Hi,
I'm new to the forum here and like to ask for advice on a hardwood project I like to tackle.

I have done a handful of laminate flooring projects including strait/45 degree staircases but now I'm on to my first hardwood/round staircase project.

We just bought a house that we really like but of-course it comes with carpet for just about the whole house. The entrance and family room already have hardware flooring which I plan on replacing too. Coming from a hardwood apartment...you guess it...both my wife and I are dealing with crazy allergies since the last 2 week me moved in.

What is new on this project is that I will do hardwood flooring and a round staircase (see pictures below). I think I got everything covered (nailer, watched a number of how to youtube videos..etc...). I'm very handy and hands on with projects around the house.

Here are the pictures of the stair case and l like feedback as to how to best approach the edges and the stairs themselves.

Have you looked to see whats under the carpet on those stairs yet?

No I have not looked under the carpet. It is still the original carpet from when the house was build as far as I know.

Would it not just be the bear wood on the stairs?

I will be honest with you, if your on here looking for advice that staircase is probably over your head. If it were a boxed in set of straight treads Id say go for it, but this one is going to be tough as they come. every one of those treads will have to have a precise template made and then have the treads made custom. all the handrail and balusters will need to come out and have to be replaced. Id have a stair guy come out and take a look at it. I would guess thats a 3-4k staircase job. Its a pretty nice staircase to be covered with cheap carpet, someone could have put oak treads in and had them covered after the fact, id cross my fingers.

Thank you Kevin! So it looks like the staircase may not be a job I will tackle myself.

Now that you got me going I will take a peak to see what is under the carpet. I have my fingers crossed!

no luck...no oak treads under the carpet...rough wood finish only

I will find a local stair guy to get an estimate for having the stair done.

Oh to bad, I was figuring if someone put that much money into a nice staircase it might have hardwood under the carpet. Happens allot, some people just like soft carpet on stairs and cover them up. Are you sure it's not just unfinished oak under there? Pull one out all the way and check.

Well I was a bit unsure because I only pulled out about 6" of carpet in one place and I can tell it is rough wood.

How do I know if it is oak verses soft construction lumber?

Oh, thats easy. Just read this. http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p2606.pdf

ok Steve..

thats not gonna work..if you wanna know if its pine..

if you can scratch it with your fingernail easily..its pine ..and i mean dig in

Ok, then just send us a picture. Theres other ways to ID pine, just google wood ID.

Pull back a corner and sand or scrape a spot, it will be obvious.

I'm not an expert on wood by any means but if I understand it correctly pine wood is soft construction lumber...right?

The truth is out. I don't even need to post pictures. It is plywood underneath the carpet with a rough finish. Oh well...

I already talked to a local hardwood company and was told that is would cost about $200 - $250 per step. Is that about right?

sounds good to me.....

but you should take a few opinions and quotes on the job and go with who has the right experience,
you feel you trust and work with well..