I finished the living/dining room area. I've undercut the stair newel with a jamb saw. Slid under a piece of wood, only to find that there's a gap between that piece and where the stairs meet the floor.

Before I move ahead, I just want to verify my thinking... rip a piece of wood to fit into the gap and continue ahead?

I'd like to know now if I'm heading for trouble - before I nail in 20 or 30 more boards.

Thank you!

Reenie

3/8" solid Eucalyptus
Nail down install

if I understand your question, and I think I do... you can either do that or "fir" or "shim" the carpet coming down the last riser. The size of the gap between your last board and the stairs will determine which method you use.

you can rip a board and get it close. you could double up the tack strip on the front of the step which should cover if needed or the dreaded ,but ever useful quarter round(although it looks a little amateur, it can hide a 3/4 inch gap vertically on the step face or horizontal on the floor .)

All good suggestions. Never thought about shimming the carpet - will look into that.

One concern I do have is that gap isn't even. It starts at about 1/2 wide then widens to 3/4 further down. Should I be worried? Or just assume that the stair riser isn't even (which wouldn't surprise me)?

I can almost guarantee that the stair riser isn't even and no one except you will even notice. It is much better to be square everywhere else.