The Process
Two weeks per staircase
I’m always asked, “How long will the project take once begun?” My stock answer is 2 weeks per staircase, longer if there are more extensive hallway nosings and rails or custom work. Of course, many variables contribute to variations in the timeline, for example: whether work must be stopped for other trades, stain match challenges, dry time delays, supply delays, etc.
Stair work occupies the main throughways of the home and requires a dust, debris, and traffic-controlled environment. It does not work well with other trades on-site.
Stair work demands a relatively dust-free, debris-free, and traffic-controlled environment for both practical and safety purposes. For this reason, I recommend that Harmony be the last trade in, even if it means doing the stair work after the client has moved in, following an extensive renovation.
The Process can be divided into 3 stages:
- Before installation
- During installation
- Post-Installation
Before Installation
Clients typically reach me via one of 4 methods:
- Email- harmonystairs@gmail.com
Text messaging- 905.431.0452
Phone- 905.431.0452
Any of these works. Please be aware that I like to stay focused on the task at hand and follow up between tasks. The task at hand is typically working with power tools, saws, stains, and urethanes, or talking with the client or supplier who is in front of me, or driving to or from said client or supplier. So answering the phone and taking notes doesn’t work well. If you choose to call, leave a message, and I will follow up between tasks.
I will confirm basic contact information often ask for some pics of your staircase to get a sense of what the project will involve. Once things are established, I usually switch to email for sharing documents and text messaging for moment-to-moment conversations and updates.
- The in-home consultation usually takes about an hour to discuss options, get a clear vision of project elements, and take measurements and notes in your home.
- The online consultation consists of you sending pics of your staircase, from various angles, to show key elements, sending a pic of the style you are looking to create (the Harmony Gallery and Options pages can be helpful here), and answering a number of questions about quantities and style options.
All notes, quantities, and measurements are transferred to a parts and labour consult sheet, which can then be used to generate a detailed and itemized estimate. This estimate is then sent via email, usually within 3 days of the consultation.
Once you give me the go-ahead, we discuss a projected installation date, along with a timeline for any preliminary work required (such as, installing hall nosing prior to flooring installation). No deposit is necessary until templates are made, stain-match process commences, and parts are being ordered (typically, about 2 weeks before work is about to start.
During Installation (based on 1 set of stairs)
1. For Recap Staircase
- Drop off tools (sometimes done a day early)
- Remove any stair covering (eg, carpet)
- Remove railing parts
- Cut stair noses, fill, and patch stringers
- Provide a temporary safety rail
- Sand and 2nd coat of patch on the stringers
- Conduct other work off-site (eg, preparing treads, risers, or rails)
- Sand, prime, and paint stringers
- Complete treads, risers, and rail-sanding in the Harmony workshop
- 2nd installment payment
- Order rail parts
- Install stair parts (treads, risers, and trim)
- Install any hall nosing not already installed
- Stain and finish hallway nosings
- Install posts, rails, and spindles
- Stain and finish posts, rails, and spindles
- Clean up, pack up, take away garbage
2. For Stair Refinish
- Drop off tools (sometimes done a day early)
- Remove any stair covering (eg, carpet)
- Remove railing parts
- Start the 9 sanding stages on the stairs
- Provide a temporary safety rail
- Continue the 9 sanding stages on the stairs
- Complete the 9 sanding stages
- If time is available, start the stain process on the stairs
- Stain and finish the stairs
- Complete stain and finish, and start caulking and painting stringers
- 2nd installment payment
- Order rail parts
- Complete any workshop prep necessary off-site
- Install risers and trim
- Install any hall nosing not already installed
- Stain and finish hallway nosings
- Install posts, rails, and spindles
- Stain and finish railing parts
- Clean up, pack up, take away garbage
- Final payment
Of course, this framework makes a number of assumptions. I’m assuming one set of stairs with a fairly small section of hall railings, painted stringers and risers, refinishing the existing rails, but changing to new posts and spindles. A lot of variables can go into a stair renovation, and this can easily change the timeline.
Post-Installation
If there are any touch-ups required, they are typically addressed within the first few days following completion.
While the standard renovation warranty of one year applies, I tend to develop long-standing relationships with my clients and am generally on call to assist should accidents happen or repairs be needed for well below my standard rate.
Clients often follow Harmony on Facebook to see and comment on new pics or developments that are posted.
Everyone likes to have “a guy” they can refer with confidence. My clients tend to refer me to family and friends. This is the relationship I am looking to cultivate on every job. I take special efforts to take care of those who are referred by past clients.
Occasionally, a new client will ask to see a staircase that is similar to what they are looking to do. In such cases, I might call on a past client to request to show off their stairs to an appreciative party.
Contact me
The best way to reach me is via text messaging or email.
I like to stay focused on the task at hand and follow up between tasks. Text is good for this but you can call and leave a message, and I will follow up when I can take notes.
- harmonystairs@gmail.com
- 905-431-0452