Runner cost per linear metre
| Tier | Typical £ per linear metre (bound) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £15–£30 | Polypropylene, narrow widths, off-the-shelf |
| Mid | £30–£60 | Wool blends, popular stripes, 66–70cm widths |
| Premium | £60–£110 | 100% wool, herringbone, wide widths, better binding |
| Designer / bespoke | £110–£250+ | Mill goods, bespoke borders, leather trim |
Prices move with more than fibre
Width, pattern complexity, binding type, batch size and even colour depth all shift the per-metre price. Two wool runners at the same weight can differ by 60% purely on design and finishing.
Fitting costs
- Straight flight, 12–14 steps: £150–£350 typical, more in London and the South East.
- Per-step pricing where used: £12–£30 per step.
- Winder steps: £15–£40 each on top, because every one is cut individually.
- Landings: £30–£90 each.
- Removal and disposal of old carpet: £40–£120 per flight.
- Rod fitting: £5–£15 per rod on top of the rod cost.
Underlay, rods and extras
| Item | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Stair underlay / pads | £4–£12 per step |
| Gripper and fixings | £15–£40 per flight |
| Stair rods, basic | £8–£20 each |
| Stair rods, solid brass | £25–£70 each |
| Bespoke binding upgrade | £4–£15 per metre |
| Delivery of cut runner | £0–£40 |
Realistic totals for a 13-step flight
| Specification | Runner | Underlay | Fitting | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget polypropylene | £120 | £60 | £180 | ≈£360 |
| Mid wool blend stripe | £320 | £90 | £240 | ≈£650 |
| Premium 100% wool herringbone | £600 | £110 | £300 | ≈£1,010 |
| Designer wool with brass rods | £1,200 | £130 | £380 + £250 rods | ≈£1,960 |
Add roughly £150–£400 for a half landing, and £15–£40 per winder step. VAT treatment varies by trader, so confirm whether quotes are inclusive.
Where you can genuinely save
- Buy the runner online and pay a fitter for labour only — often 20–30% cheaper than a single supply-and-fit quote.
- Choose a narrower width; going from 76cm to 66cm cuts material cost meaningfully with no loss of function.
- Skip rods, or fit them only on the visible lower flight.
- Choose a plain or small-pattern runner to avoid paying for pattern-matching waste.
- Do the removal and prep yourself; it is unskilled work that fitters charge for.
What is not worth saving on: underlay, fixings and fitting quality. Those three decide whether the runner still looks good in five years.
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 calculatorWhatever 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 does a stair runner cost in the UK?
For a typical 13-step flight, roughly £360 for a budget polypropylene installation, £650 for a mid-range wool blend, and £1,000–£2,000 for premium or designer wool with rods. Prices vary widely by region, fibre and design.
How much does it cost to fit a stair runner in the UK?
£150–£350 for a straight flight of 12–14 steps, or £12–£30 per step. Winders add £15–£40 each and landings £30–£90 each.
How much is a stair runner per metre in the UK?
Around £15–£30 per linear metre for polypropylene, £30–£60 for wool blends, £60–£110 for 100% wool, and £110+ for designer or bespoke runners, usually including binding.
Is a stair runner cheaper than carpeting the stairs in the UK?
On materials, yes — typically 40–50% less carpet. Fitting is broadly similar, so overall a runner usually comes out cheaper unless you choose a premium designer product.
Do I pay VAT on a stair runner?
VAT applies at the standard rate for most domestic supply-and-fit work from VAT-registered traders. Always check whether a quote is inclusive before comparing.
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.
Estimate your total cost