A TIP FROM CHARLENE
MY COUSIN'S APP
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My clever cousin has designed an app that works on an iPhone and iPad and handles all the calculations and complexity of building stairs. It has a graphical interface so that when you make an adjustment to the staircase, you see it change in the diagram. When you get the staircase just right you can email yourself a PDF of the plans for printing.
If your guy is a DIY type, you should buy or recommend this app. It's a great guy gift.
Check it out: http://stairs.delux.com/ or download the app in iTunes