# Staircase Renovation Markham | Free In-Home Estimate

> Iron balusters, open-riser work and hardwood recapping for 2000s Markham homes in Unionville, Cornell and Cathedraltown. Free in-home estimate.

URL: https://staircaserenovationtoronto.ca/service-areas/markham/

![Two-person crew carrying new oak stair treads into a GTA home](/images/hero/two-person-crew-carrying-new-oak-stair-treads-into.webp)

Serving Markham and nearby

# Staircase Renovation Markham

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Markham's planned communities in Cornell and Cathedraltown are close in age, so carpet-to-hardwood recapping with an iron baluster swap is the most common job here. We also work on open-riser designs and older heritage homes in Unionville and Markham Village.

-   Same-day response Monday to Friday
-   Postal codes L3R, L6B, L6C, L3P
-   WSIB crew, $2M liability

Talk to a Staircase Specialist

[#quote-form →](#quote-form)

 

Call Our Estimator (437) 524-2998

[tel:+14375242998 →](tel:+14375242998)

Neighbourhoods: UnionvilleCornellCathedraltownMarkham Village

-   22 Years Staircase work across the GTA since 2004
-   WSIB Clearance Clearance letter available on request
-   $2M Liability General liability insurance, COI on request
-   Ontario Registered Ministry of Labour construction registration

Fixed two-person WSIB crew on every install.

Sound Familiar?

## Tired Carpeted Stairs in Your Markham Home?

Most calls start with one of these. Here's what each one usually means and the service that fixes it.

The Local Problem

### Late-1990s Cornell stairs due for their first refresh

What you notice: The carpeted stair in a Cornell home is matted and stained, and the painted spindles look dated next to new hardwood floors.

Why it happens here: Cornell started construction in 1997, so its first streets are now close to 30 years old. Homes of the same age and builder share the same carpet-over-builder-tread stairs, which wear out at the same time.

How we fix it: Stair recapping with an iron baluster swap in the same visit is the most common job here, and it saves labour compared with two bookings.

### Balusters wobble or spacing looks dated

Painted 1990s spindles loosen over time and often fail the 4-inch sphere rule. Iron balusters set in two-part epoxy fix both problems at once.

Iron balusters installation

[/iron-balusters/ →](/iron-balusters/)

### Treads creak or feel soft underfoot

Usually a loose tread or a stringer that has started to move. We check it at the free estimate and tell you if it is a repair or a sign the structure needs work.

Stair tread replacement

[/stair-tread-replacement/ →](/stair-tread-replacement/)

### Carpet is worn, stained or chipping at the nose

Common on 1980s to 2000s builder stairs. Recapping or vinyl capping covers it in days, not weeks, without touching the structure underneath.

Vinyl stair capping

[/vinyl-stair-capping/ →](/vinyl-stair-capping/)

Most Requested Here

## Recapping, Iron Balusters and Custom Design in Markham

The jobs we do most often in these neighbourhoods, with published price bands.

![Staircase Renovation Toronto red oak stair caps with white risers matched to the hardwood floor in a Toronto home](/images/misc/honey-red-oak-stair-caps-with-white-painted-risers.webp)

### Stair Recapping (Hardwood)

From $2,800

Hardwood stair recapping in Toronto and the GTA over your existing carpeted or painted stairs: 1/2 to 3/4-inch red oak, white oak or maple caps cut in our Etobicoke shop, stain-matched on site, $2,800 to $6,500 for 13 steps in 3 to 5 days.

See scope and pricing

[Stair Recapping (Hardwood) →](/stair-recapping/)

![Staircase Renovation Toronto matte black iron balusters under an oak handrail in an open foyer staircase](/images/misc/matte-black-iron-balusters-with-single-twist-and-b.webp)

### Iron Balusters Installation

From $1,500

Iron baluster swaps replacing 1990s wood spindles across Etobicoke, North York and Mississauga homes: wrought or powder-coated steel balusters set in two-part epoxy, 4-inch sphere OBC spacing, oak handrail retained where sound for homeowners and landlords.

See scope and pricing

[Iron Balusters Installation →](/iron-balusters/)

![Open-riser white oak staircase on a steel mono-stringer with a glass guard](/images/misc/open-riser-white-oak-staircase-on-a-steel-mono-str.webp)

### Custom Staircase Design

From $1,500

Custom staircase design service for Toronto architects, builders and homeowners in Yorkville, King West and Lawrence Park: SketchUp 3D renderings, species-grade material specs, shop drawings for P.Eng review, with the design fee credited against your final build.

See scope and pricing

[Custom Staircase Design →](/custom-staircase-design/)

![Staircase Renovation Toronto frameless glass stair railing beside white oak open-riser treads in a Yorkville condo loft](/images/misc/frameless-tempered-glass-stair-railing-in-a-base-s.webp)

### Glass Stair Railings

From $3,500

Frameless and semi-frameless 12 to 15mm tempered glass railing systems for Yorkville condos, King West loft stairs and Forest Hill homes: structural spigot or base-shoe mounts, COI documentation prepared for condo boards, laser-templated per staircase for homeowners.

See scope and pricing

[Glass Stair Railings →](/glass-stair-railings/)

![Staircase Renovation Toronto curved oak staircase with continuous handrail and iron balusters, Kingsway front hall](/images/misc/sweeping-curved-oak-staircase-with-radiused-treads.webp)

### Curved Staircase Renovation

From $18,000

Curved staircase restoration and full rebuilds for Rosedale, Forest Hill and Yorkville century homes: laminated stringer bending, OBC Section 3.4.6 compliance on radius winders, matched hardwood stain to original flooring for heritage homeowners, architects and designers.

See scope and pricing

[Curved Staircase Renovation →](/curved-staircase-renovation/)

### Other staircase services

-   #### Wood Stair Railings
    
    From $1,200
    
    Solid wood handrails, newel posts and wall-mount rails for Toronto homes: red oak, maple, poplar or walnut milled to profile, meeting OBC Section 3.4.6 for grip and 42-inch height, for Riverdale, Leslieville and Forest Hill homeowners restoring heritage staircases.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Wood Stair Railings →](/wood-stair-railings/)
    
-   #### Basement Staircase Renovation
    
    From $4,500
    
    Moisture-tolerant basement stair rebuilds for Etobicoke, East York and Scarborough bungalows: pressure-treated SPF stringers, 1-inch red oak treads, OBC 3.4.6 handrails, typically paired with basement finishing projects for homeowners and investor landlords.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Basement Staircase Renovation →](/basement-staircase-renovation/)
    
-   #### Straight Staircase Renovation
    
    From $6,500
    
    Turnkey straight-flight staircase renovation for Etobicoke, Scarborough and Mississauga bungalows and semis: stringer inspection, demo, red oak or engineered treads, OBC Section 3.4.6 handrail replacement in 2 to 3 weeks for homeowners and real estate investors prepping for sale.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Straight Staircase Renovation →](/straight-staircase-renovation/)
    
-   #### Cable Stair Railings
    
    From $2,800
    
    Stainless 316 marine-grade cable railing systems for modern Rosedale, Leslieville and Bloor West homes: 1/8-inch horizontal or vertical runs tensioned to 300 lbs, 3-inch post spacing, OBC 4-inch sphere compliance for homeowners and architects.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Cable Stair Railings →](/cable-stair-railings/)
    
-   #### Exterior Stair Rebuild
    
    From $2,500
    
    Pressure-treated exterior stair rebuilds for Etobicoke, Scarborough and Mississauga homes: backyard deck steps, front porch runs and side-entry stairs rebuilt on fresh concrete pads or helical piers, OBC 9.8 guard compliance for homeowners and property managers.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Exterior Stair Rebuild →](/exterior-stair-rebuild/)
    
-   #### Vinyl Stair Capping
    
    From $1,800
    
    Luxury vinyl plank stair capping over existing wood or carpeted stairs: 5 to 6mm LVP treads matched to your floor, metal-backed bullnose, moisture-resistant for Etobicoke basement reno turnovers, done in a single day for homeowners, landlords and rental property managers.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Vinyl Stair Capping →](/vinyl-stair-capping/)
    
-   #### Stair Tread Replacement
    
    From $180
    
    Individual stair tread replacement for squeaky, cracked or water-damaged steps in Toronto homes: in-situ demolition of one or two treads, matched-species oak or maple replacement, construction adhesive plus screw anchoring to kill the squeak for homeowners in Scarborough, East York and Mississauga.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Stair Tread Replacement →](/stair-tread-replacement/)
    
-   #### Newel Post Replacement
    
    From $450
    
    Individual newel post replacement for Toronto homes with loose or split posts: 3-inch lag bolts anchored into the floor joist below, oak, maple or poplar in-stock species, color-matched stain for homeowners doing partial railing updates in Scarborough, East York and Bloor West.
    
    See scope and pricing
    
    [Newel Post Replacement →](/newel-post-replacement/)
    

Local Housing Stock

## Markham Planned Communities and Heritage Homes

Cornell and Cathedraltown homes are close in age, so carpet-to-hardwood 

recapping

[/stair-recapping/ →](/stair-recapping/)

 with an 

iron baluster

[/iron-balusters/ →](/iron-balusters/)

 swap is the most common Markham job. Doing both together saves labour compared with two separate visits.

Some newer Markham homes have open-riser designs, where 

custom staircase design

[/custom-staircase-design/ →](/custom-staircase-design/)

 and glass or 

cable railings

[/cable-stair-railings/ →](/cable-stair-railings/)

 come in. Heritage homes in Unionville and Markham Village are older, with narrower stairs and original railings that we check carefully against code before recommending an overlay.

## The usual Markham combination

Recapping ($2,800 to $6,500) plus iron balusters ($1,500 to $3,800) in one visit is the most requested package. The oak handrail is usually kept and refinished to match the new caps.

Real Costs

## Typical costs

| Common job here | Published band |
| --- | --- |
| Hardwood recapping | $2,800 to $6,500 |
| Iron baluster swap | $1,500 to $3,800 |
| Custom staircase design | $1,500 to $4,000, credited |
| Glass or cable railing | From $2,800 per run |

All price bands

[/pricing/ →](/pricing/)

Scheduling

## Timing

Recapping and baluster work can be booked year-round. Open-riser and design projects need more lead time for drawings and, sometimes, engineering.

Response time: Same-day response Monday to Friday.

Clean Site Execution

## How a Recap and Baluster Job Runs

You deal with the person who measures and builds your staircase, from the first visit to the warranty.

1.  1
    
    ### Free In-Home Estimate
    
    On-site measurement, structural inspection and scope discussion. A senior crew lead attends every estimate. Written quote within 48 hours.
    
2.  2
    
    ### Design and Material Selection
    
    Wood species, stain samples against your floor, baluster and railing style. Full material list and shop drawings for approval before anything is ordered.
    
3.  3
    
    ### Fabrication and Prep
    
    Straight staircases are cut in our Etobicoke shop; curved work is fitted on site. Several Toronto contractors ship prefabricated stairs from out-of-province suppliers, which limits custom fit. We build to the exact measurements of your opening.
    
4.  4
    
    ### Installation by Our Supervised Crew
    
    Our two-person WSIB crew works behind dust barriers with floor protection throughout the home, from tread removal through final trim. Our actual founder of the company signs off on every estimate from our Etobicoke shop before it goes out. That's Andriy Kovalenko.
    
5.  5
    
    ### Final Walkthrough and Warranty
    
    We walk every tread, riser, baluster and handrail with you against the written scope, then issue your written workmanship warranty.
    

![Finished oak staircase with black iron balusters in a Toronto home](/images/misc/finished-oak-staircase-with-matte-black-iron-balus.webp)

Free, No-Obligation Estimate

## Price the Recap and Baluster Swap Together

our senior crew lead measures your stairs and checks the structure for free. Your written quote arrives within 48 hours, the price is fixed before work starts, and every job ends with a written workmanship warranty.

Talk to a Staircase Specialist

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Call Our Estimator (437) 524-2998

[tel:+14375242998 →](tel:+14375242998)

-   Written quote within 48 hours
-   Owner attends every estimate
-   Written workmanship warranty
-   No hourly billing, no hidden fees

Why Us

## Why Unionville and Cornell Owners Choose Us

-   Recapping and iron balusters in one visit to save labour.
    
-   Stain matched to your floor in your own light.
    
-   Heritage Unionville stairs checked against code before overlaying.
    
-   Design fee credited to the build for open-riser projects.
    
-   Same-day response Monday to Friday.
    

Homeowner Feedback

## What Homeowners Say

Feedback from homeowners across the GTA.

> "Our curved oak staircase on The Kingsway took six weeks, and the lead estimator told us that on day one. The iron balusters and the new handrail line up perfectly with the old curve."

Marta K.The Kingsway, Etobicoke

> "We wanted to keep the character of our Edwardian stairs. They refinished what could be saved, replaced the railing, and finished in three weeks as quoted."

David and Helen R.Rosedale, Toronto

> "The basement stairs were soft and the back steps had rotted at the bottom. One quote covered both and the price didn't move."

Priya S.Guildwood, Scarborough

Getting to You

## Getting to the 404 and Highway 7 area

We reach Markham via Highway 401 and Highway 404, then Highway 7 East, Woodbine Avenue or Bur Oak Avenue. Unionville near Main Street and Toogood Pond is closest; Cornell and Cathedraltown to the north-east near Rouge National Urban Park take a little longer. Estimates are usually booked within the week.

Main Street UnionvilleBur Oak AvenueWoodbine AvenueHighway 7 East

![Staircase renovation in progress in a lived-in GTA home](/images/features/half-finished-staircase-renovation-in-a-lived-in-g.webp)

Housing stock

2000s homes in planned communities and heritage homes in Unionville and Markham Village

Typical stairs

Open-riser designs and carpeted builder stairs with wood spindles

Local landmarks

Toogood Pond, Markville Mall, Cathedral of the Transfiguration, Rouge National Urban Park

Municipality

City of Markham (York Region)

Service Area Map

## Serving all of Markham

We cover Unionville, Cornell, Cathedraltown, Markham Village and the streets around them from our Etobicoke shop, with the same owner-supervised crew that handles our 

staircase renovation in Toronto

[/ →](/)

 work. Call 

(437) 524-2998

[tel:+14375242998 →](tel:+14375242998)

 or book a free in-home estimate below.

Postal codes we cover: L3R, L6B, L6C, L3P

Open in Google Maps

[https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.8561,-79.337 →](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.8561,-79.337)

Homeowner Questions

## Questions From Cornell and Unionville Homeowners

Can you do recapping and iron balusters in one visit?

Yes. Doing both together saves labour compared with two separate jobs.

Do you work in Cathedraltown and Markham Village too?

Yes. We cover Unionville, Cornell, Cathedraltown and Markham Village, from Main Street Unionville out to Bur Oak Avenue. Postal codes include L3P, L3R, L6B and L6C.

Can you match my new hardwood floor in Cornell?

Usually, yes. We test stain samples against your floor during the estimate and tell you upfront how close the match will be.

Do you work on heritage homes in Unionville?

Yes. We check older stairs for rise, run and railing height before recommending recapping or a rebuild.

Can you design an open-riser stair for my home?

Yes, through custom staircase design, with the design fee credited against the build.

Do Unionville heritage rules affect stair work?

Interior stairs are not covered. Unionville has been a heritage conservation district since 1997, and exterior alterations there, such as front steps and porch railings, need a Minor or Major Heritage Permit from the city first.

Nearby Service Areas

## Also Serving Areas Near Markham

Staircase Renovation Richmond Hill 1990s to 2000s formal foyers with curved or flared stairs. View area

[/service-areas/richmond-hill/ →](/service-areas/richmond-hill/)

 

Staircase Renovation Scarborough East-end bungalows with straight flights, basement stairs and side-door steps. View area

[/service-areas/scarborough/ →](/service-areas/scarborough/)

 

Staircase Renovation North York 1960s to 70s split-levels and centre-hall homes with half flights and L-shaped stairs. View area

[/service-areas/north-york/ →](/service-areas/north-york/)

See every city and district we cover on the 

service areas page

[/service-areas/ →](/service-areas/)

.

Free In-Home Estimate

## Book a Markham Stair Estimate

Book a free in-home estimate. Same-day response Monday to Friday, and a written quote within 48 hours of the visit.

-   Written quote within 48 hours
-   Owner attends every estimate
-   Written workmanship warranty
-   No hourly billing, no hidden fees

![Two-person crew fitting a new oak tread behind a dust barrier](/images/misc/two-person-crew-fitting-a-new-oak-tread-on-a-toron.webp)

Prefer to talk it through? Call 

(437) 524-2998

[tel:+14375242998 →](tel:+14375242998)

. Mon to Fri 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Sunday.

Free Written Quote

## Request Your In-Home Estimate

our senior crew lead reviews every request himself and we reply the same day, Monday to Friday.

### Thanks, we got your details.

our senior crew lead will be in touch the same day, Monday to Friday.