Finishes ยท Toronto
Staircase Renovation in Toronto
The staircase is usually the first thing you see inside the front door. Replacing closed walls and dated spindles with open treads and glass changes the whole entry. In Toronto, much of the housing is pre-war: narrow semis and detached brick houses with plaster walls, old wiring and shared party walls.

Scope
What is included.
- New hardwood treads and risers
- Glass, metal or wood balustrades
- Opening enclosed staircases
- Relocating or reshaping a stair
- Handrails and guards to Building Code
- Matching stair finish to new floors
Cost
What it costs.
From $2,300
Most projects in Toronto: $2,300 to $13,000
What moves the price
- Refinishing existing treads or replacing them
- Railing type: wood, metal or glass
- Whether the stair is moved or reshaped
Prices are in Canadian dollars before HST, as of October 2026. Every project is confirmed with a written quote after a site visit.
Local knowledge
Staircase Renovation in Toronto.
Homes like these
Older houses have plaster walls, uneven floors and original trim, so finishing work includes levelling, repair and matching existing details.
Housing
In Toronto, much of the housing is pre-war: narrow semis and detached brick houses with plaster walls, old wiring and shared party walls.
Permits
Building permits in Toronto are issued by the City of Toronto (Toronto Building). We prepare the drawings, submit the application and book the inspections.
Areas we cover
We work throughout Toronto, including Leaside, The Annex, High Park, Riverdale, The Beaches, Forest Hill and Lawrence Park.
Suites and multiplexes
Toronto permits laneway suites, garden suites and, on most residential lots, up to four units in a house. That makes basement apartments and rear additions more feasible here than in many suburbs.
Tight lots
Narrow lots and shared walls mean additions and underpinning often need a minor variance or a neighbour's cooperation, so the approvals take planning.
Before you start
What to know.
Building Code
Rise, run, headroom, handrail height and guard strength are all regulated. A stair that is rebuilt or moved has to meet current requirements.
Permits
Refinishing or re-cladding an existing stair usually needs no permit. Moving a staircase or cutting a new opening in a floor is structural and does.
Glass
Glass guards use tempered or laminated safety glass and tested fixings, and they need a solid structure to anchor to.
How we work
One team for every stage.
- AssessWe survey the house as it stands.
- Design and permitsDrawings and approvals before work starts.
- Strip-outWhat is worn out comes off.
- RebuildStructure, wiring, plumbing and walls.
- FinishesCabinetry, tile, floors and paint.
- HandoverWalkthrough and documents.
Questions
Staircase Renovation in Toronto: the short answers.
- How much does staircase renovation cost in Toronto?
- With Zigma Group, staircase renovation starts from $2,300, and most projects fall between $2,300 and $13,000. Prices are in Canadian dollars before HST, as of October 2026, and are confirmed after a site visit. The main factors are refinishing existing treads or replacing them; railing type: wood, metal or glass; and whether the stair is moved or reshaped.
- Can an existing staircase be updated without replacing it?
- Often, yes. New treads, a new balustrade and handrail can transform a sound staircase without rebuilding its structure.
- Are glass railings safe?
- Yes, when built with safety glass and fixings designed for guard loads and installed to the Building Code.
- Do you do staircase renovation projects in Toronto?
- Yes. We work throughout Toronto, including Leaside, The Annex, High Park, Riverdale, The Beaches, Forest Hill and Lawrence Park. Call +1 (647) 718-3913 to arrange a visit.
- Who issues the permit for this work in Toronto?
- Where a permit is needed, it is issued by the City of Toronto (Toronto Building). We prepare the drawings and handle the application and inspections.
Book a consultation
Tell us what you want to change.
Call or email and we will arrange a visit. We work across the Greater Toronto Area and have been renovating and building homes since 2006.