fits timber staircases and balustrades for Edinburgh homes, from new stairs for loft conversions to replacing tired spindles and handrails on a period stair.
What we make and fit
- New staircases for loft conversions, extensions and remodelled homes.
- Replacement staircases where an existing stair is worn, unsafe or in the wrong place.
- Balustrades: newel posts, handrails and spindles in timber.
- Stair renovations: new treads, cladding over old treads, replacing spindles and handrails, and repairing creaks.
- Matching period details: turned spindles, mouldings and handrail profiles to match an existing Victorian or Edwardian stair.
- Storage under the stairs: drawers, cupboards or a desk built into the space.
Made to measure
Edinburgh homes rarely have a standard floor-to-floor height or a perfectly square stairwell. Tenement conversions, mews houses and older villas all have their quirks. Every staircase we make is measured on site and made to suit the space, so it fits properly and feels right underfoot.
Choosing the timber
The timber you choose affects the look, the durability and the price.
- Oak: hard-wearing with a strong grain. Popular for treads and handrails left with a natural finish.
- Ash: pale and hard-wearing, with a lighter look than oak.
- Walnut: dark and rich, often used for handrails as a feature.
- Softwood or engineered timber for painting: good value for strings and risers that will be painted, often combined with hardwood treads and handrails.
These are common timber choices. The timber for your stair is agreed at the site visit and set out in the written quote.
Building standards
A new staircase has to meet Scottish building standards for things like the rise and going of each step, headroom, the pitch of the stair and guarding at the sides. A new stair for a loft conversion is part of the conversion, which needs a building warrant (mygov.scot). Moving or replacing a stair as part of other alterations may also need one. We build to the approved warrant drawings and can tell you early on whether the space you have can fit a compliant stair. That question is often the deciding factor in whether a loft conversion works.
How it works
- Site visit and survey. We measure the stairwell, floor-to-floor height and headroom.
- Design. We agree layout (straight, quarter-turn, half-turn or winding), timber and balustrade style.
- Written quote. Fixed for the agreed design.
- Making. The stair is made to the survey measurements.
- Fitting. Fitted on site. We plan the work so you are without a usable stair for as little time as possible. The programme is confirmed in the written quote.
- Finishing. Oiled, lacquered or prepared for painting.
Prices
The price depends on the layout, the timber, the balustrade and the rest of the scope. After a home visit we give a fixed written quote for the agreed work.
Where we work
Across Edinburgh, including Morningside, Bruntsfield, the Grange, Marchmont, Merchiston, the New Town, Stockbridge, Trinity and Leith, and into Midlothian.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bespoke staircase cost in Edinburgh?
It depends on the layout, timber, balustrade and the rest of the scope. After a home visit we give a fixed written quote for the agreed work.
Do I need a building warrant for a new staircase?
A new stair for a loft conversion is part of work that needs a warrant. Replacing or moving a stair as part of other alterations may also need one. We will tell you at the site visit and build to the approved drawings.
Can you match my existing period spindles and handrail?
Yes. We can match profiles, turned spindles and mouldings to an existing stair.
Can you renovate my staircase rather than replace it?
Often, yes. New treads, cladding, spindles and handrails can transform a sound stair for less than a full replacement.
How long does it take to fit a new staircase?
It depends on the stair. We plan the fitting so you are without a usable stair for as little time as possible, and we confirm the timescale in the written quote.
Can you fit a stair in a loft with low headroom?
Sometimes. Headroom is one of the main things building standards check. We measure first and tell you honestly whether a compliant stair will fit.
Talk to us about your staircase
Send photos of your stairwell or book a site visit, and we will measure up and give you a written quote.