Advice on built-in Understairs storage

[LoopingTwice]

We are looking to install understairs storage, for shoes only, nothing fancy, in a standard new build. I have looked at specialist nationwide companies, local carpenters’ pages, and Hammonds. Prices vary drastically, as do service levels even at the enquiry stage. I now have paralysis by analysis, which route is best to pursue.

Please can you share any tips on who did yours, what to ask, what to be mindful off. The location is between Stafford and Telford if anyone has specific recommendations.

No advice on under stairs storage (that space is a toilet in our house), but when we looked into built in bedrooms, the big, national chains were about twice the cost of using a local joiner. This was about 10 years ago in West Yorkshire.

We used a national one, it cost about £1000 5 years ago. I know our local carpenter charges about £2000 currently.

We used Clever Closet after looking at Hammonds. Very pleased with it.

Sorry no tips. It was very simple, if it’s shoe
storage you want they’ll have inserts to add.

Ensure they are all on drawers and there is a light inside, so its easy to pull out to see what you've got. Nothing worse than trying to scramble in a dark, cupboard.

I had a fitted wardrobe by a local company. It was half the cost of the big ones.

What does the area under the stairs currently look like? If its open maybe just get a shoe bench. If it's already a cupboard then look at pull out racks.

We used a local property management company aimed at doing jobs for landlords in their rental properties (they don't actually care if it is your house rather than one you rent out if you are happy to pay them for their work) - they are a brilliant find as they have all the different trades in the same company so you can just say what jobs you have on whichever occasion and they can provide a plumber/electrician/carpenter/gas fitter/general handyman etc as required. They are now our go-to for any DIY, maintenance or repair because of this.