Paul Martin, Chanel Marketing Manager for Richard Burbidge looks at how trade professionals can tap into the renovation market and maximise profits.
According to a recent survey, the overwhelming majority (94%) of UK homeowners said they would rather spend money on improving their current home, than sell up and move on.
The improve-rather-than-move trend provides a key opportunity for trade professionals to promote their services, as statistics show homeowners are happy to spend over £5,500 on refurbishment projects to make their home look nicer.
Upgrading stair parts has a dramatic impact on the look and feel of a home, as well as increasing the perceived value, making it a key area for consumers to consider, when investing in their home.
Decline of DIY
With DIY confidence diminishing every year, more homeowners than ever are opting to pay a professional to do it for them – saving time, money and hassle. Hiring a professional to fit stair parts gets the job done efficiently and effectively, as well as providing peace of mind, knowing their homes is 
in safe hands.
Simple steps
There’s a common misconception that changing stair parts is a time-consuming task for installers but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In some cases, new stair parts can be installed in a day, making it an easy win for trade professionals.
Pre-finished stair parts mean there is no disruption to work going on upstairs or downstairs whilst installers wait for the finish to dry, to ensure dust and contaminates do not affect the finish. This can save a considerable amount of time, as sanding, painting or varnishing the balustrades can take longer to do than the installation itself.
To make the job even easier, there are pre-drilled handrail and baserail systems available, such as Richard Burbidge’s Elements range. This means the balustrades can be installed in less than a day. Richard Burbidge’s Fusion connectors hide all saw-cuts to rails and newels – seven saw-cuts versus 125 for a traditional system, with a choice of metal baluster and glass infills supplied ready for use making the system quick and easy to install.
Safety first
Part K of the Building Regulations, states balustrades must be fitted on flights of stairs and landings with a drop of 600mm or more in residential dwellings. This again provides a significant opportunity for trade professionals.
The 1985 regulations advise that, in all buildings lived in by children under five years of age, staircases and landings should be designed to prevent children becoming trapped in or readily being able to climb the guarding. Horizontal, panelled stair balustrades, or ‘ranch style’, are of particular risk of these incidents. Despite these regulations being in existence since 1985, there’s still a need for education within the building industry and homeowners.
Installers are in a prime position to educate homeowners about the risks associated with staircases that don’t meet the new building regulations. Whilst carrying out existing work installers can encourage homeowners to invest in secure balustrades, especially if they have young children or elderly relatives.
Stair style for 2016
When it comes to design, white oak is favoured for its light, airy feel and streamlined look making it a key trend for the home 2016. It’s a clean modern timber and is a good match for contemporary furnishing and living, making it ideal for flooring and stair parts.
Glass is also starting to replace timber infill for stair parts, as homeowners are looking to create the illusion of space with a lighter, brighter entrance to their home.
Keeping on top of key design trends places installers in a prime position to advise homeowners on what they think would work best in their home and keep them updated on key fashions.
Upgrading stair parts provides a wealth of opportunities for trade professionals as a refurbished staircase can instantly increase the perceived value of a home, making it an ideal project for consumers to invest in. The further decline of DIY also provides a key opportunity for installers to promote their services, as well as taking the opportunity to educate homeowners on the importance of stair safety.
