Three things to know
- Provide both finished levels and the available space.
- Material does not replace geometry and structural design.
- Include site preparation and surrounding finishing in scope.
Contents of this guide
Show both levels and the entire route
Photograph the location from the start to the end of the steps and identify which adjacent areas are finished and which will change. Attach any design and target-level information. The number and size of steps should not be guessed from a photograph. Divide the quote into site preparation, the structure and surrounding finishing.
Prepare level-difference and space information
An approximate level difference and available length and width help initially. Explain how the measurements were obtained and label rough estimates. The detailed solution must use verified information and future levels of both areas.
This guide does not specify step numbers, dimensions or construction. Those are established for the actual project. If adjoining areas will change height, today's measured conditions must not be presented as the final brief.
Material is only part of the decision
State the appearance and material wanted, attaching chosen system documents if available. You can enquire with us about outdoor steps as part of small construction projects. The actual specification and scope are agreed against the brief.
The design needs to address the relationship to surroundings, the base and any other required elements. Do not automatically include handrails, lighting or adjacent terrace work in the same item. Each interface needs a scope and contractor.
Separate preparation, structure and surrounding alterations
State whether old steps are being removed, ground altered or a new location used. Add known utilities and underground structures. Resolve the technical brief before actual execution; a quote should not stand in for a missing design.
Preparation can be coordinated with excavation and material transport by agreement. Identify separately where removed material goes and what is finished around the steps. You can then compare quotes without confusing the structure alone with the entire site alteration.
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
| Information | What it helps clarify |
|---|---|
| Photographs of both adjoining areas | Purpose and relationship to surroundings |
| Levels and available space | Inputs for the actual design |
| Material or system | The required specification and its documents |
| Existing condition and known obstacles | Preparation and removal scope |
| List of additional elements | Supply responsibilities and subsequent trades |
Example: the garden is still being levelled
An owner orders new steps, but the lower garden area has no confirmed final level. An estimate from today's ground could therefore use a level that will no longer apply after further work.
First clarify finished levels and design responsibility. The quote can then use a specific brief and coordination with landscaping. This example is not a SORTI project or a universal construction solution.
What to send and how to compare the quote
Send the municipality, photographs, known dimensions and any design. Add the material, condition of the upper and lower areas and preferred date. Photograph access and unloading space, particularly if work is behind the house.
Look for preparation, removal of original elements, supply, execution, transport and finishing in the quote. Assumptions and outstanding documents should be clear. A matching brief is more useful for comparison than the number of steps alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the number of steps enough for a price?
No. Space, levels, design, material, existing conditions and related work scope all matter.
Can I also enquire about removing old steps?
Yes. Give the material, dimensions, photographs and relationship to surroundings. Options and the actual scope are confirmed against the documents.
Are handrails or lighting part of the order?
Only if explicitly agreed, including the responsible supplier. Do not infer them automatically from a steps quote.
Does this guide determine staircase dimensions?
No. It helps prepare information for a particular design and quote; it does not replace dimensional or structural design.
Send the connection between areas and available documents
Mark the upper and lower locations, current and future levels, and surrounding work scope. Add photographs and the design's preparation status.