There are a few excellent staircase installation guides out there for the do-it-yourselfer as well as the professional stair installer. They are great for the do it yourselfer for obvious reasons but are fine as well for the professionals because there is always a better more efficient way that many installers have not considered. You can download a free version from:
As a trim carpenter and a remodeling contractor I was called upon to install a number of stairways. In one home I worked on there were, in fact, two staircases. I contracted for one and another guy contracted for the other. The other installer introduced me to LJ Smith's guide and I have been recommending it ever since. I learned a faster more efficient way of installing and you may likewise profit from it as well.