How Much Does a Staircase Renovation Cost in 2026?
Your staircase sits at the center of your home. It's one of the first things guests see, it anchors the sightlines between floors, and in open-concept layouts it functions as a piece of architecture as much as a functional element. When it's tired, the whole home feels it. When it's been done well, it elevates everything around it.
We build custom staircases in Greater Montreal every week — from straightforward classic-wood replacements in Westmount bungalows to fabricated steel central stringer staircases in South Shore open-concept homes. The question we hear most often before a project begins is simply: what is this going to cost me?
Here's an honest, detailed answer.
Staircase renovation costs by type
The most important variable is the type of renovation. Below are realistic ranges based on our Montreal projects — these are total project costs (materials + fabrication + installation + finishing), not per-step estimates.
| Project type | Starting price (CAD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Custom railing replacement (steel, glass, hybrid) | From $3,000 | Modernizing existing stairs with new railings |
| Tread + railing replacement (classic staircase) | From $3,500 | Updating the look without changing the structure |
| Full classic staircase replacement (wood, closed risers) | From $6,000 | Heritage homes, transitional interiors, full rebuilds |
| Steel lateral stringer with wood treads | From $9,000 | Contemporary homes wanting strong visual presence |
| Steel central stringer with wood treads | From $11,000 | Open-concept layouts, architectural focal point |
| Full custom floating staircase with glass railings | From $16,000 | High-end renovations where the staircase is the feature |
What drives the cost up (or down)
1. Materials — wood species and metal finish
Wood species is one of the most visible cost levers on classic and steel stringer staircases. Red oak is the most common and most affordable option. White oak — currently the most requested species for modern and transitional projects — runs slightly more due to availability and grain consistency requirements. Walnut is the premium option with the richest tone, and it commands a corresponding premium. All three perform well in Montreal's climate when properly finished.
For steel components, powder coat finish color and profile complexity affect fabrication cost. A standard black powder coat is the default. Custom colors, brushed finishes, or complex profile cuts add to the steel fabrication price.
2. Railing system
Railings are often where costs shift the most between quotes. A simple wood handrail on existing balusters is the most affordable. A fully custom steel railing with welded horizontal bars or vertical pickets adds $3,000–$5,000. Glass panels on spigots or frameless glass systems are the most expensive railing option, but also the most visually open — they suit spaces where you want maximum light transmission between floors.
3. Structural complexity
Straight-run staircases are the most straightforward to fabricate and install. L-shaped stairs with a landing, U-shaped designs, or stairs that wrap around a corner require additional engineering, custom-length stringers, and more on-site fit-up time. If your existing staircase has any structural issues — damaged joists, out-of-level floors, header modifications — those need to be addressed before the new staircase goes in, which adds cost.
4. Color matching to existing flooring
One detail that significantly affects how a finished staircase reads is whether the treads are matched to your existing flooring. A staircase that transitions into a different stain tone draws the eye to the change; one that flows seamlessly into the surrounding hardwood reads as deliberate and high-end. Precise color matching requires sample passes, adjustment rounds, and in some cases custom stain mixing. It's worth doing, and it's worth budgeting for — typically $500–$1,200 additional depending on the complexity of the match.
5. Removal and disposal
Removing the existing staircase before installing the new one is a line item that surprises some homeowners. Depending on how the original staircase was built — glued, screwed, nailed into drywall and subfloor — demo can be a half-day job or a two-day one. Budget $500–$1,500 for removal and disposal depending on size and construction method.
Do you need a permit in Montreal?
Confirm with your borough before starting any structural work. A licensed RBQ contractor will know the requirements for your area and can flag what approvals are needed before the project scope is finalized.
What wood species should you choose?
This comes down to the existing materials in your home and the look you're going for:
Red oak — warm grain, pronounced figure, very common in Montreal homes built before 2010. If your floors are red oak, matching is straightforward. Most affordable.
White oak — cleaner, more neutral grain, currently the most requested for modern and transitional renovations. Works well with light, greige, and warm white interiors.
Maple — the crispest, lightest of the three. Best suited to very minimal, contemporary spaces. Shows wear in high-traffic areas more than oak.
Walnut — rich chocolate tone, pronounced grain movement. Premium pricing, strong visual impact. Best when the staircase is genuinely meant to be the feature.
Get a quote from HOMEES
We design and build custom staircases across Greater Montreal — central stringer, lateral stringer, classic wood, custom railings, and color-matched treads. Every project starts with a conversation about what you're trying to achieve and a realistic budget discussion before any commitment.
Request a free quote → or call us at 514-862-7786
