Like many homeowners in the Greater Indianapolis area, my clients were ready to update their 1990s home. A staircase remodeling project was part of the plan, and they were planning to do it themselves. They found balusters they liked, but after fully contemplating the scope of the project, they reached out to me. Remodeling a staircase is a complex undertaking, especially since the newel posts are attached to the floor joists under your home’s flooring and subflooring. In my eyes (and in my clients’), hiring an expert for this type of job is worth the investment.

We worked on the design together, incorporating architectural details that complemented the rest of the home. We went with cherry wood for the newel posts, handrails and baseplates – my favorite type of wood to work with. Its natural beauty increases over time – who doesn’t appreciate getting better with age?

One challenge in a staircase remodeling project is replacing the newel posts. Since tearing up the whole house is not usually what my clients are looking for, I have come up with a system that maintains the structural soundness of the post while updating the look. Instead of removing the post, I custom craft a sleeve that fits perfectly over the existing post. My clients get the look they want without the cost or annoyance of remodeling down to the floor joists. Remember, newel posts are not just at the end of the stair run – some staircases can have 5-6s. Once the project is complete, one knows that the posts were covered – the design blends seamlessly with the rest of the staircase while ensuring the structural integrity.

The staircase remodel also included a new standard cherry handrail and baseplate that we stained to match the custom post. Adding new elements required all new holes, another highly technical part of staircase remodeling. Precise measuring of the entire run, as well as each section, is necessary to ensure everything is equally spaced and straight, even on the slope.

I have been in the staircase remodeling business for over 10 years now and have perfected my process over that time. Hiring a professional ensures you get the look you want with the structural integrity you need – all in a timely manner so your family is not inconvenienced. If you are considering a staircase remodel, reach out to me. Send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.