Is your staircase DIY-friendly?
| Feature | DIY verdict |
|---|---|
| Straight flight, plain runner | Yes — a confident first project |
| Straight flight, patterned runner | Doable, allow extra material |
| One landing | Doable with care |
| Winders or pie steps | Hire a fitter |
| Curved or spiral flight | Hire a fitter |
| Premium wool runner | Consider hiring — material at risk exceeds labour saved |
A realistic budget
| Item | Cost for 13 steps |
|---|---|
| Flatweave synthetic runner, 6.5m | $170–$290 |
| Underlay | $45–$90 |
| Tackless strip and staples | $20–$40 |
| Stapler (buy or hire) | $30–$70 |
| Knife, chalk line, tucker | $25–$50 |
| Total | $290–$540 |
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Open the stair runner calculatorBuy vs hire the tools
A manual or electric staple gun is worth buying — you will use it again. A knee kicker is worth hiring for a day if you are fitting landing carpet too; for a runner alone, a bolster and a firm hand will do.
Order extra, not exact
The one place not to economise as a first-timer is the waste margin. Order 15% rather than 10%. The extra half-metre costs a fraction of the runner and covers the step you will inevitably cut wrong.
Do a dry run
Lay the runner loose down the flight before you fix anything. It exposes centring problems, pattern-direction mistakes and length shortfalls while they are still free to fix.
Split the job
A perfectly good compromise on an awkward staircase: fit the straight flight yourself and pay a fitter a half day to do the winders and the landing. You keep most of the saving and none of the risk.
Whatever you decide, get the numbers first: the stair runner calculator doubles as a stair runner length calculator, adding nosing wrap, landings, winders, pattern repeat and waste so you order the right length the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I save fitting a stair runner myself?
Typically $250–$500 on a straight 13-step flight, which is the entire labour line. The saving shrinks fast if you have to re-order material after a mis-cut.
How long does DIY stair runner installation take?
Allow a full day for a straight flight including preparation, and a weekend if you are also removing old carpet or repairing treads.
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Price a DIY runner