# Stair & Railing Replacement Toronto | Staircase Railings Toronto URL: https://staircaserailingstoronto.ca/staircase-stair-railings-toronto/ One Shop, One Drawing Set, One Install # Staircase Railings Toronto: Full Staircase and Railing Replacement in Toronto, One Shop, One Drawing Set, One Install By The Staircase Railings Toronto Crew [/about/#staircase-railings-toronto-crew →](/about/#staircase-railings-toronto-crew) | Last updated: September 26, 2026 Full staircase and railing replacement means tearing out a failing or dated stair and installing a new staircase and balustrade designed together as one system. Staircase Railings Toronto builds the stringers, treads and the glass, iron or wood railing in our 6,000 sq ft Etobicoke facility, so you get one CAD drawing set, one permit package and one crew on site. Budgets combine a staircase band ($8,500-$45,000 CAD) with the railing per linear foot ($75-$350), itemised separately in writing. $8,500-$45,000 CAD + railing staircase band + railing per lin ft - ✓OBC Section 9.8 / 3.4 Drawings - ✓In-Shop TIG and MIG Welding - ✓Published CAD Pricing - ✓Written Workmanship Warranty ![New oak staircase with a matching black iron railing that replaced a 1960s stair](/images/misc/new-oak-staircase-with-matching-black-iron-baluste.webp) New Stringers, Treads and Railing as One SystemOBC 9.8 Upgrade Thanks, we got your request. A lead technician will call you back within one business day to book your in-home consultation. - 22 Years of Custom Stair and Railing Fabrication - 5,000+ GTA Installs - 5-Star Customer Satisfaction - Top-Rated Toronto Custom Stair and Railing Contractor - 99% First-Visit Inspection Pass Rate - WSIB Registered, $2M Liability ## What a Full Stair and Railing Replacement Includes A full replacement treats the stair and railing as one system, designed on one drawing set and built in one shop, the Etobicoke shop behind all our staircase railings in Toronto [/ →](/) . That’s the difference between a stair that looks planned and one that looks patched. ### Stringer and Tread Replacement The old stair comes out and new stringers and treads go in, cut and pre-assembled in our Etobicoke shop. Layout is re-checked for rise, run and headroom, and the new stair follows current OBC 9.8. ### Railing System Matched to Stair Glass, wrought iron, aluminum or wood, drawn with the stair so posts land on solid structure and the handrail flows from bottom newel to top landing. ### Single CAD Drawing Set One set of CAD drawings shows the stair and railing together. No second contractor redrawing the guard after the stair is in. ### Single Permit Package One permit package covering stair and railing, prepared for the owner or GC to submit. We never promise approval, but a single, clear package keeps examiner questions down. ### Occupied-Home Scheduling Temporary access stairs, dust control and short site days so families can stay home during the work. ![Temporary access stair during a stair replacement](/images/content/two-crew-members-in-safety-glasses-setting-up-a-te.webp) ## A Recent Job: Keeping a Don Mills Family Home Greg’s family had a 1962 stair with loose stringers and an open guard their toddler kept climbing. They didn’t want to move out. We measured, specd a new straight run with frameless glass, and built the stringers and treads in the shop while the family carried on. On day one the old stair came out and a temporary access stair went in. By day five the new stair and glass were in and the temporary stair was gone. Nine times out of ten, this is where the previous contractor cut a corner: they’d have built the stair first and figured out the railing later. ## When Is Railing-Only Enough? A full replacement isn’t always the answer. We’ll recommend a railing-only job, or refinishing, when: - **The stringers are solid** and don’t move or crack. - **Risers are even** and the stair meets rise and run. - **Treads can be refinished or recapped**, see staircase refinishing [/staircase-refinishing-toronto/ →](/staircase-refinishing-toronto/) . - **The problem is the guard**, like wide baluster gaps or a wobbly handrail. See metal and iron railings [/metal-iron-railings-toronto/ →](/metal-iron-railings-toronto/) or glass railings [/glass-railings-toronto/ →](/glass-railings-toronto/) . ## Full Replacement vs Separate Trades | What you compare | Carpenter plus railing company | One shop, full replacement | | --- | --- | --- | | Drawings | Two sets, often mismatched | One CAD set for stair and railing | | Permit | Can need two submissions | One permit package | | Post locations | Guessed after the stair is in | Planned into the stringer | | Schedule | Two trades to coordinate | One crew, 3-5 site days | | Warranty | Two warranties, finger-pointing | One written workmanship warranty | ![New U-shape maple staircase with matching handrail and iron pickets](/images/content/new-u-shape-maple-staircase-with-matching-maple-ha.webp) ## How Stair and Railing Costs Add Up | Example | Staircase band | Railing | Rough combined budget | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Straight oak + 20 ft interior iron | $8,500-$14,500 | $1,900-$3,700 | $10,400-$18,200 | | L-shape + 24 ft framed glass | $12,000-$18,500 | $3,600-$5,400 | $15,600-$23,900 | | U-shape + 30 ft frameless glass | $15,000-$24,000 | $6,750-$10,500 | $21,750-$34,500 | Demolition, temporary access, design fee and CAD drawings are added as separate lines on your written quote. ## Code and Detail Notes Replacement stairs are built to current OBC 9.8, which usually means a **code upgrade on replacement**: uniform risers, correct **headroom clearance**, handrails at 900-965mm and a guard with 100mm spacing. We explain the difference between a **guard vs handrail**, plan the **newel post** and **balustrade** layout on the stringer, and use a **temporary access stair** so the house stays usable. **Pre-assembly** in the shop keeps **tread and riser** installation fast. Only need a new stair? See custom wood staircases [/custom-wood-staircases-toronto/ →](/custom-wood-staircases-toronto/) . Building commercially? See commercial stair contractors [/commercial-stair-contractors-toronto/ →](/commercial-stair-contractors-toronto/) . Know Before You Buy ## 5 Signs Your Toronto Staircase Needs a Custom Railing Upgrade On this page these are the signs that the problem goes deeper than the railing, and a full stair and railing replacement is the better spend. 1. Sign 1 ### Stringers that crack, sag or pull away If the stair moves under you, not just the rail, the structure is failing. New balusters won't fix a stringer. 2. Sign 2 ### Risers that aren't the same height Old stairs that were patched over the years often have one tall or short step. It's the one people trip on, and OBC 9.8 won't accept it on a rebuild. 3. Sign 3 ### Headroom you duck under Basement and bungalow stairs in Long Branch, Roseland and Bay Ridges often have low headroom that a new layout can fix. 4. Sign 4 ### Treads that are split or rotted One cracked tread can be replaced. When most of them are cupped, split or soft, a new stair costs less than patching. 5. Sign 5 ### A guard that can't be brought to code If the stair can't physically take a 900-965mm handrail and 100mm spacing, the stair and railing need to be designed together. Straight Answers ## 4 Reasons Homeowners Delay a Full Stair and Railing Replacement A full replacement feels like a big disruption. Here's how it actually goes. ### Living Can we live at home? Yes, with temporary access and shop pre-assembly shortening site days. ### Trades Why not hire a carpenter and a railing company? In our opinion two contractors for stair and railing is where gaps appear; one shop owns both. ### Scope Do I really need a whole new stair? Do I need to replace the whole stair? We show when railing-only is enough, and we'll tell you honestly. ### Code Will I be forced into code upgrades? Code upgrades: replacement triggers current OBC 9.8 guards; we draw them in from day one. Our 5-Step Process ## How Our Full Stair and Railing Replacement Process Works in Toronto, 5 Steps The same five steps on every job, from a one-tread refinish to a curved foyer stair. You see drawings and a written scope before anything is cut. 1. Step 1 ### In-Home Consultation With Material Samples Our lead tech visits your Toronto or GTA property with glass swatches (12mm vs 15mm), wood grain boards and iron patina samples, then laser-measures rise, run and stringer angles. We inspect stringers, treads, headroom and framing, and tell you whether railing-only or full replacement makes sense. 2. Step 2 ### Permit-Ready CAD Drawings and OBC Compliance We draw every project to OBC Section 9.8 (residential) or Section 3.4 (commercial): 900-965mm handrail height, 100mm max baluster spacing, 42-inch guard on drops over 600mm. You approve every reveal before metal is cut. We never promise permit approval. One CAD drawing set covers the new stair and railing together, ready for a single permit package. 3. Step 3 ### Written, Itemised Scope Design fee, CAD drawings, materials, fabrication and install are itemised separately in writing. Stair, railing, design, CAD, demolition, temporary access and install are separate lines. Some Toronto shops over-charge for tread milling thinking clients won't check other quotes. We publish our CAD bands so you can. 4. Step 4 ### In-Shop Fabrication in Etobicoke Under founder Michael Bennett's supervision our crew mills rough-sawn hardwood, TIG and MIG welds every metal joint and dry-fits full spans on shop jigs at our 6,000 sq ft Etobicoke facility. Stringers, treads and the balustrade are built and pre-assembled together in the shop. 5. Step 5 ### On-Site Install and Walkthrough Clean assembly on site, usually 1 to 4 days, with a vacuumed stair run and a maintenance walkthrough. Trust us, you're in good hands. Old stair out, temporary access in, new stair and railing installed, usually in 3-5 site days. Published CAD Pricing ## Full Staircase and Railing Replacement Cost in Toronto, Published in CAD A full replacement combines a staircase band with the railing priced per linear foot. Here's how the two add up. ### Stair & Railing Replacement (staircase band + railing per lin ft) | Staircase (straight to curved) | $8,500-$45,000 | | --- | --- | | Railing add-on | $75-$350 / lin ft by material | Combined quote itemises stair, railing, design, CAD and install separately. ### Estimate Your Stair & Railing Replacement Budget Pick a system, enter linear feet or treads, and see the published CAD budget band. Select Railing or Stair System Powder-Coated Aluminum ($75-$155 / lin ft)Interior Wrought Iron ($95-$185 / lin ft)Exterior Scrollwork Wrought Iron ($145-$225 / lin ft)Cable Stainless ($145-$215 / lin ft)Glass Spigot / Framed ($150-$225 / lin ft)Stainless ($175-$285 / lin ft)Frameless Glass with Standoffs ($225-$350 / lin ft) Straight Wood Staircase, 13-15 treads ($8,500-$14,500)L-Shape Staircase ($12,000-$18,500)U-Shape Staircase ($15,000-$24,000)Spiral Staircase ($12,500-$26,000)Floating Tread Staircase ($18,500-$38,000)Curved Staircase ($22,000-$45,000) Basic Sand / Restain ($65-$95 / tread)Dustless Water-Based Poly ($85-$125 / tread)Full Strip / Restain ($110-$140 / tread)New Tread Replacement ($145-$225 / tread) Linear Feet or Treads Linear feet for railings, treads for refinishing. Estimated Budget Band (CAD) $5,625 - $8,750 Priced on 25 linear feet Includes shop fabrication, hardware and install. Design fee and CAD drawings are itemised separately on your written quote. Estimates use our published CAD bands and are not a quote; site access, stair rakes, corners and code upgrades can move the price within or outside the band. Get an Itemised CAD Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Want a written follow-up on your number? Use our full cost estimator [/tools/stair-railing-cost-estimator/ →](/tools/stair-railing-cost-estimator/) to send it to our lead tech. ![Group of stair fabricators reviewing a CAD drawing in the Etobicoke shop](/images/misc/group-of-three-stair-fabricators-in-safety-glasses.webp) No-Obligation, Written Quote ## Every Stair & Railing Replacement Job Backed by a Written Workmanship Warranty WSIB registered with $2M liability coverage, and every project drawn in CAD to OBC 9.8 or 3.4 before we cut anything. Book a free in-home consultation anywhere in the GTA. Get Free CAD Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (416) 555-0100 [tel:+14165550100 →](tel:+14165550100) - ✓ Written workmanship warranty - ✓ Itemised CAD quote, no gated pricing - ✓ WSIB registered, $2M liability Why Choose Us ## Why Toronto Homeowners Choose Our Etobicoke Shop for Stair & Railing Replacement What's included on every stair & railing replacement job: one shop for stringers, treads and railing, one cad drawing set and one permit package, glass, iron, aluminum or wood balustrade matched to the stair, and more. - ### 22 Years of Custom Stair and Railing Fabrication Two decades building stairs and railings together in our 6,000 sq ft Etobicoke facility. - ### One Shop Owns the Whole System Stringers, treads and the balustrade are designed and built together, so nothing falls between two trades. - ### One Drawing Set, One Permit A single CAD package covering stair and railing keeps the permit simple. - ### Stay Home During the Work Temporary access stairs and short site days thanks to shop pre-assembly. - ### Code Drawn In From Day One Current OBC 9.8 rise, run, headroom and guard rules built into the layout. - ### Honest Scope Advice We tell you when railing-only or refinishing is enough and a full replacement isn't needed. ### What's Included With Every Stair & Railing Replacement Project - ✓One shop for stringers, treads and railing - ✓One CAD drawing set and one permit package - ✓Glass, iron, aluminum or wood balustrade matched to the stair - ✓Shop pre-assembly to shorten on-site days - ✓Temporary access stairs for occupied homes - ✓Current OBC 9.8 guards drawn in from the start Recent Work ## Our Stair & Railing Replacement Work Across the GTA Every piece below was cut, welded or milled in our Etobicoke shop before it went into a Toronto or GTA home. Click any photo to enlarge. Customer Reviews ## What GTA Customers Say About Our Stair & Railing Replacement First names and neighbourhoods only, with the real material, size and price from each job. > "Full replacement of our split-level half flights with oak treads and iron balusters. One drawing set, one permit, one crew. $24,300 CAD." Michelle T. Willowdale Split-Level Replacement > "They tore out a 1962 stair and built a new straight run with frameless glass. We lived at home the whole time on a temporary stair. 5 site days." Greg F. Don Mills Stair and Glass Replacement > "New U-shape stair and matching maple handrail with iron pickets, $27,900 CAD itemised line by line. Inspector signed off first visit." Rachel K. Guildwood U-Shape Replacement FAQ ## Stair & Railing Replacement FAQ: 12 Questions Toronto Homeowners Ask ### How much does a full staircase and railing replacement cost? A staircase band of $8,500-$45,000 CAD plus the railing at $75-$350 per lin ft by material, itemised separately. As an example, a straight 14-tread oak stair ($8,500-$14,500) with 20 lin ft of interior iron ($95-$185 per ft) lands roughly between $10,400 and $18,200 before demolition and temporary access. A U-shape with a curved landing and frameless glass sits much higher. Your quote breaks out stair, railing, design fee, CAD drawings, demolition, temporary access and install on separate lines. ### Do I need a new staircase or just a new railing? If stringers and treads are sound, railing-only is usually enough; cracked stringers or failing treads call for full replacement. We check from above and below on the consultation. If the stair is solid, a new railing plus refinishing gives you most of the look for a fraction of the cost. ### Can we stay in the house during replacement? Yes. We set up temporary access and shop pre-assembly keeps site days short. Most families never move out. ### Is one permit enough for stair and railing? We prepare one CAD drawing set and one permit package covering both; we never promise approval. ### Will replacement trigger code upgrades? Usually yes. New stairs and guards are built to current OBC 9.8, which we draw in from the start. ### How long does a full replacement take? About 4-7 weeks of shop work and 3-5 days on site. ### Do you replace split-level stairs in Willowdale and Don Mills? Yes. Multi-half-flight split-levels in Willowdale and 1960s stairs in Don Mills are common full-replacement jobs for us. ### Is the full system covered by one warranty? Yes. One shop, one written workmanship warranty covering stair and railing. ### Can you fix low headroom during a replacement? Often. Re-laying out the stair, shifting the run or changing the landing can gain headroom. We check framing on site and draw options in CAD. ### What railing materials can go with a new stair? Glass, wrought iron, aluminum or wood. They're all built in the same shop, so post locations and fixings are planned into the stringer. ### What happens to the old stair? We remove and dispose of it as part of the job. Demolition and disposal are listed as their own line on the quote. ### Can you replace a stair between a finished basement and main floor? Yes. Basement stairs are some of our most common replacements, often with headroom and code fixes at the same time. Related Services ## Often Paired With Stair & Railing Replacement One shop builds the stair, the railing and the finish, so these are quoted on the same drawing set when you need more than one. - ![Hand-milled white oak staircase with bullnose treads and a walnut handrail](/images/cards/hand-milled-white-oak-staircase-with-bullnose-trea.webp) Popular Here ### Custom Wood Staircases $8,500-$45,000 CAD Straight, L, U, curved, spiral and floating staircases milled from rough-sawn hardwood in our Etobicoke shop. $8,500-$45,000 CAD. Explore custom wood staircases [Custom Wood Staircases →](/custom-wood-staircases-toronto/) - ![Spigot-mounted frameless glass railing along an open upper landing](/images/cards/spigot-mounted-frameless-glass-railing-along-an-op.webp) Popular Here ### Glass Railings $150-$350 CAD / lin ft Frameless standoff, framed top-rail, spigot and base shoe glass railings in CSA A500 12mm-15mm tempered or laminated glass. $150-$350 CAD per lin ft. Explore glass railings [Glass Railings →](/glass-railings-toronto/) - ![Hand-forged wrought iron scrollwork railing on a curved staircase](/images/cards/hand-forged-wrought-iron-scrollwork-railing-on-a-c.webp) Popular Here ### Metal & Iron Railings $95-$285 CAD / lin ft Interior wrought iron balusters, exterior scrollwork, straight-bar modern and custom forged railings, welded and powder-coated in-shop. $95-$225 CAD per lin ft. Explore metal & iron railings [Metal & Iron Railings →](/metal-iron-railings-toronto/) Not sure which system fits your home? Our lead tech brings samples of all of them to your free in-home consultation [/contact/ →](/contact/) , or browse our 14 GTA service areas [/service-areas/ →](/service-areas/) . ![Stair fabrication crew loading a finished white oak stringer at the Etobicoke shop](/images/misc/two-fabricators-in-safety-glasses-carrying-a-finis.webp) Free In-Home Consultation Across the GTA ## Get One Price for the Whole Stair and Railing We inspect the stringers and framing, tell you honestly if railing-only would do, and send a single itemised quote covering stair, railing, demolition and temporary access. Get Free CAD Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (416) 555-0100 [tel:+14165550100 →](tel:+14165550100) - ✓ Written workmanship warranty - ✓ Itemised CAD quote, no gated pricing - ✓ WSIB registered, $2M liability