That does not look right. Here's mine before it was stained to give you an idea.

Here it is finished from the other side

The landing doesn't look right either. It should also have a lip with the post on top of it.

We had a new oak staircase installed a few years ago by a fabulous carpenter who only installs staircases. I spent a lot of time finding this carpenter: did lots of research, looked at their portfolios, and interviewed several. The carpenter we chose worked by himself, and did a superb job. He spent a lot of time matching the staircase stain to our Italian porcelain wood look tile flooring. We are quite happy with the outcome! Enclosed are pictures: no gapping.

Appreciate the responses.

@kculbers @cpartist beautiful staircases!

@cpartist would you mind to elaborate on your comment regarding a lip with post on top of it?

I also found the piece on the last riser before landing odd (circled in photo), and not sure how that would even work as we discussed the risers and stringer(?) being white with treads stained (though not completely decided).

@ppf that's very helpful, thank you. We've found it odd from the get go that the bottom half is open stringer while the top has a knee wall (story for another day) as it seems it's usually one or the other on both. Not sure if that's affecting any of the things you mentioned from a technical standpoint, though it doesn't sound like it. I've not really found any examples where the post isn't integrated.

The stained piece running along the side of the bridge (but only on the one side) also seems odd (though this has all just gone up and I can only assume they don't intend for that to stay stained as opposed to painted white). It's obviously not finished yet but the post was the first thing I noticed that seemed especially odd.

Thanks again for the help.

It appears to be missing the tread nosing at the landing?

I also found the piece on the last riser before landing odd (circled in photo), and not sure how that would even work as we discussed the risers and stringer(?) being white with treads stained (though not completely decided).

Agree.

I believe tread nosing and all that's yet to come as treads/risers/etc are not yet stained/finished (I know they have the parts). Painter wanted to do treads etc after railing for whatever reason. It's still very unfinished and a work in progress. The railing just went up yesterday.

Are you saying some of this will be painted -- only the treads (and railing?) will be stained?

Sounds like a meeting with your contractor is needed to discuss the problems and finalize the plan to complete.

This skirtboard should tuck under the cap and the cap should overhang it just a bit.

Thanks, PPF. Yes, that was what we were leaning toward. Is that gap between top riser and landing unusual, as well? Obviously not completed yet so maybe getting ahead of ourselves but seems like an awfully large gap