Three times as long as you think is reasonable and costs twice as much

One big reason stair conversion from carpet to wood treads is because of riser height. Two factors make riser height the most important measurement with stairs. First is building codes and second is muscle memory.

Most folks have stepped on an staircase(often a concrete outside walkway in a park). And found the first few steps on the stairs is different than they expected. The surface of the step is lower than expected, causing an uncomfortable tilt.

Building codes(also common sense) dictate stair steps be as similar as possible. 7&3/4" is the maximum riser height. I always designed stairs to have a 7" riser height. This is necessary to prevent(or at least lessen) stumbling when going up or down stairs.

The tread/riser dimensions are determined by the stringer construction. When stairs are to be carpeted, those dimensions are cut into the stringers, to include tread thickness. Example: designer wants a 7" riser height. The tread thickness to be used (usually construction lumber) is 1&1/2" thick. The stringers are cut so the riser height is 7" with the treads installed.

The riser height for the bottom and top riser heights is also figured to have the same riser height as the rest of the treads(code allows 3/8" difference).

What you want to do is install new treads(since the original treads are lumber). Hardwood treads are usually 1&1/8" thick.

Simply adding new treads over the original means an extra 1+ inches, making the bottom step riser height over 8"---that will cause stumbles or falls. The top step will now be 1+ inches shorter, under 6", again causing stumbles. Plus the 1" difference does not meet the 3/8" variance by code.

That means changing stairs from carpet to wood treads has to be done by removing the old stairs to include stringers and new stringers cut and installed. End result will be completely new stairs with wood treads and code compliant(and safe) riser heights.

Time for that, depending on railings/trim/etc. would be at least 2-3 days.

We replaced our carpeted stairs with solid wood treads and risers (the treads under the carpet were particle board). We used pre-finished treads and risers, and our contractor completed the job in a day. It would have taken longer if the stringers had to be replaced, or if the stairs were site-finished.

I really appreciate everyone for your advice!

I installed laminate floor a year ago, and was thinking to replace my stairs with exactly the same type of laminate pattern. So I went to ask the guy who sold me the floor, he said it's about $1200 to replace carpet into the laminate I wanted. I need to purchase extra "nose" for the stairs.

He said the job will be done in one day.

I feel like aesthetically, this may be the way to go, to make both downstairs floor and the stairs consistent looking. However I am not sure if this practice is normal or not.

Any thoughts for this? :)

I've seen the laminate replacement treads at trade shows. Neat stuff. Sounds like your guy has done this before.

Joseph, he told me that "people do this all the time!"..

People that ignore the codes about that 3/8" allowable height difference and don't pull permits might ''do it all the time''. Under the radar. With a tail light warranty. And then the homeowner has a nasty shock at resale when it wont pass inspection with the out of compliance stair. Or, they get sued by someone falling down the stairs and hurting themselves.