What to know about stair work
Refinish the stairs or replace the treads?
If your stairs are solid hardwood, refinishing is almost always the answer. Sanding takes off the worn finish and the scuffs, and the stairs come back looking new.
Carpeted stairs are a different story. Sometimes there are good hardwood treads under the carpet. Often the steps underneath were only ever meant to be covered, and new hardwood treads are the better route. We pull back a corner at the estimate and tell you which you have.
Matching stairs to your floors
The best time to do stairs is when the floors are refinished, so the same stain and finish go on both. If the floors are already done, we match the color as closely as the wood allows. A different species on the stairs can take stain differently, and we’ll show you what to expect.
Using the stairs during the job
You can’t walk on wet finish, so there will be stretches when the stairs are closed. We plan those with you ahead of time. If the stairs are the only way to the bedrooms, tell us at the estimate and we’ll work the schedule around it.
What affects the price
Stairs are priced by the step, not the square foot. Refinishing a step covers the tread and the riser. New hardwood treads are priced by the step too.
The number of steps is the main factor. Landings, open sides and skirt boards add work. We count everything at the free estimate.
