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BBS Flooring — Stair Renovation Guide 2026
Treads from $125/step · New hardwood from $185/step · Banister & railing from $25/lf. Use our free stair cost calculator for an instant estimate.
Staircase renovation at BBS Flooring: refinishing from $125/step, new hardwood treads from $185/step (straight) or $225/step (pie/bullnose), new posts $150 each, iron or wood pickets $25/piece, railing refinish $25/lf, new railing $50/lf, stringers from $350/side. A typical 13-step staircase runs $1,625 (refinishing) to $5,500+ (full renovation with new treads, pickets, posts & railing). WSIB-insured, serving the entire GTA. Free estimate: (647) 428-1111.
Adjust below — your estimate updates live. No account needed.
What are we doing to the treads?
Posts & Pickets
💡 Typical: 2 pickets/step. 13 steps = ~26 pickets
Stringers (side boards)
The angled boards running the length of the staircase that support the treads
Wood Species
All calculator prices are for red oak (standard). Other species available — we'll confirm pricing on your call.
Stair Nosing
Handrail
Stair Landing?
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Most GTA homeowners choose one of four approaches, depending on the condition of their existing stairs, their budget, and their aesthetic goals.
Sand down your existing hardwood treads and apply new stain and finish. The most cost-effective way to transform your staircase.
$125/step
Requires structurally sound hardwood treads
Remove old treads (carpet, damaged wood, or MDF) and install new solid hardwood stair treads. Best results, longest lifespan.
$185/step (straight) · $225/step (pie/bullnose)
Works on any existing staircase structure
Waterproof vinyl overlays that fit directly over your existing treads. No demolition needed — fast, budget-friendly, matches your LVP flooring.
Most budget-friendly option
Contact us for vinyl cap pricing
New treads + new railings + new balusters/pickets + posts. Complete transformation from dated colonial to modern open-riser or traditional custom design.
$4,500–$7,000+ for a full 13-step renovation
Includes treads, pickets, posts, railing, nosing & stringers
All BBS Flooring stair pricing is per-item with no hidden fees. Labour and standard materials included unless noted.
| Service | Unit | BBS Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stair Tread Refinishing (Sand & Restain) | per step | $125 |
| New Straight Stair Treads (Installed) | per step | $185 |
| New Pie / Triangle / Bullnose Steps | per step | $225 |
| New Post (3¼") | per post | $150 |
| New Iron or Wood Pickets (Installed with Material) | per piece | $25 |
| Stringer — White (painted) | per side | $350 |
| Stringer — Stained (requires new treads) | per side | $900 |
| Nosing Refinish (Sand & Restain) | per linear foot | $20 |
| New Nosing (Installed) | per linear foot | $25 |
| Handrail Refinish (Sand & Restain) | per linear foot | $25 |
| New Handrail (Installed) | per linear foot | $50 |
| Stair Landing — Small (3×3 ft) | per landing | $300 |
| Stair Landing — Large (6×3 ft) | per landing | $600 |
Refinish 13-step staircase
13 treads × $125 + 10 lf nosing refinish × $20 + 10 lf railing refinish × $25
New treads — carpet-to-hardwood conversion
13 straight treads × $185 (carpet removal included) + 10 lf new nosing × $25 + 1 stringer (white) × $350
Full renovation — new treads + iron pickets + posts + railing
13 treads × $185 + 26 pickets × $25 + 2 posts × $150 + 10 lf new rail × $50 + 1 stringer (white) × $350
Note: All prices include labour and standard materials. Carpet removal is included when installing new treads. Species upgrades (white oak, maple) available — contact us for pricing. Final price confirmed at free in-home measurement.
The railing system — posts, handrail, pickets, and stringers — often makes as much visual impact as the treads themselves. Here's everything you need to know about banister renovation costs in Toronto and the GTA.
| Component | Unit | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Post (3¼") | per post | $150 | Newel/anchor posts at top & bottom of run |
| Iron Pickets (installed) | per piece | $25 | Matte black, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze |
| Wood Pickets (installed) | per piece | $25 | Square, turned (colonial), craftsman styles |
| Handrail Refinish | per lf | $25 | Sand, stain, new poly coat |
| New Handrail | per lf | $50 | Solid wood, custom stained to match treads |
| Stringer — White Painted | per side | $350 | Available with new treads OR refinish |
| Stringer — Stained | per side | $900 | Only available when installing new treads |
⭐ Most Popular Combo (2026)
Iron pickets + stained railing + new posts
The open, modern look that dominates Toronto renovations. Iron pickets feel lighter than wood, require zero maintenance, and the matte black finish pairs with every stain colour.
Why Iron Pickets Win in 2026
💡 How much to replace a banister in Toronto?
A typical banister upgrade (2 new posts + 26 iron pickets + 10 lf new railing) runs $1,450–$1,700 installed. Just refinishing an existing wood railing costs $25/lf — a 10 lf railing is $250. Mix & match using the calculator above for your exact configuration.
💡 The Carpet Mystery
If your stairs are carpeted, you won't know what's underneath until the carpet comes off. Older GTA homes often have solid hardwood treads under the carpet — refinishable at $125/step. Most newer builds have plywood treads, which cannot be refinished and need new hardwood recapping at $185/step (carpet removal included). Our free in-home estimate includes peeling back a corner of carpet to check before you commit to anything.
Stairs take more concentrated traffic and impact than any floor in the house. Species choice matters more here than anywhere else.
| Species | Janka Hardness | Stain Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak ⭐ | 1,360 lbf | All stains, esp. grey/brown tones | Modern homes, open-riser designs, matching current floors |
| Hickory | 1,820 lbf | Natural/light stains (strong grain) | Maximum durability, rustic/organic aesthetics |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 lbf | Light/blonde, contemporary stains | Scandinavian/modern interiors, light colour palettes |
| Red Oak ✦ Standard | 1,290 lbf | Traditional warm tones, most stains | Budget-conscious, traditional interiors, classic look |
| Walnut | 1,010 lbf | Natural walnut (rarely stained) | Luxury aesthetics — best in lower-traffic areas |
Our Recommendation
White oak dominates 2026 GTA renovation projects — hard enough for stair traffic, takes the full range of modern stains, and matches the majority of current hardwood floor species. Red oak is the calculator standard (default price). White oak and maple are available — contact us for pricing. If you have large dogs or extremely heavy traffic, Hickory is the call.
🎯 Match Your Stairs to Your Floors
Doing stairs and flooring together? Choose stair treads in the same species as your new floors for a seamless transition. Browse our engineered hardwood collection or solid hardwood options to find your match.
The dominant choice in 2026. Thinner profile opens up the staircase visually, zero maintenance, available in matte black, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze. Straight, twisted, or basket designs.
$25/piece installed (includes material)
Classic and traditional. Available in square, turned (colonial), and craftsman styles. Painted white is most common. Match or contrast with your tread species. Require refinishing every 10–15 years.
$25/piece installed (includes material)
Frameless or framed tempered glass panels — sleek, ultra-modern, maximum light flow. Popular in contemporary and luxury renovations. Custom fabrication — lead time applies.
Custom quote required
If your existing handrail is solid wood in good condition, refinishing (sand, stain, new finish coat) is often the best bang-for-buck upgrade. Takes 1 day, dramatically refreshes the look.
$25/linear foot
Vinyl stair caps (also called stair covers or overlays) fit directly over your existing treads without any demolition. They're the fastest and most affordable way to upgrade carpeted or worn stairs — especially when you're doing a full vinyl plank installation throughout the home.
100% Waterproof
Same waterproof performance as your LVP floors — ideal for pet households
Colour-Matched
Available in coordinating colours that match your vinyl plank flooring for a seamless look
Fast Installation
No demolition, no subfloor prep — most staircases done in a single day
When Vinyl Caps Make Sense
Carpet-to-hardwood stair conversion is one of our most popular projects. The transformation is dramatic, and the result lasts decades instead of years.
Free In-Home Assessment
We peel back a corner of carpet to check what's underneath before you commit. Solid hardwood treads can be refinished at $125/step. Plywood or MDF treads need new hardwood at $185/step (carpet removal included). We'll tell you upfront — no guessing.
Carpet & Tack Strip Removal
We remove all carpet, padding, tack strips, and staples from every step. This is included in the new tread price — no separate carpet removal charge.
Subfloor Assessment
If existing treads are usable → refinish (sand, stain, finish). If treads are MDF or damaged → install new solid hardwood treads at $185/step.
Tread Work (Refinish or Install)
Refinishing: 2–3 sand passes, custom stain, 2–3 finish coats. New treads: cut to width, fasten securely, fill nail holes, finish with matching stain and sealer.
Risers, Nosings & Stringers
New risers (painted white is standard), nosing installation or refinishing ($20–$25/lf), and stringer work if included in scope.
Optional: Railing Upgrade
While the staircase is open, many clients add new iron pickets, posts, or handrail refinishing. Cost-effective to combine — one visit, one disruption.
| Project Type | Duration | Walkable After |
|---|---|---|
| Refinish only (sand + stain + finish) | 2–3 days | Socks OK after 24 hrs; shoes after 48–72 hrs |
| New treads (straight staircase) | 1–2 days | Following day with care |
| Vinyl stair caps | 1 day | Same day |
| Full renovation (treads + rails + pickets + posts) | 3–5 days | 2–3 days for tread portions |
| Carpet removal + new treads + railing upgrade | 4–6 days | Day 2–3 for treads; full use day 4–5 |
📅 Booking & Lead Time
From initial contact to project start is typically 7–14 days depending on season. Spring (April–June) is our busiest period — book early for summer timelines. Free in-home estimates available within 2–3 business days of your call.
💰 Save by Combining Projects
Most GTA homeowners who do stairs also do at least one room of flooring. Combining stair renovation with a flooring installation project saves you a second mobilization fee and often gets you into a faster timeline. Use our quote calculator to estimate your combined project cost, or book a free measurement for an exact quote covering everything.
How much does a staircase renovation cost in Toronto?
Refinishing runs $125/step; new straight treads $185/step; pie/bullnose steps $225/step; iron or wood pickets $25/piece; new posts $150 each; railing refinish $25/lf; new railing $50/lf; stringers from $350/side. A full 13-step carpet-to-hardwood conversion with new treads (carpet removal included) runs $2,600–$3,000. A complete renovation with new rails, pickets, and posts runs $4,500–$6,000+. Use the calculator above or call for a free in-home estimate.
How much does it cost to replace a banister in Toronto?
Banister replacement at BBS Flooring: new posts $150 each, new railing $50/lf, new iron or wood pickets $25/piece. A typical banister upgrade on a 13-step staircase (2 posts + 26 pickets + 10 lf new rail) runs approximately $1,450–$1,700 installed. Refinishing an existing wood railing is $25/lf — a 10 lf railing is $250.
What is a stringer on stairs and how much does it cost?
The stringer is the angled side board that runs along the length of the staircase and supports the treads. BBS Flooring installs new stringers at $350/side (white painted) or $900/side (stained to match treads). Stained stringers are only available when installing new treads — refinishing mode locks stringers to white.
How much does a stair landing cost to install?
Stair landing installation at BBS Flooring: small landing (3×3 ft) is $300, large landing (6×3 ft) is $600. We use hardwood stained on-site to match your treads.
How many pickets do I need for my staircase?
Most residential staircases use 2–3 pickets per step, depending on tread width and Ontario Building Code requirements. A standard 13-step staircase typically needs 26–39 pickets. At $25/piece installed, that's $650–$975 for pickets alone. Iron and wood pickets are the same price at BBS Flooring. Use the calculator above for an exact count.
Should I refinish or replace my stair treads?
Refinish if: your existing treads are solid hardwood in good structural condition. Replace if: treads are damaged, too thin to sand again, MDF/composite, or you want a different species. Refinishing costs $125/step vs $185/step for new treads — that's 32% less. If stairs are carpeted, we check what's underneath during the free in-home assessment before you commit.
Can you match new stair treads to my existing hardwood floors?
Yes. We carry white oak, red oak, maple, and hickory treads and can stain-match to your existing floors. For perfect matches, we recommend doing stairs and adjacent flooring in the same project, using the same stain batch.
Are iron balusters better than wood?
For most 2026 GTA renovations, yes. Iron pickets are thinner (more open visual feel), zero maintenance, structurally stronger, and at BBS they're the same price as wood ($25/piece). Wood suits traditional or farmhouse styles and pairs well with painted white railings.
What areas do you serve for staircase renovation?
BBS Flooring provides staircase renovation across Markham, Toronto, Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Stouffville, and the full GTA. Our showroom is at 6061 Highway 7, Unit B, Markham.
Get a free, no-obligation in-home estimate. We'll assess your stairs, check what's under the carpet, and give you a line-item quote on the spot.
BBS Flooring · 6061 Highway 7, Unit B, Markham · (647) 428-1111