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Big Bro Hardwood is an owner-operated stair contractor serving Burr Ridge, IL. We refinish, repair, and install stairs, all under one roof. Stairs take more daily wear than any other surface in the house, and in many of Burr Ridge’s established single-family homes and older colonial or Tudor-style properties, there is solid oak or maple hiding beneath carpet, a runner, or layers of old paint that is absolutely worth uncovering.
We sand and refinish worn treads and risers, tighten loose railings, balusters, and newel posts, track down squeaks at the source, and match the wood to your existing floors. When a staircase needs more than refinishing, we install new treads or build a custom staircase from scratch. Call us for a free in-home estimate, typically scheduled within 24 hours, anywhere in Burr Ridge and nearby suburbs.
Detailed Stair Layout Planning
Repairs Completed Before Refinishing
Existing Stairs Preserved When Possible
Owner-operated Company
Wood and Metal Railing Options
Hardwood stairs are a smart choice when you want a stair system that looks clean, feels solid, and can be restored instead of thrown out. For many homeowners in the Burr Ridge area, the best move is not full replacement but the right mix of stair repair, refinishing, or stair installation based on the condition of the existing staircase. If the core structure is still structurally sound, well-planned work can improve safety, restore beauty, and protect the value of the property.
Our process is built to make stair projects easier for homeowners who want clean work, clear steps, and no confusion about what happens next. Whether the job involves stair repair, dustless stair refinishing, or full stair installation Burr Ridge homeowners can trust, we start with the condition of the staircase and build the right plan from there.
Timeline at a glance for stair installation and refinishing:
12 to 14 steps12 to 14 steps + railingsMeasure and Plan
We start by looking at the full staircase, not just the visible wear. Our team checks the stair treads, risers, handrails, and stair railings to see whether the job needs repair, refinishing, or staircase installation. This first step helps us build customized solutions for your specific needs and explain the entire process with clear communication.
Protect the Home and Prep the Area
Before work begins, we protect the surrounding space and prepare the surface for the next stage. For residential stairs, good prep matters because it helps limit mess and keeps the work area safer during installation or refinishing. This is where our local expertise and reliable service make a difference for lived-in homes across the Burr Ridge area.
Handle Repairs First
If we find loose parts, worn edges, squeaks, or other structural issues, we address them before finish work starts. A proper stair repair in Burr Ridge may include wood stair repair, stair handrail repair, stair nosing replacement, stair post replacement, staircase spindle replacement, or stair riser replacement. Taking care of these repairs early helps prevent future damage and reduces the chance of a safety hazard.
Sand, Refinish, and Restore
When the existing hardwood stairs are still usable, we move into stair refinishing. This step may include sanding the worn surface, refinishing stairs, stair tread refinishing, refinishing stair railing, or refinishing wood banister sections that need a cleaner look. The goal is to restore the natural beauty, improve visual appeal, and create long-lasting results without replacing more than necessary.
Install or Replace What Is Needed
Some stair projects need new parts instead of surface work. We can complete stair installation, hardwood floor installation on stair systems, hardwood flooring on stairs installation, wood stair tread replacement, handrail replacement, or updates to a custom staircase that needs a better fit for the home. We use high-quality materials and focus on quality craftsmanship so the finished stairs look right and feel durable under daily use.
Final Check and Walkthrough
At the end of the project, we review the completed work with the homeowner and confirm that all finished areas are ready for use. This final check gives you a chance to look at the staircase, ask questions, and make sure the work matches the approved scope. It is also where our experienced team provides support and closes the job with the kind of professional detail people expect from stair services in Burr Ridge.
The cost of stair refinishing, stair repair, and stair installation in Burr Ridge depends on the scope of work, the number of stairs, and whether the project includes carpet removal, new stair treads, or updates to railings and handrails. The table below gives homeowners a clear starting point for common stair services before an on-site visit and final free estimate.
| Service | Typical Use | Labor from | Includes labor | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair tread refinishing | Existing hardwood stairs with finish wear | $100 per tread | Sanding, prep, refinishing of exposed stair treads | Major repairs, stain changes beyond scope, railings, handrails |
| Stair tread refinishing with carpet removal | Carpeted stairs being restored to wood | $130 per tread | Carpet removal, prep, sanding, refinishing of tread surface | Major repairs, risers, railings, handrails, extra disposal if needed |
| Stair tread + riser installation | New stair installation or partial replacement | $150 to $300 per step | Cut-to-fit installation, tread and riser fit, nosings, adhesives | Handrails, balusters, custom trim, stain and finish work unless listed in bid |
| Stair repair | Loose, squeaky, or damaged stairs | Per bid | Scope depends on the needed repair and affected components | Finish work outside scope, custom fabrication, full staircase installation |
| Stair railings and handrails | Repair, update, or partial replacement | Per bid | Labor depends on layout, connections, and amount of detail work | Major structural rebuilds, custom metal or specialty parts unless listed |
Pricing shown is labor only unless noted otherwise. Final cost is confirmed after an on-site visit, when we review the condition of the staircase, the amount of prep, and any needed repairs or custom work. For a rough estimate you can use our hardwood floor calculator.
Add-ons:
Custom stain matching
Per bid
Baluster or spindle replacement
Per bid
Stairs take more daily punishment than any other surface in the house, and the work that goes into them has to be done right the first time. In Burr Ridge, where homes range from established single-family properties to newer custom builds, choosing a contractor who controls scope, communicates clearly, and delivers clean results makes all the difference.
Stair work happens right in the middle of your home, not in a garage or a back room. We use dust-controlled sanding during refinishing and prep, and we protect the surrounding space throughout the job. Whether we are refinishing worn treads, doing wood stair repair, or finishing railings and handrails, the goal is to keep the mess contained so you are not cleaning up long after we leave.
Roughly 80% of our work comes from referrals by past customers or neighbors. That number reflects not just the finished product but how the whole process feels from the first call to the final coat. We have served Burr Ridge and the surrounding suburbs since 2009, and the repeat business and word-of-mouth we earn on every stair project is what keeps us going. Quality craftsmanship speaks louder than any advertisement.
A staircase is a system, not a collection of separate parts. We look at treads, risers, nosing, edges, and transitions together from the start, taking careful measurements and planning cuts and reveals so everything lines up consistently. When each component is fitted with the others in mind, the staircase feels solid underfoot and looks intentional from the bottom step all the way to the landing.
Refinished treads paired with an outdated or mismatched railing rarely look like a finished project. We coordinate handrails, stair railings, balusters, and newel posts with the steps so the color, finish, and style read as one cohesive staircase. If balusters are loose or a newel post has shifted, we address that as part of the same scope rather than leaving it for later. Railing and handrail work is planned alongside the steps, not treated as an afterthought.
Some staircases just need a fresh finish. Others need a squeaky tread re-secured, a baluster replaced, or an entirely new staircase built from scratch. We handle stair repair, stair refinishing, and full staircase installation under one roof, which means you work with one crew and get one clear, itemized estimate. No juggling contractors for different parts of the same job.
Pulling up carpet on stairs does not always reveal refinishable wood underneath. We have found adhesive residue, old fasteners, surface damage, and construction-grade material that was never meant to be seen. Before we confirm a scope, we assess what is actually there and tell you honestly whether the existing treads can be sanded and finished or whether new treads and risers make more sense. The estimate reflects the real condition of your stairs, not a best-case assumption.
A Burr Ridge staircase update with modern handrails and balusters, completed alongside new white oak flooring. See how the stairs tie into the rest of the home.
We removed old floors and did a hardwood floor installation with 5-inch White Oak hardwood in Burr Ridge, updated the staircase with modern handrails and balusters, and refinished the second floor's hardwood. Learn more by reading the full project details and check out refinished White Oak before and after pictures!
Learn moreWhite oak staircases and railings in Burr Ridge, IL, finished natural with Loba 2K Duo. The project included a classic wood-handrail staircase with white risers and a modern staircase with black iron balusters.
A staircase can be a quick refresh or a full rebuild, and most people are not sure which one theirs needs. Usually it is less than they expect. Burr Ridge homes run the range from established single-family colonials and Tudors built in the 1970s through the early 2000s to newer custom estates and lower-maintenance townhomes, so the stair work we see here is genuinely mixed. Here is what we handle most often:
Not sure if your staircase needs a refinish, a few repairs, or something more? That is exactly what the estimate is for. We look at the whole staircase, point you to the smallest fix that actually solves the problem, and will not push a full rebuild when a targeted repair is all you need.
Big Bro Hardwood was an absolute pleasure to work with. BBH refinished our floors, installed new stairs and installed new flooring in our basement. They repaired a few areas as well. The end result is outstanding. I highly recommend. Thank you!Read more
Almost always, yes. Oak from that era is typically solid and thick enough to sand multiple times. We pull the carpet, inspect every tread and riser honestly, and tell you exactly what we are working with before any sanding begins. Some treads have staple holes or surface staining, but those sand out in most cases. If a tread or two needs replacing, we match the species and profile to the rest. Original oak is worth saving far more often than homeowners expect.
Salt and winter moisture are real concerns here. The humidity swings between a cold, dry January and a humid July put stress on wood and finish alike. We use low-VOC Bona and Loba finishes that are formulated for durability in exactly these conditions. Proper surface prep and an appropriate sheen level also help. We will talk through your household traffic and give you practical advice on entry mats and maintenance so the finish holds up season after season.
It depends on the tread thickness and wood species. Some builder-grade treads are thick enough to sand and refinish beautifully. Others are too thin or made from a composite that will not take stain evenly. We inspect the treads in person and tell you plainly which ones can be refinished and which ones are better replaced. If replacement makes more sense, we source solid hardwood treads in oak, maple, or cherry to match your existing floors and the style of the home.
Yes, railing work is priced by the scope of what needs to be done. A formal staircase with many balusters, a large newel post, and a curved handrail takes more time to tighten, refinish, or replace than a simple open rail. We inspect every component, tighten what can be tightened, and replace what cannot. Customization and railing complexity are the biggest cost drivers on a staircase project. Our cost calculator can give you a starting range before we visit.
We remove the carpet and padding, pull the tack strips, and inspect what is underneath. If the existing treads are solid wood in good shape, we sand and refinish them. If they are plywood or too damaged to refinish, we install new hardwood treads over them. Either way, we match the wood species and stain to your nearby floors as closely as the wood allows. We do test staining on the actual treads, not a color card, because every piece of wood takes stain a little differently.
Squeaks can be fixed in most cases. The noise almost always comes from a tread rubbing against a riser or stringer, often because fasteners have loosened over years of use and seasonal wood movement. We find the source of each squeak and re-secure the tread at the structure, not just at the surface. If the substructure has settled significantly, we address that too. Fixing the source rather than masking it is the only approach that holds long-term. Most squeaky stairs feel solid again after we are done.
A close match is realistic in most cases, but we are always honest about the limits. Stairs and floors age and fade differently, so the same stain code rarely looks identical on both. We test stain directly on your actual treads and compare the result to your floors in natural light before committing to a finish. Sometimes the match is very close. Other times we recommend a complementary tone that looks intentional rather than slightly off. We tell you upfront what to expect so there are no surprises at the end.
Yes, in most cases you can stay home. There is noise during removal and sanding, and some dust even with our dust-controlled sanding equipment, so we protect the surrounding space as we work. If the staircase is the only way between floors, we plan the work and coating dry times around your household so you are never fully cut off. A typical stair refinishing project in Burr Ridge runs one to a few days depending on the number of steps, the amount of repair, and the railing work involved. We confirm the timeline in your itemized estimate.
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