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I want a new staircase
What do I need to consider if I'm thinking of changing a 'straight up' staircase for one that turns through 90 degrees for the last three steps or so? Are there building regulations that I need to comply with? Would I need to get approval from my council? Or can I just get a carpenter/joiner in? My idea is to lose the dead space at the top of the stairs (currently a small landing) by bringing the partition wall forward to increase the space in that room at the top of the stairs. My house is freehold and it doesn't involve party walls or anything complicated.
- pokem02
I would recommend you do check with your Building Control officer at your local authority as it sounds as if you will encounter certain fire and building regulations. These should be straightforward but with the imminent introduction of HIPS next year, I don't think you can be too cautious.
Secondly, a good joiner will be able to do the job but it would be worth checking out what the specialists can do for you too - it just may be less expensive in the end and they may be able to offer a better design service.
Naomi Cleaver is the presenter of popular prime-time series on domestic design and decoration for Channel 4. Credits include 'Other People's Houses', 'Britain's Best Home' and Naomi's latest series for Channel 4, 'Honey, I Ruined the House'.
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