How much does it cost to install engineered hardwood on stairs in a three-storey Burnaby townhome?

Installing engineered hardwood on stairs in a three-storey Burnaby townhome costs between $3,500 and $8,500 for both flights of stairs, typically 24 to 30 steps total including landings. Stair installation is one of the most labour-intensive flooring projects, and the per-step cost is significantly higher than the per-square-foot cost of installing the same material on flat floors.

The per-step cost in Metro Vancouver breaks down as follows. Materials run $30 to $60 per step for engineered hardwood treads, and stair nosing (the rounded front edge of each step) costs $15 to $40 per piece. Nosing is a critical component because it protects the leading edge of each step from wear and provides a finished look. Custom-matched nosing from the same manufacturer as your flooring is ideal but more expensive. Universal nosing profiles cost less but may not be a perfect colour or grain match. For 26 steps plus 2 landings, materials alone run $1,200 to $2,800.

Labour is where stair installation gets expensive. Each step requires precise measuring, cutting, and fitting of the tread, riser, and nosing. The installer must remove existing carpet, staples, or old treads, check the stringer and substructure for levelness and squeaks, apply construction adhesive, and in many cases both glue and nail the treads for a secure, squeak-free result. Labour runs $50 to $120 per step in Metro Vancouver, putting the labour total for 26 to 28 steps at $1,300 to $3,360. Experienced stair installers charge at the higher end because quality stair work requires precision carpentry skills that go beyond standard floor installation.

Old flooring removal on stairs adds to the cost. Removing carpet, padding, and the hundreds of staples beneath is tedious work at $15 to $30 per step, adding $400 to $840 for both flights. If the stairs have painted treads or old vinyl, removal costs are similar. If there is old hardwood that needs to come off, expect $20 to $40 per step.

Burnaby townhomes present some specific considerations worth budgeting for. Many three-storey townhomes in Burnaby's Metrotown, Brentwood, and Lougheed areas are strata properties, and changing stair flooring from carpet to hardwood can significantly affect sound transmission between units. If your townhouse shares walls or floor/ceiling assemblies with neighbours, your strata will likely require an alteration agreement and may specify acoustic requirements. Strata application fees add $200 to $500, and if acoustic underlayment is required beneath the stair treads, that adds $2 to $5 per step in materials.

Another Burnaby-specific factor is that many newer townhomes have open-riser or floating staircase designs, which are more complex and expensive to clad in hardwood. Open risers require finishing both the top and bottom of each tread, and floating staircases often have non-standard dimensions that require custom fabrication. If your staircase has an open design, add 30% to 50% to the estimates above.

For the engineered hardwood product itself, choose a species and finish that matches or complements your main floor. Stairs take enormous wear, so a hardwood with a thick wear layer (4mm or more) and a durable factory finish is important. White oak with an aluminum oxide finish is the most popular choice in Metro Vancouver for its combination of aesthetics and durability. Avoid hand-scraped or heavily textured finishes on stairs as they can be a tripping hazard and are harder to clean.

A realistic budget for a three-storey Burnaby townhome with 26 steps, 2 landings, carpet removal, mid-range engineered hardwood, and custom nosing is approximately $5,000 to $7,000 all in. If you are also installing hardwood on the flat floors, most installers offer a better rate when stairs and floors are done together as one project. Vancouver Floor Installers can match you with stair installation specialists in Burnaby for free estimates.

---

Find a Flooring Contractor

Vancouver Floor Installers connects you with experienced contractors through the https://vancouverconstructionnetwork.com:

• Luvipe Excavation Ltd. ✓
• Theraluxe Home Wellness ✓
• SRS Roofing & Exteriors ✓