If your laminate bullnose has an inch to an 1 1/4" overhang you should be OK. Floating floors on a small landing is a little tricky because there is not enough weight to keep it in place when you pivot to up and down. One way is to almost eliminate the normal expansion space.

Were it mine, I'd consider having the one single railing on the right side, and on the left side I'd have either the existing two segments of railing or remove the upper section along the wall as no longer needed. Re the left newel post being too tall, I think the installer needs to verify that the railing height is adequate. The railing appears too low to me. I am not sure you understand the complexity of the installation nor the costs involved. I am of above average handyman skills, but I would never tackle a project such as this. Likely costs are in the thousands.

I don’t have the stair issue you have but yes it’s much safer to have a continuous runner. I do like the images you posted of the custom runners that notch on the landing. Looks much more finished and high end.

We’re moving into a new house and changing out the carpet upstairs and on the stairs. The wooden stairs are a red oak that have ambered over time. We don’t have it in the budget to refinish the treads, spindles and railings. But our goal is a darker gel stain and possible white spindles (4th pic, just with carpet). Upstairs we are putting this Mowhawk smart strand carpet. My question is, do we carry this medium pile/padded carpet down the stairs (in runner form), or do we choose a different lower pile carpet /runner for the stairs? If so, how do you pick a runner that matches well and doesn’t look strange when they join at the top of the stairs? Thanks!