I am installing 3/4" oak flooring and I am coming to the existing newel at the top of the stair case. The newel has a metal plate that is screwed to the sub floor and I am assuming it is screwed to the bottom of the newel. Do I need to remove the Newel and place the flooring underneath it or do I route out the depth of the steel plate and go around it.

Thank you for your advice.

Ray deLong

Go around the newel post. You may be able to undercut the wood post so you don't need to scribe fit. It is always easier to work away from this type of obstruction if you can start here.

did you do what sir Pete A. suggestion sir? hope to see it done