Hi,

We have carpet on curved stairs and we know there is no hardwood underneath (just plywood). We have at least 3 quotes on how much it'll cost to clad the stairs to solid oak. One was $500/step, the others were about $270-300/step. There are two sets of curved stairs (upstairs to main floor, mainfloor to basement), 13 steps each.

The $500/step quote calls for 2 weeks of labour, building the stairs on site. The treads are 1-1/16" solid oak. We'd be able to live at home until it's time to sand, stain and coat. The work will be done by a woodworking company that partners with a well-rated hardwood floor company (at least, rated amongst the top few in Toronto on homestars.com)

The $300/step quote calls for pre-building the stairs at the company's shop, where it will be sanded, stained and coated, and then installed on site over 3 days (so there would be no sanding, etc at our house). The treads are 3/4" solid oak. The work will be done by another well-rated hardwood floor company (at least, rated amongst the top few in Toronto on homestars.com)

I'm fairly sure we'd get a piece of art with the $500/step quote, but it's also costing almost 70% more than the other method.

I've seen pictures from both companies. Pictures from the pre-building method seems to feature only "boxy looking" nosing on each tread, flat-front and each almost 2 inches thick.

The on-site finish company has pictures showing those boxy-looking nosing on each tread, but also has pictures showing thinner ones that have a rounded nose.

I'd prefer a rounded nosing on each tread but i do'nt know how to justify paying 70% more for our stairs.

Does anyone have any experience with the pre-building method?

Any comments/suggestions much appreciated! Thanks in advance.