I agree, it does look like an oopsie. Why wasn't the baseboard extended to the end and notched out to fit under the tread?

I would bring the baseboard all the way across the final step...you can trim/notch the top if it doesn't fit under the tread. Finish the 2nd step with trim as you did the top step, instead of bringing the trim down the way you have it.

Your molding does looks a bit off. I had a new oak staircase installed a few years ago, and used simple narrow molding. Of course, your area for molding is a bit more complicated. I attached a possible fix, in my hand drawn picture: remove the wide molding at floor level, and install the narrow molding in the areas I have in pink.

I might be thinking the same thing as wishiwereintheup. It would look something like this. I feel like this still looks weird?

so maybe also remove the piece of thin vertical molding as well?

Seattle's 2nd pic!

I agree! Seattle’s 2nd picture.

No baseboard on the side of the stair. Have the baseboard die into the stair where it meets the wall.

that is some horrendous finish work. up close it's just sloppy. caulk shouldn't be used to fill holes. wood filler is used. then it's sanded. primed, then painted. caulk if for the large gaps next to floor and other wider spots.

I agree though, the way the trim work is done is all wrong.

Diff ways to do it. I'll post pics so you can see.

This should have been done as the stairs were being built/remodeled. Going to be difficult to do now that things are finished.

I'd remove much of what is there and add a board (or boards) shaped like this. They need to be mitered into the risers, not just applied on top of what's there now.

And the skirtboards and base should be integrated. What's there now looks like someone worked on the stair and then the base trim was added later.

And the light switch by the door should have been moved to the left away from the casing.

Hello, B P. Many good responses. Where are you?

Hello, I cannot thank everyone enough for the feedback, I am pleasantly surprised by all the great feedback and effort everyone put in. Essentially we were doing a big renovation and the stair was rounded on the end and we decided to square it off,. We did not realize it was going to look like this until it ias too late. I am going to show a new contractor some of these suggestions to see what can be done. Thank you to all !! I hope it's not too late to fix