I think it looks great as is. I would not paint

Not only are the treads gouged and worn, I truly HATE colonial railings with a passion. I would like a color closer to the floors and less orange.

You can’t find a flooring company that refinishes stair treads? That’s the most profitable part! I don’t understand your dislike of the spindles but I think you need to ask more floor refinishing companies- it is typical to refinish stairs as part of a whole house refinish.

Hate the orange wood finish.

Painting gives you lots of options.

We have two homes, one permanent and the other is a second home near family. Our home of 38 years has stairs and railing much like yours. I love it. Our second home was ”updated” shortly before we bought it last fall . The oak balusters were replaced with trendy iron. I hate it but cannot justify replacing at this time. It is all personal taste. I think that the iron balusters cheapen the look of a warm/cozy home.

I agree you need to keep looking for a company that does it all I have always had a stair compant that does the whole thing since you are basically doing a new staircase this is the time to do the treads maybe just check out the cost of new treads or maybe DIY the refinish and add a runner .if this job seems to be impossible usually trads are more worn in the center so arunner could hide that issue . But really keep looking for proper staircase company who can the whole job . This a huge money job so get the right people .I cannot imagine the new other stuff is only 15K . You are basically doing a brand new staircase .

Wow, the number of spindles is enough to dishearten even the most dedicated DIYer! We are now in our third home and had work done immediately after moving in to make it ”ours,” so we truly love it. I don’t have a suggestion, but wish you success in achieving your goals. It will be worth it once it’s completed!

I am updating my staircase - it has the same railings/newel posts/balusters that yours does - except my balusters are painted white (which does make it look better)I It did have a carpet runner on it - but that's been removed. My staircase is also a switchback like yours - except it is not fully open on both sides + the part upstairs is not nearly as long (or on both sides) as yours is. I am finalizing what I want the end product to look like + obtaining some preliminary bids.

It's unfortunate that they refinished the floors a different color (although, I am having my red oak floors refinished and will be doing a medium brown - I would like the orange removed) - it would have looked better if the staircase was the same color as the floors - at least it wouldn't stand out as much.

How many newel posts and balusters do you have???

That would be a HUGE diy project - so, I understand why you would like to hire the job out to a contractor. I am surprised that you haven't found anyone to do it for a reasonable price.

Before:

After:

Before:

They also had a lot of balusters/newel posts!

After:

You could use a gel stain on the handrail in order to get rid of the orange oak color (since your floors have been refinished). Gel stain is easy.

Here they wanted to change their newel posts (they look similar to yours). They added mdf + trim around them while leaving the part attached to the railing alone (this way the railing did not have to be removed and replaced):

This is their staircase update partially finished:

They covered the risers with hard board (thin) in order for them to be smooth when painted white. FYI - you can see that they are trying a tread cap on the side of the first step. I'm not sure if they were originally thinking about doing a runner - so, they would only need the tread caps along the sides.

After (they are in the process of adding whole tread caps - I think they had carpet previously - these might be lvp to match their floors - but you can purchase oak ones + stain to match your floors):

There are quite a few tutorials out there that show how to makeover your oak banister and newel post. This one provides exact cut sizes for each piece of mdf that was added around the current newel posts. They also either painted the handrail or used a dark gel stain (no sanding required) + replaced the balusters to simple wood square white ones:

Here is another person who wrapped their newel posts in order to update their staircase newel posts:

Another example - $75 - however, you'd have a bit more cost for materials based upon how many newel posts you have:

Here is one where they painted all balusters white + used either paint or gel stain to change the the color of the newel posts to a dark espresso or black in order for the staircase to work with their refinished wood floors:

Just some ideas in case you are unable to find someone to redo everything for you. You could also hire someone to do any of the above. The person wouldn't need to have the same skill level in carpentry to complete the above changes vs. someone who was refinishing + replacing the entire handrail + all newel posts and balusters.

I've also seen staircase updates where they painted the tread and riser white (I think they used porch paint or something more durable) - many added a runner down the staircase = only the sides were exposed when finished.

Thanks for the pictures. We did find someone who is willing to sand the treads, restain, also fill the grain, prime and paint the risers and stringers. Woo hoo!

Also, we are going to replace 7 newel posts and 151 balusters! I don’t want plain rods without an added knuckle. Might look like a prison! Working on a simple pattern. Decisions!

PS Our newels are cut into the stringers. Can not be wrapped without cutting into the stringers and railing.

We found the person who had remodeled this house three years ago. He put in a new kitchen and refinished the floors. He is going to sand and stain the treads. Paint risers and stringers. Stair company is doing the new newels and railing. Also the baluster install. The whole process is stalled because we can’t not decide on the balusters. My husband likes the black metal ones, 1/2” square with a knuckle (single or double). Thinking the traditional knuckle might be too big. We found one with a rounded knuckle. Smaller and simpler but the company said they might not have a shoe for the bottom. Then, figuring out the pattern that will have interest, but not overwhelm.

Would suggest doing an online search for "stair companies" in your area. You should be able to find someone who specializes in stairs who can either replace your stair and railing or install a new stair and railing to your liking.