Licensed DC Flooring Contractor
Stair Installation in Washington, DC
Family owned since · projects completed · Lifetime workmanship warranty.
Worn, squeaky, or mismatched stairs are one of the first things a visitor notices in a Georgetown or Capitol Hill rowhome — and one of the hardest details to get right without a contractor who does it often. Purcell's Flooring is a licensed, family-owned stair installation contractor in Washington, DC, replacing and rebuilding treads, risers, and stringers on staircases across the District for over years.
We install two systems, depending on the floor at the top and bottom of the run: solid or engineered hardwood stair treads stained to match your existing floors, and fully waterproof luxury vinyl plank (LVP) stair systems with pre-capped nosing for basements, rentals, and pet-heavy households. Every project starts with a free on-site consultation where we inspect your stringers, measure every tread and riser, and give you an itemized quote.
Cost of Stair Installation in Washington, DC
Stair pricing depends on the material, whether risers and stringers need work, and how many steps are curved or winders. Below are typical Washington, DC ranges for a professionally installed staircase. Every consultation and quote is free and itemized.
| Scope | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood tread & riser replacement (13–16 steps) | $2,500 – $6,000 | Solid or engineered oak, stained to match your existing floor. |
| Waterproof LVP stair system | $2,200 – $5,000 | Pre-capped nosing, matching riser/tread caps — ideal for basements and rentals. |
| Curved / winder / pie-step staircase | +$60 – $120 / step add-on | Each turning step is custom-cut and fitted. Common in historic rowhomes. |
| Stringer & structural repair | Quoted on inspection | Addresses squeaks, sag, or damage found under old treads. |
| Railing & baluster refinishing | Quoted per run | Bundle with tread work for a fully finished staircase. |
Ranges include materials and standard labor. Structural stringer repair, custom railings, and ornate curved staircases price higher. Get your exact number with a free on-site consultation.
Hardwood vs. LVP stair systems
Which system makes sense usually comes down to what's already on the floor at the top and bottom of the staircase, and how much water or foot traffic the stairs see.
- Hardwood treads & risers stay the standard choice for main staircases connecting hardwood floors — we cut, fit, and stain solid or engineered oak treads to match your existing floor, then finish on-site so the color and sheen are seamless.
- Waterproof LVP stair systems use pre-capped nosing pieces engineered for the step edge — a floating click-lock plank alone isn't rated for stair use. This is our go-to for basement stairs, English basement rental units, and households with dogs, since the whole run is 100% waterproof.
- Mixed transitions are common in DC rowhomes with an LVP basement and hardwood main level — we detail the transition at the landing so both materials read as intentional, not mismatched.
If you're deciding between hardwood and LVP for the floors connecting to your staircase, see our hardwood flooring installation and luxury vinyl plank flooring pages for a full comparison. If your treads just need refinishing rather than replacement, our hardwood refinishing service covers that. Want a runner over new or existing treads? See stair runners.
How we install your stairs
- Free on-site consultation: inspect stringers, measure every tread and riser, bring wood or LVP samples
- Help you choose species, stain color, or LVP style to match your existing floors
- Repair or reinforce stringers before any new material goes down
- Cut, fit, and install treads, risers, and stair nosing to each individual step
- On-site stain and finish for hardwood, or capped nosing detail for LVP
- Custom-cut and fit any curved, winder, or pie-shaped steps individually
- Final walk-through and care guidance
Neighborhoods we serve for stair installation
We install and rebuild staircases throughout the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Popular DC neighborhoods include:
Frequently asked questions
Can you install luxury vinyl plank on stairs?
Yes. LVP stair systems use pre-capped stair nosing and matching riser/tread pieces engineered specifically for stairs, since floating click-lock LVP isn't rated for a step edge on its own. It gives you a fully waterproof, pet-proof staircase that matches an LVP floor at the top or bottom of the run — popular in DC basements and English basement rental units.
How much does it cost to replace stair treads in a DC rowhome?
Replacing hardwood treads and risers on a standard 13–16 step staircase typically runs $2,500–$6,000 depending on wood species, whether risers are replaced or painted, and the condition of the stringers underneath. Curved or winder staircases, common in older DC rowhomes, cost more because every tread is custom-cut. We give an exact, itemized number at a free on-site consultation.
Do you match new stair treads to existing hardwood floors?
Yes — matching species, stain color, and sheen to your existing floor is the whole point of a clean stair job. We bring wood and finish samples to your home so you can compare the new treads against your actual floor and railing before any wood is cut.
Can you keep my existing railing and just replace the treads?
In most cases, yes. Treads and risers can be replaced independently of the railing and balusters as long as the newel posts and stringers are structurally sound. We inspect the whole staircase at the free consultation and tell you if anything beyond the treads needs attention.
Related flooring services
Ready to rebuild your DC staircase?
Free on-site consultation across the District. We bring samples, inspect your stringers, and quote it on the spot.