Step 1 · Step 1: First Count, Then Gather Your Tools

Every great project starts with good preparation. First, count the total number of individual steps you'll be covering. For this staircase, that's 3 treads before the landing and 7 after, for a total of 10. Next, gather your tools. Using the right equipment is key to a professional-looking result. You'll need a rigid tape measure for accuracy, a carpenter's square for true right angles, a level, some masking tape for labeling, and a pencil.