As a stair builder I just got a quote for 36% for unskilled labor and 15% for journeyman. I've gotten quotes from several places. If one is quite a bit lower than the others I'd be worried that they have you under a wrong classification. I've been told that lately there has been an increase in...
It takes some practice but put your work piece next to where it needs to go and use a compass to translate the curve or angle onto the work piece then cut your work piece. One thing to keep in mind is to always keep the compass parallel with the direction the work piece will be going.
Too busy to finish is a really bad excuse. No one likes to pick up where someone else left the job. Also unless you live in Mexico or something $120 for a days work is not an incentive especially if it has to be shared amongst two people.
I started out doing custom sand and finish hardwood floors. Staircases seem to be a good mix of labor and gratification for me. Flooring was too much labor and not enough gratification for me.
I'm a custom stair builder and realize that stairs can be a complex part of a flooring job so I'd like to offer my expertise and answer any questions that you may have.
I wonder why the contractor chose to use two different style posts. He has ones with square bottoms up top and round ones at the bottom of the staircase.