Custom Staircase Installation in Ontario — One-Day Standard, Zero Surprises
C.O.R.S staircase installation is completed in a single day. Not two days, not a week of on-site work — one day from first tread to finished landing guard rail, because your new staircase was already fully assembled and load-tested in our Barrie workshop before it arrived at your home.
What Happens on Installation Day
Morning: Demolition and Preparation (2–3 hours)
- Old staircase demolished — treads, risers, stringers, handrail, balusters removed down to the rough framing
- Subfloor cleaned and flattened to 2mm tolerance — any rotted or damaged material replaced
- Anchor connection points confirmed: top floor joist position verified against engineering drawings; bottom slab or subfloor anchor layout marked
- Rough opening dimension confirmed against workshop measurements — any discrepancy identified and resolved before stringer installation
Midday: Stringer Installation (2–4 hours)
- Steel stringer (or timber stringer, depending on design) positioned and levelled
- Top anchor plate secured to floor joist with specified structural bolts — 4× ½” structural bolts standard; more for wider/heavier stringers
- Bottom anchor plate secured: either Hilti epoxy anchors to concrete slab, or structural bolts to subfloor joist assembly
- Stringer level and plumb confirmed with laser level before tread installation proceeds
Afternoon: Treads, Railing, and Finish (3–5 hours)
- Hardwood treads installed in sequence — glued and bolted through the stringer bracket system, using the same assembly confirmed in the workshop dry-fit
- Railing system installed: glass base shoe secured, glass panels set and tightened; or cable posts anchored and cable strung and tensioned to specification
- Graspable handrail installed at 865–965mm above nosing — wall returns fitted and secured
- Landing guard rail installed if included in scope
- Final finish coat applied to all hardwood treads — Rubio Monocoat or Osmo Polyx, second coat applied on-site
- All debris removed, staircase cleaned, installation complete
Installation Times by Staircase Type
| Staircase Type | Typical Installation Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timber stringer, 12 treads | 4–6 hours | Simplest installation |
| Steel double stringer, 12 treads, cable railing | 6–8 hours | Cable tensioning adds time |
| Steel mono-stringer, 12 treads, glass railing | 8–10 hours | Glass panel setting is precision work |
| L-shape mono-stringer with landing | 10–14 hours | Landing assembly adds significant time |
| Basement staircase replacement | 4–7 hours | Demolition included in time estimate |
OBC Final Inspection
After installation, C.O.R.S prepares the final inspection checklist and coordinates with your municipal building department for the final inspection. All measurements are confirmed: rise height uniformity (max 3mm variation), run depth, nosing profile (10mm radius), handrail height (865–965mm), guardrail height (920mm minimum), infill gap (100mm maximum). We have never had a final inspection failure on a C.O.R.S installation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Staircase Installation
Do I need to be home during installation?
We ask that someone be home for the first 30 minutes (while we confirm rough opening dimensions against our workshop measurements) and at completion for sign-off. You don’t need to be present throughout — most homeowners work from home or make brief check-in visits.
What about my floor finish around the staircase?
We protect all adjacent flooring with construction-grade protection board during installation. Any minor floor scratches from demolition are identified and repaired before we leave.
When can I use the staircase after installation?
The structural components (stringer, treads, railing) are immediately load-bearing after installation. The final finish coat needs 24 hours of cure time before foot traffic — we advise light use only for the first 24 hours and full use after 48 hours.
What if we find a structural problem when demolition starts?
If demolition reveals unexpected structural issues (rotted subfloor joists, non-standard framing) that weren’t visible during the consultation, we stop, photograph and document, and contact you immediately with options and pricing before proceeding. No surprises without authorization.
Book your free installation consultation — we assess your home and provide a written all-in installation quote. Call (705) 623-0371. See our complete Ontario staircase pricing guide.