According to a recent survey, homeowners plan to spend £24.3bn on their properties this year. With house prices continuing to rise during 2015, home improvement projects are high on the agenda for many consumers, with aesthetic alterations (47%) and redecorating rooms (46%) coming in as the two top priorities for homeowners this year*.

A refurbished staircase can instantly increase the perceived value of a home, making it an ideal project for consumers to invest in, whether they are moving in or out. The growing ‘Do it for me’ trend opens new doors to installers, with statistics showing young people in particular are very interested in improving their homes, but don’t want to do it for themselves.

Merchants should take the opportunity to promote stair parts in their branch, and make sure that all staff are up-to-date with the latest ranges, including the features and benefits of each product. Doing this will place them in a trusted and respected position, as they are able to advise their customers which products are best suited to the project they are completing.

*Rated People.

Josh Burbidge is commercial director at Richard Burbidge.