I think it looks nice and wouldn't want to change it at this point. Much simpler to use a leaf blower when needing to sweep a deck or steps.

or just sweep them the rest of the way down. :)

Your staircase has a closed stringer. I agree the staircase should have had an open stringer like you see below.

It's too costly to change it now, but it would have been easier to keep the steps clean with the open stringer.

You've got a much nicer looking and more expensive installation than a run-of-the-mill open stringer job.

This is not the time to change this now, he would have to replace all treads and risers, not to mention this should have been discussed prior.

Every builder has their way of finishing stairs, my brother does it the same way as your stairs, this is a faster and simpler way of doing it...

I do my stairs with an open stringer, it involves more work and is a little more time-consuming.

In the end, it's all about personal preference and the look you want.

That being said, he did a nice job, looks nice, neat, and clean, he added an extra 1x4 trim board at the bottom which adds a nice detail... if anything, and if I had done it this way, I would have raised that 1x4 and run it continuously around the landing and the entire length of the deck to give a nice appearance throughout.

Good luck

There is space visible between the bottom rail and the stringer in at least one view. But, yes, it does seem a bit odd.

If they installed the skirt before the railing, they had to keep the bottom rail up to attach brackets to the post.

In addition, the bottom rail is usually supported and rides on treads, since they have the bottom rail up, and depending on the railing system they used, if there is no aluminum support channel inside the lower rail, there should be a block installed in mid-span to prevent the lower rail from saggin.